Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nLAKELAND POLICE
DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS MANUAL
RUBEN GARCIA
CHIEF OF POLICE\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nFORWARD FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE
By virtue of the authority vested in the Office of the Chief of Police, as set forth by the City
of Lakeland, the Lakeland Police Department hereby establishes a written directive system
that includes the following policies, procedures, rules, and regulations for the administration
and discipline of the Lakeland Police Department and its members.
The Chief of Police reserves the right to alter, amend, or repeal any of these directives, or to
make additions thereto as circumstances may necessitate; and if the occasion demands, to
issue verbal or written orders which shall have the same force and effect as these written
directives.
The policies, procedures, rules, and regulations are intended for the guidance of Department
members as they perform their duties. These directives cannot cover every specific act,
situation, or problem that may arise from time to time to confront members in the
performance of their duties. Therefore, a great deal must be necessarily left to the
intelligence, training, experience, and discretion of the individual member. The exercise of
good judgment and the application of common sense, together with the highest degree of
cooperation by those entrusted with law enforcement, is essential in order for the
Department to accomplish its mission.
To achieve true success, the Department must win and retain the confidence and respect of
the public which it serves. This can be accomplished only by a constant and earnest
endeavor on the part of all members to perform their duties in an efficient, honest, and
business-like manner. By engaging in exemplary conduct and service, members cultivate in
the public’s mind the realization that the Lakeland Police Department is a most vital
requisite to the public well-being and the quality of life for the city of Lakeland.
Each member of this Department should remember that in the execution of their duties, the
member acts not for the good of member but rather for the good of the public. The entire
law regulating each member’s function is based upon this principle. Each member must
always bear in mind that they represent the dignity and authority of the State of Florida, the
City of Lakeland, and the Office of the Chief of Police. It is the primary objective of this
Department to enforce the law in a fair and impartial manner, recognizing both the
statutory and judicial limitations of law enforcement’s authority and the constitutional rights
of all persons. It is not the role of any member of this Department to legislate, to render
legal judgment, or to punish.
The development of a well-disciplined, efficient, and professional law enforcement agency,
which has the confidence and respect of the public, can only be accomplished when each
member realizes their every action, whether part of the member’s official duty or the
member’s private life, is closely observed by the public. It is therefore essential that every
member become familiar with these policies, procedures, rules, and regulations and adhere
to them as rigidly as possible, as each member will be held accountable for their actions.
Ruben Garcia
Chief of Police\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nLakeland Police Department
General Orders Manual Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover Page
Forward by Chief of Police
Table of Contents
Vision – Mission - Values
Chapter 1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
1-1 Organizational Structure of the Department (09/24/2019)
1-2 Authority and Responsibility of the Chief of Police (02/11/2019)
1-3 Commanding Officer Duties (02/11/2019)
1-4 Supervisor Duties (02/11/2019)
1-5 Sworn Officer Descriptions (11/06/2019)
1-6 Sworn Officer Duties and Standards of Conduct (10/25/2019)
1-7 Command Protocol (Previously 1-8) (02/11/2019)
Chapter 2 Administration
2-1 Written Directive System (09/24/2019)
2-2 General Management (09/24/2019)
2-3 Accreditation Management (09/24/2019)
2-4 Strategic Planning (05/12/2020)
2-5 Allocation and Distribution of Personnel (02/11/2019)
2-6 Fiscal Management (05/12/2020)
2-7 Collective Bargaining (02/11/2019)
Chapter 3 Code of Conduct
3-1 Code of Conduct (05/12/2020)
3-2 Code of Ethics (02/11/2019)
3-3 Oath of Office (02/11/2019)
3-4 Flag Courtesy (02/11/2019)
3-5 Uniform and Grooming Standards (10/25/2019)
3-6 Bias-Free Policing (10/25/2019)
Chapter 4 Conditions of Work and Benefits
4-1 Employee Benefits (02/11/2019)
4-2 Social Media (10/25/2019)
4-3 Nepotism and Fraternization (02/11/2019)
4-4 Harassment in the Workplace (10/25/2019)
4-5 Awards and Decorations (07/23/2019)
4-6 Laundry and Dry Cleaning (05/12/2020)
4-7 Lateral Transfers for Specialized Positions (07/23/2019)
4-8 Use and Care of Department Property/Safety Board (02/11/2019)
4-9 Seniority (02/11/2019)
4-10 Administrative Relief from Duty (02/11/2019)
4-11 Drug-Free Workplace (02/11/2019)
4-12 Americans with Disabilities Act (09/24/2019)
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General Orders Manual Table of Contents
4-13 Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens (02/11/2019)
4-14 Secondary Employment (07/23/2019)
4-15 Line of Duty Deaths (07/23/2019)
4-16 Military Deployment and Integration (02/11/2019)
Chapter 5 Human Resources
5-1 Recruitment (02/11/2019)
5-2 Selection Process (10/25/2019)
5-3 Job Classification System (02/11/2019)
5-4 Promotion Procedures (10/25/2019)
5-5 Civilian Promotion Procedures (10/25/2019)
5-6 Performance Evaluations (10/25/2019)
5-7 Grievance Process (10/25/2019)
Chapter 6 Training and Career Development
6-1 Training (12/16/2019)
6-2 Recruit Training (10/25/2019)
6-3 Training Instructors (10/25/2019)
6-4 Field Training Program (10/25/2019)
6-5 In-Service and Advanced Training (10/25/2019)
6-6 Civilian Training (02/11/2019)
6-7 Career Development (Previously 6-3) (02/11/2019)
6-8 Training Center and Firearms Range (03/20/2019)
Chapter 7 Inspections
7-1 Line Inspections (02/11/2019)
7-2 Reserved – Staff Inspections
Chapter 8 Support Services
8-1 Communications (10/25/2019)
8-2 Computer-Aided Dispatch (Previously 8-8) (02/11/2019)
8-3 Crime Scene Reporting Procedures (07/23/2019)
8-4 Records (10/25/2019)
8-5 Court Liaison Office Program (02/11/2019)
8-6 Inventory and Maintenance of Department Equipment (02/11/2019)
8-7 Information Technology; Use and Security (10/25/2019)
8-8 Electronic License and Vehicle Information System (02/11/2019)
8-9 Photographic Media (07/23/2019)
8-10 Property and Evidence (09/24/2019)
Chapter 9 Public Information/Media Relations
9-1 Media Relations (10/25/2019)
9-2 Sexual Offenders and Predators (02/11/2019)
9-3 Community Emergency Notification System (02/11/2019)
Chapter 10 Crime Prevention and Community Relations
10-1 Crime Prevention (04/19/2019)
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General Orders Manual Table of Contents
10-2 Community Involvement (04/19/2019)
10-3 Citizen Advisory Board (05/12/2020)
Chapter 11 Internal Affairs
11-1 Administrative Investigations (05/12/2020)
11-2 Complaint Review Boards (02/11/2019)
11-3 Discipline System (10/25/2019)
11-4 Early Intervention Program (05/12/2020)
Chapter 12 Planning and Research
12-1 Planning and Research (02/11/2019)
12-2 Grants Administration Unit (Previously 12-3) (02/11/2019)
Chapter 13 Crime Analysis and Criminal Intelligence
13-1 Crime Analysis (10/25/2019)
13-2 Criminal Intelligence (10/25/2019)
Chapter 14 Juvenile Operations
14-1 Juvenile Operations (09/24/2019)
14-2 Truancy Interdiction Program (TIPS) (02/11/2019)
14-3 School Resource Officer Program (Previously 14-4) (07/23/2019)
14-4 Intelligence Detective and Gang Liaison Officers (Previously 14-6)
(07/23/2019)
Chapter 15 Special Programs
15-1 Domestic Abuse Response Team (04/19/2019)
15-2 Victim/Witness Rights (07/23/2019)
15-3 Open (Previously Reserve Officers 05/08/2014)
15-4 Auxiliary Programs (07/23/2019)
15-5 Chaplaincy Program (Previously 15