Policy Text
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
GENERAL ORDER
Effective Date: December 5, 2014 Amends - GO 6.1.0 (March 23, 2012) Number: 6.1.0
Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: March Reviewing Authority:
SOD / Traffic
Subject: Driver License And Vehicle Inspection Checkpoints
This order consists of the following:
1. Purpose
2. Policy
3. Procedures
1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to enhance traffic safety for the citizens and visitors of Orange
County.
2. Policy
It is the policy of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to effectively enforce driver license,
vehicle equipment safety and motor vehicle laws in a consistent and safe manner.
3. Procedures
A. Authorization
All checkpoints will be approved in advance by a supervisor of the rank of
Lieutenant or above. The authorizing supervisor shall read and approve the
incident action plan for the checkpoint prior to the operation.
B. Public Notification
The public will be notified a minimum of 24 hours in advance of a DUI and sobriety
compli ance checkpoint. All other types of checkpoints do not require advanced
notification to the public. The public notification for a DUI and sobriety compliance
checkpoint will give the date of the checkpoint. Notification will be made by a press
release the local news media groups including, but not limited to, newspaper, radio
and television.
C. Incident Action Plan
1. A written incident action plan will be developed for each checkpoint in
accordance with GO 6.2.28 . This plan will be completed and submitted to the
authorizing supervisor no less than 24hours prior to the operation. The
incident action plan will contain at a minimum the following information.
a. Purpose
b. Objectives
c. Time L ine
d. Specific Job Assignments
e. Job Descriptions
f. Staffing Allocation
g. Contingency plan
6.1.0 , Page 2 of 6
h. Placement of lighting, visual signals and/or signs
i. Vehicle selection procedure
2. Written incident action plans for DUI and sobriety compliance checkpoints
will also include:
a. FDOT checkpoint schematic and layout
b. Traffic volume study
3. Each incident action plan will specify the techniques to be used (i.e., driver
license inspection, registration inspection, vehicle equipment inspection,
motorist insurance inspecti on, DUI and sobriety compliance inspection, or a
combination thereof). The purpose and procedures of the checkpoint will be
uniformly applied during the checkpoint operation.
4. Assigned deputies do not have authority to change the incident action plan.
Only the checkpoint supervisor may adjust the incident action plan, and his
or her discretion to do so is limited to changes necessitated by traffic
congestion or exigent or dangerous conditions. The checkpoint supervisor
shall document the reason(s) for any adjustments in the After Action Report.
D. Motor Vehicle Checkpoints
1. Checkpoints may be conducted at any time provided weather and/or road
conditions will not obstruct the visibility of the deputies or motorist. Deputies
must use visual signs and/ or signals to advise oncoming motorists about
checkpoints. Deputies participating in a checkpoint must wear clothing that
clearly identifies them as law enforcement officers to oncoming motorists.
Any checkpoints conducted after daylight hours must provid e adequate
lighting for the purposes of officer safety, general visibility and to advise
oncoming motorists about the checkpoints.
2. A designated supervisor with the rank of corporal or above shall be present
during each checkpoint. The designated check point supervisor shall
determine if a driver license or vehicle inspection checkpoint will be
conducted, taking into consideration the traffic present and resulting delay to
motorists which would result from the checkpoint. The supervisor shall also
be res ponsible for confirming that checkpoint procedures and the incident
action plan are followed by all members present.
3. Vehicle stops will result in the minimum delay required to accomplish the
checkpoints objective.
4. Deputies conducting Driver License Checkpoints shall request from the driver
his/her driver license , insurance and vehicle registration. Violations will be
enforced pursuant to Florida law and agency policy.
5. Deputies conducting Vehicle Inspection Checkpoints shall request the driver
license and vehicle registration from each driver. Deputies shall request
proof of personal injury protection (PIP) insurance if the driver is also the
owner of the vehicle. Deputies shall inspect the following equipment on each
vehicle for violations of FS Chapter 316.
6.1.0 , Page 3 of 6
a. Horn
b. Windshield Wipers
c. Tail Lamps
d. Directional sign als (Required on all vehicles manufactured after
January 1, 1972).
e. Stop lights (One on each side required on all vehicles manufactured
after January 1, 1972).
f. Tires
g. Exhaust System
h. Other readily visible equipment (i.e. windshield, bumpers, etc. )
6. Deputies shall conduct either a Driver License Checkpoint pursuant to
section D -4 above, or a Vehicle Inspection Checkpoint pursuant to section D -
5 above. The purpose and procedures of the specific checkpoint must be
consistently applied to all vehi cles being detained. Deputies may conduct a
DUI and sobriety compliance checkpoint in combination with a Driver License
Checkpoint or Vehicle Inspection Checkpoint, provided the purpose and
procedures of the checkpoint are consistently applied to all vehic les being
detained