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Date: 04/01/92 Revision: 12/12/16 Reviewed: 05/21/25 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER , SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Number: GEN 519.00 Page: 1 of 4 SUBJECT: CRIMINAL ARRE ST WARRANTS; FALSE ARREST; PROBABLE CAUSE PICK -UP ARREST; WRITS OF BODILY ATTACHMENT I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to define guidelines for the proper application, processing, and execution of criminal arrest warrants. II. SCOPE: This shall apply to all Sheriff's Office personnel. III. DISCUSS ION: In arrest situations involving the execution of a criminal arrest warrant or capias the affiant who initiated the warrant is frequently not present. It is therefore paramo unt that when the affiant makes application for the warrant that all available information, which would aid the arresting officer in positively identifying the subject named in the warrant, be included in the body of the warrant. Likewise, when executing an arrest warrant, the arresting officer should ensure that all the identifyin g data of the arrestee matches the identifying data contained in the warrant to prevent the possibility of an improper arrest. IV. PROCEDURE: A. Criminal Warrant Arrests * 1. Arrest warrants are served by sworn law enforcement personnel who have been granted the legal authority to make arrests. 2. When completing the Criminal Report Affidavit, in application for an arrest warrant, the affiant shall include all available inf ormation which would aid in the identification of the defendant. * a. This in formation shall include the defendant's Sheriff's Office criminal records identification number or Tampa Police Department criminal records identification number, date of birth, race, sex, Social Security number, driver license number, and any scars or tattoos, a photograph, if reasonably available, and the amount of bail or any other conditions of release. b. Because positive identification is crucial, the affiant shall make an independent investigation to verify the existence of a defendant's SO# or TPD#, and ensure the criminal arrest record on file is that of the person named in the affidavit. c. When entering warrant information, Warrant Section personnel shall enter into the Sheriff's Office computer system and into NCIC / FCIC, all information appearing on the warrant or capias which would aid in the identification of the defendant utilizing the Master Name Index in the Versaterm RMS System. GEN 519.00 12/12 /16 Page 2 of 4 3. In warrant arrest situations, the arresting deputy and Records Transcription Unit/Communications Bureau pers onnel shall ensure that the identifying data of the arrestee matches the identifying data on the warrant or computer entry of the warrant, including all data in the "remarks fiel d," such as last known address, fingerprint classification, or scars and tattoos. 4. When confirming "computer hits" on warrants from other agencies, Records Transcription Unit/Communications Bureau personnel shall teletype the agency holding the warrant a nd request that agency reply with any additional identifying data on the origi nal warrant which would aid in the identification of the defendant named in the warrant. 5. When confirming a Hillsborough County warrant for another law enforcement agency, Reco rds Transcription Unit/Communications Bureau personnel shall include in the confirmation teletype all data listed on the warrant which would aid the requesting agency in the positive identification of the defendant named in the warrant. 6. The Records Tran scription Unit and the Department of Detention Services shall establish a prio rity of job tasks to facilitate the timely cancellation of warrants from the Sheriff's Office computer and from NCIC / FCIC. 7. In cases when a defendant has been arrested out -of-county on a Hillsborough County warrant, and there is sufficient corroborating information on the warrant to ensure that the criminal arrest record on file is that of the person named in the warrant, the transporting deputy shall obtain a previous booking photo and fingerprint record of the arrestee. This shall be used to ensure a positive identification prior to returning the subject to Hillsborough County. 8. HCSO arrest warrants shall be faxed / e-mailed upon request to other Law Enforcement Agencies f or detainer information purposes. If another agency faxes / e-mails an arrest warrant to HCSO, it shall be executed only after it has been verified in FCIC / NCIC. B. Radio Alerts, "BOLOS" 1. Sufficient probable cause may be established by deputies inve stigating a felony recently reported by another law enforcement agency within Hillsborough County. When doubt exists concerning probable cause, an Assistant State Attorney should be contacted. 2. Sheriff's deputies may stop and temporarily detain persons who fit the detailed description of perpetrators of a crime provided that no arrest shall be made until deputies have established their own probable cause for the arrest. Deputies shall make a continual reasonable effort, using the necessary investigative techniques, to resolve their suspicions, then release or arrest the subject. 3. Requests from other law enforcement agencies which do not provide information that a warrant or capias has been issued shall operate as requests to locate only. Originating a gencies shall be notified when such persons and/or vehicles are located; however,