Policy Text
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 105 – Public Safety Officer
Page 1 of 4 TITLE: PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER 105
EFFECTIVE: 07/01/2015 REVISED: 09/05/2025 SCOPE : ALL EMPLOYEES
REVIEW AUTHORITY: ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAU DEPUTY CHIEF
CFA STANDARDS: 1.06 (A-G), 1.07M (A-J)
105.01 Public Safety Officer 105.06 Other Agency Media Release
105.02 Responsibilities 105.07 Media Access
105.03 Authority for Release of Information 105.08 Media Access to Facilities
105.04 News Releases 105.09 News Conferences
105.05 Employee Investigation
Policy: The Public Safety Officer (PSO) provides information released in a factual and
professional manner and in a way not to jeopardize the integrity of an official investigation or
infringe upon the rights of any individual involved. All information sha ll be released in accordance
with Florida Statutes.
105.01 Public Safety Officer: The PSO serves in the City of Kissimmee’s Communications and
Public Affairs Division. The PSO reports directly to t he Communications and Public Affairs
Manager and serves as a liaison between the Department and the news media. [CFA 1.06 – B] The
PSO confirms information of significant interest to the public is properly disseminated in a timely
manner.
105.02 Responsibilities: The PSO prepares written news relea ses related to police incidents and
the Department activities. The PSO shall remain available in order to respond to police scenes.
[CFA 1.06 – C] The PSO shall coordinate the release of information regarding confidential
investigations and operations, vic tims, witnesses, suspects, arrestees, and Department personnel to
the news media in accordance with Florida Statutes. When a public records request is made via
email, the PSO shall send the email request to KPDRecords@Kissimmee.gov so the request is
entered into JustFOIA.
105.03 Authority for Release of Information: The following persons are authorized to release
Department information to the news media: Chief of Police, Deputy Chief s, Division Captains,
and the PSO. When the PSO is not available, a member of the Communications and Public Affairs
Division shall be responsible for releasing information to the media as necessary. News releases
concerning incidents involving Department policy, interpretation of Department policy or any
investigation of an internal nature shall be made by the Chief of Police or designee. [CFA 1.06 –
A, G]
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 105 – Public Safety Officer
Page 2 of 4 Questions involving active investigations shall require the approval of their respective Captain.
[CFA 1.06 – G]
The PSO or d esignee shall notify the Records Supervisor and the City Clerk (involving department
employees) when the news media makes a records request.
105.04 News Releases: The PSO shall complete a written news release regarding police incidents
which are of signif icant interest to the public, or as directed by the Chief of Police, Deputy Chief,
or a Division Captain. All news releases shall contain a tracking number and contact person for
inquiries. The Deputy Chief or designee shall approve all news releases for t he department. All
approved news releases will then be forwarded to the Communications and Public Affairs Division
to be approved before releasing to the media. [CFA 1.06 – D, F]
The news release shall include time, date, location, and nature of the incid ent. This shall be
forwarded to all local news bureaus. Copies shall be sent to Department employees and the
Communications and Public Affairs Division. News releases shall be posted on the Department’s
website and social media sites. They shall be retaine d in accordance with Florida Statutes. [CFA
1.06 – F]
Information which MAY be released to the News Media [CFA 1.06 – F]:
a. The date, time, location, and nature of a reported crime ;
b. The name, sex, age, and address of a person charged with a crime ;
c. The name, sex, age, and address of the victim of a crime, except as noted below ; [CFA
1.07M – G]
d. The time, date, location, circumstances of an arrest and the crimes charged ;
e. A photograph of an arrested person if available ; and [CFA 1.07M – B]
f. Information concerning the identity of a juvenile offender (name, photographs, and
address) if the juvenile was arrested under an offense which, if committed by an adult,
would be a felony; or if the juvenile arrested has been found by a court to have
comm itted three or more offenses which, if committed by an adult, would be
misdemeanors. [CFA 1.07M – B]
Information which SHALL NOT be released includes [CFA 1.06 – F]:
a. The identity of any victim of sexual battery, domestic violence, child abuse or neglect,
stalking, aggravated battery, or witness tampering or any identifying information, which
if divulged, might lead to the victim's identity, residence, or place of employment ; [CFA
1.07M – G]
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT