301613

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date : November 6, 2025  Amends - GO 16.1.3 ( April 8, 2024 ) Number : 16.1.3 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: June Reviewing Authority: CID / Division Commander Subject: Criminal Investigations This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide for an efficient use of resources, the efficient flow of information and to provide general procedures for conducting investigative functions in order to achieve the objectives of the Major Case , General Assignment and Investigative Services Sections. 2. Policy It is the policy of the agency to utilize the integrated resources of investigative and patrol functions to maintain an effective criminal investigative function to arrest and convict offenders and to recover stolen property. 3. Procedures A. Components of the Major Case , Investigative Services Section and General Assignment Sections are primarily responsible for centralized, specialized investigative services, including juvenile investigations. See GO 3.1.0 for a detailed description of the Sections and Squads of CID . B. Investigative Specialization Investigative personnel shall be assigned to investigate cases on the basis of their expertise. 1. Serious criminal cases requiring specialized ski lls, knowledge, and abilities shall be assigned to those detectives having the necessary credentials. The intent is to utilize the best qualified detective available for the assignment. 2. It shall be the responsibility of the supervisors to verify cases are assigned to qualified personnel or that assistance is obtained from those who may have more specialized skills. C. Administrative Case Status Every assigned case will be designated as follows, reflecting internal administrative categories designed to assist in case management and control. 1. Case Status a. Active 16.1.3, Page 2 of 25 An open case where the following shall apply: the victim/complainant will be contacted as soon as reasonable, preferably in person, but phone contact is permissible. b. Cleared By Arrest Cleared by the physical arrest of the suspect(s). c. Exceptionally Cleared The case is satisfactorily concluded and prosecution is not being sought. Cases can also be Exceptionally Cleared if the victim in a case declines to assist further even tho ugh the known perpetrator could be prosecuted. d. Filed State Attorney's Office A Charging Affidavit is filed with the State Attorney's Office. e. Closed The case has been concluded or has been turned over to another agency, such as Florida Department of C hildren and Family Services (DCFS) or any other law enforcement agency for further investigation. f. Unfounded The facts of the case reveal that the criminal offense alleged did not occur. g. Inactive/Pending Indicates all available leads have been exhaust ed but the case has not been brought to a conclusion and the investigation has been suspended. Investigative efforts may be resumed if and when new information is received. 2. Case Status Control System Cases assigned for investigation will be assigned i n the Automated Reporting System (ARS) or a case control log, manual or automated. The case control log will contain the following information: a. Case number b. Date offense occurred c. Address of occurrence d. Date case assigned e. Report due date f. Victim's name g. Offense type h. Suspect's name i. Suspect's race and sex j. Suspect's date of birth D. Criteria for Suspending Investigative Efforts The criteria for suspending investigative efforts shall include: 1. The absence of further leads or solva bility factors. 2. Unavailability of investigative resources. 3. The case significance or insufficient degree of seriousness. 4. When new information or evidence develops which upgrades the 16.1.3, Page 3 of 25 assignment value of a previously suspended case, it may be re -opened. 5. All assigned follow -up investigations will be reviewed by the Section/Squad Supervisor prior to the suspension of investigative activity. E. Victim Notification 1. Victims of crimes will be kept informed of the current investigative status by the assigned detective. It will be the detective's responsibility to confirm victims are notified of any changes in the case status including the arrest of any suspect. When a case is inactivated for any reason, the victim will be notified and such notification will be documented. 2. Uniform patrol deputies and detectives assigned to conduct a follow -up investigation shall utilize the Orange County Sheriff's Office Victim Advo cate Squad as needed when victims require counseling, social services referrals, and criminal justice advocacy when there is reason to believe an event has had an unusually severe impact on witnesses or victims. 3. When uniform patrol deputies or the dete ctives in charge request assistance from the Victim Advocate Squad, they shall provide the assigned Victim Advocate with the necessary information to explain to the victim/witness the involved procedures in the investigation as well as prosecution of their case and their role in those procedures, so long as it does not endanger the successful prosecution of the case. F. Case File Maintenance System ARS will be used by detectives to document their investigations. Should an event occur which renders the Automated Report System unavailable, investigations may be documented in a hand -written form, utilizing the available report forms. 1. All original and Supplement