Policy Text
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
GENERAL ORDER
Effective Date: May 11, 2024 Amends - GO 9.1.1 ( September 13, 2023 ) Number: 9.1.1
Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: November Reviewing Authority:
SSD / Fleet
Subject: Agency Vehicles
This order consists of the following:
1. Purpose
2. Policy
3. Definitions
4. Procedures
1. Purpose
The purpose of this order is to regulate assigned and/or agency vehicles and their
utilization.
2. Policy
It is the policy of the agency that individually assigned vehicles are a privilege, not a right.
Individually assigned vehicl es may be agency owned, rented, leased or borrowed . The
Sheriff recognizes that an assigned vehicle program benefits the agency and the
community by avoiding costs as sociated with a pool car fleet, increasing police presence
in the community and allowing on call personnel to respond rapidly when needed.
3. Definitions
A. Agency Vehicle - a vehicle owned, leased, rented, or borrowed by the agency .
B. Agency Vehicle Graphics – any authorized decal or sticker that is affixed to an
agency owned vehicle or trailer.
C. Cargo Area – the entire interior area of a minivan or SUV.
D. Equipment/Fuel Deduction Form (Form 10-1325 ) - a form used to document
reimbursement to the Orange County Sheriff's Office for employees who reside
outside of Ora nge County and who are assigned an agency vehicle in accordance
with this policy.
E. Locking Device – a gun safe, lock box, trunk of vehicle or other device that is
designed to be or can be used to secure and conceal a firearm and that is designed
to be unl ocked only by means of a key, a combination, or other similar means. The
locking device or container must be approved by the Training Section Commander.
NOTE : a pelican case with cable locking mechanism, is not considered a suitable
locking device by this definition.
F. Orange County - the legal boundaries of Orange County, Florida as described by
FS 7.48.
9.1.1, Page 2 of 12
4. Procedures
A. Vehicles will be assigned according to the needs of the agency and vehicle
availability. Assignment and reassignment of agency vehicle s will be determined
by the Division Commander or designee.
B. Operators of agency vehicles shall conform to all Federal, State and County motor
vehicle laws.
C. Operators of agency vehicles shall possess a valid Florida Driver’s License.
Supervisors shall conduct an annual inspection of subordinates for such validation.
D. Agency personnel whose driving privileges have been revoked or suspended shall
immediately report the revocation or suspension to their Division Commander via
chain of command.
E. Members s hall exercise good judgment when using assigned vehicles. Vehicles
will not be operated in such a manner that will cause unfavorable comment or
reflect discredit upon the agency.
F. Collective Bargaining Unit members with assigned vehicles (Limited or Full Use)
shall adhere to Article 17 of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement for
specific provisions regarding agency vehicles.
G. Agency members may transport non -agency personnel in an agency vehicle for
official business only. Deputies shall activate the BWC when any citizen or arrestee
is being transported in an agency vehicle to any location. The BWC will be
activated when the transport begins and deactivated upon arrival at the final
destination. Deputies shall notify communications with the beginning and ending
mileage during the transport. Exceptions to the activation of the camera and on/off
mileage during transport are family members, other agency personnel or civilians
approved t o ride with a deputy per GO 6.2.20 .
Note : Employees may transport family members to home, work, school, or daycare
while enroute to work from home or vice versa. Personnel shall refer to the vehicle
owner’s manual and follow the airbag safety guidelines when transporting family
members.
H. Limited Use Classification
1. Unless designated otherwi se by the Sheriff , Undersheriff, Chief Deputy or
Division Commander, all personnel assigned an agency vehicle are
considered to have limited use of the vehicle.
2. Agency members with assigned vehicles shall adhere to the following.
a. Personnel assigned an agency vehicle may only use it to drive to and
from work if their residence is within 20 miles of Orange County, “as
the crow flies”, to attend community service events with approva l
from their Division Comma nder and to drive to and from a fitness
facility, criminal justice proceeding in conformance with GO 4.3.1.
9.1.1, Page 3 of 12
The twenty (20) miles may not exceed the boundary of an adjoining
county.
b. An age ncy member living in a surrounding county, whose residence
is within 20 miles of the legal boundaries of Orange County,
determined “as the crow flies,” are eligible to drive the vehicle home
if he or she pays a reimbursement fee to the agency . Fiscal
Management shall annually review reimbursement fees. Any
reimbursement fees paid by the agency member will not be governed
by his/her assigned vehicle’s status, such as down time or other
conti ngencies. Agency m embers required to pay reimbursement
shall do so as long as a vehicle is assigned to them. The agency
member who lives outside the county up to 10 miles shall reimburse
the Sheriff $1 5.00 biweekly for this privilege. The agency member