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Date: 04/01/88 Revision: 05/24/22 Reviewed: 02/07/25 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER , SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCED URE Number: GEN 100.01 Page: 1 of 3 SUBJECT: LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPUTY SHERIFF ; DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILI TIES I. PURPOSE : The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to define the duties and responsibilities of a Law E nforcement Deputy Sheriff . II. SCOPE : This procedure shall apply to those persons sworn as Deputy Sheriffs. III. DISCUSSION : The Sheriff of Hillsborough County, as a Constitutional Offic er of the State of Florida as def ined by Article VIII, Section 1 (d) of the Florida Constitution, and as set forth in Chapter 30.07, Florida Statutes , is empowered to appoint deputies to act under h im/her who shall have the same power as the Sheriff. IV. PROCEDURE : A. Law Enforcement Deputy Sheriff appointees, whose primary responsibilities include the enforcement of criminal, traffic, and penal laws of the State , shall possess at least the minim um requirements established for law enforcement officers b y the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. B. Law Enforcement Deputy Sheriffs shall be knowledgeable of Florida Statutes, traffic laws, Hillsborough County Ordinances, and ap plicable civil laws. C. Law Enforcement Deputy Sheriffs shall be knowledgeable in all Sheriff's Office standard operating procedures and d irectives. D. Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Protect life and property : a. Respond to calls for service and/or ca lls of an emergency nature. b. Respond to calls of a crimi nal nature. c. React to on -view situations of a routine, emergency, or criminal nature. d. Report identifiable or potential hazards. e. Investigate areas of potential or real hazard for possible cor rective action. f. Conduct traffic accident investigations with adherence to Sheriff's Office policy. g. Render aid and assistance to: (1) Injured persons . (2) Stranded persons . (3) Indigent persons . (4) Persons with disabilities (mental or physical) . (5) Any other person(s) where aid and/or assistance is needed or required . 2. Prevent and suppress crime: a. Be observant of all unusual activities. GEN 100.01 05/24/22 Page 2 of 3 b. Make reports of suspicious persons or incidents. c. Be aware of problems of a hazardous or criminal natur e. d. Provide information and assistance to the public. 3. Apprehend violators of the law : a. Investigate felonies and ascertain probable cause in compliance with the Florida Statutes for the arrest or issuance of warrants/capias es for perpetrators of fe lonies. * b. Investigate misdemeanors and ascertain probab le cause in adherence to the Florida Statutes for arrest , diversion, or issuance of capias es/court summons for perpetrators of misdemeanors. c. Issue traffic citations or warnings to violators of tr affic laws. d. Investigate violations of applicable county ordinances and issue misdemeanor summons or referrals. e. Serve court orders, warrants, capias es, and other legal process es when required. f. Testify in courts in a professional and knowledgeable m anner. g. Conduct all investigations in a thorough, logica l, and professional manner to include: (1) Preservation of incident scenes. (2) Locating and interviewing witnesses. (3) Arranging for collection of evidence. (4) Interrogating suspects. h. Appreh end suspects with the necessary degree of force. i. Assist the State Attorney's Office in preparation for prosecution of defendants when requested. * 4. Use of discretion: a. The decision whether or not to arrest an individual for a criminal offense is a basic discretionary decision that is inherent in enforcin g the law. A deputy has the discretion to decide whether or not to arrest a person who is the subject of an arrest. b. Any decision by a deputy not to arrest an offender should only be made after careful consideration and the totality of the circumstances involving the crime and the offender. Deputies should consider the following: (1) Whether the arrest would cause a greater risk of harm to the general public than no arrest. (2) Whether th e arrest would cause harm to an offender who poses no thre at to the public . For example, a juvenile offender whose wrongdoing would best be handled through informal warnings or a talk with the parent. (3) The seriousness of the crime. Discretion shall not be used when the offender commits a felony. c. If an arrest is not made at the time of the offense, the dep uty can complete a direct file or provide the victim a request for prosecution at a later date. d. Should any questions arise concerning a par ticular situation, the deputy involved should confer with his/her supervisor. 05/24/22 GEN 100.01 Page 3 of 3 5. Preserve public order : a. Perform crowd control and traffic control. b. Ensure the tranquility of the community through enforcement of state laws and county ordinances. c. Assist in quelling civil disorders as directed. d. Perform directed duties and functions to preserve pub lic order during natural or man -