Policy Text
WATCH ORDERS
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/01/89 STANDARD NO. 015 REVISED: 07/06/18
REPLACES: SOP Vacant House Checks 22-01.1 – Rev. 01/01/03; Rev. 05/07/12
OBJECTIVE: To establish policy and procedures for responding to watch orders (i.e., extra
watches, vacant houses, etc.)
POLICY: It is the policy of the Homestead Police Department (HPD) to provide special
attention to requests for watch orders on an as-needed basis.
SCOPE: All employees of this Department shall be governed by the procedures set forth
below.
I. PROCEDURES:
A. Upon the request, this Department will provide periodic security checks of the location
requiring special attention. This practice is not meant to ensure total security of these
locations, but only to provide periodic visual inspection of these locations by Department
personnel.
B. Officers are required to take a signal when conducting a watch order to establish a
permanent record and accountability. Officers are to use the corresponding security
check number when conducting watch orders.
C. Citizens requesting a watch order of their residence/business can fill out an Extra Watch
Request form and submit the request to the Department.
D. The watch orders will remain in effect for the specific times indicated on the form.
E. The officer(s) conducting the watch order shall make every effort to leave a “While You
Were Away” card for the owner identifying that their business/residence was checked
while they were away.