301625

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: November 6, 2025  Amends - GO16.1.10 (August 5, 2022 ) Number : 16.1.10 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: May Reviewing Authority: UPD / Division Commander Subject: Preliminary Investigations This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines to deputies when conducting investigations and calling out detectives. 2. Policy It is the policy of the agency to conduct preliminary investigations on all calls for service and self-initiated activities. 3. Procedures A. Arson Investigations 1. Florida State law places the responsibility for investigating fires with the Bureau of Fire, Arson and Ex plosives Investigations (BFAEI), which is a law enforcement branch of the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services. Deputies shall assist the BFAEI when arson is suspected. If there is evidence of another crime in conjunction with arson, such as b urglary or homicide, deputies shall complete an initial report. The deputy’s supervisor may approve calling out a detective in the appropriate circumstances. If needed, detectives from the appropriate section shall be requested with the supervisor’s appr oval. 2. Auto fires involving a fatality, if the fatality is not secondary to a motor vehicle crash with fire, are also investigated by the BFAEI. If the vehicle involved is a stolen vehicle, a deputy shall confirm towing and complete appropriate supplem ental reports. If the vehicle is not stolen, disposition of the vehicle will be the responsibility of the BFAEI. If the BFAEI desires the vehicle to be towed (even if it is not stolen), deputies shall have vehicles towed in accordance with written direct ives. Holds are authorized only by agency detectives. 3. When the origin of a fire is suspicious in nature or the crime of arson is suspected and the fire causes only damage to property, the supervisor shall be notified by the senior deputy on the fire s cene. 4. If the assistance of the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) is requested by 16.1.10, Page 2 of 19 the BFAEI, County Fire Marshall, Fire Chief, or their designated representative, the supervisor shall advise the dispatcher to request the appropriate CID personnel t o respond. 5. Investigation of the fire scene will be a joint responsibility of the BFAEI County Fire Marshall, Fire Chief, or their representative, and appropriate members of the agency . After the fire scene is secured, agency personnel assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division shall assume primary responsibility for all follow -up criminal investigations except arson. 6. If serious injuries are reported due to the fire, and death is not imminent, the on-call Violent Crimes Detective will be notified to respond to the scene. They will conduct a follow -up criminal investigation in collaboration with the BFAEI County Fire Marshal, Fire Chief, or their representative. B. Auto Theft Investigations 1. Deputies shall establish through legal documentation or teletype if the person reporting the vehicle stolen is the registered owner or is otherwise authorized to report the vehicle stolen. 2. When civil ownership disputes are recognized, deputies shall refer parties to private attorneys or Civ il Court. Vehicles associated with civil ownership disputes are not entered into teletype. 3. When it is determined the vehicle was stolen, deputies shall complete a Stolen Vehicle Affidavit including the following: a. The victim/owner gave no one permis sion to use the vehicle. b. If the victim/owner permitted another to use the vehicle, the time period and terms of the agreed temporary use will be recorded. c. The victim/owner does not know where the vehicle is or who has possession. d. Were the keys in the vehicle? Was the vehicle locked? Was personal property left in the vehicle? e. Insurance information. f. If the responding deputy, through investigation, learns that the victim/owner’s vehicle was borrowed, loaned or traded, a referral notice may be given. A stolen vehicle report will not be taken at that time. The victim/owner shall be given an event numbe r and a “Referral Notice.” If the vehicle is not returned after ten (10) calendar days, the victim/owner must call the sector substation to make an appointment with the sector PSO, who shall document the incident and fill out the appropriate reports and a ffidavits in addition to entering the vehicle into teletype as stolen. 4. Once the Stolen Vehicle Affidavit is completed, deputies shall give the vehicle identification and tag numbers to Teletype to determine if the vehicle 16.1.10, Page 3 of 19 has been towed, previously r eported as stolen, or recovered by another agency. 5. If the sworn statement establishes grand theft, deputies shall provide Teletype with the pertinent information for FCIC/NCIC entry. 6. Deputies recovering a confirmed stolen vehicle shall notify Com munications. Communications personnel shall confirm the removal of appropriate NCIC/FCIC entries from the system. Deputies shall note this notification in the report. 7. If the theft involves tractor/trailer theft or a cargo theft where either one or all the above are stolen,