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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: February 8, 2025  Amends - GO 16.1.12 ( January 8, 2016 ) Number: 16.1.12 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: April Reviewing Authority: SOD / Narcotics Subject: Special Operations Division Narcotics Section 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 Special Operations Division Narcotics Section . 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 perpetrators and to recover stolen property a nd seize illegal substances or contraband. 3. Procedures A. Components of the Special Operations Division ( SOD ) Narcotics Section 1. Street Drug Unit a. Undercover Squads (3) b. West Orange Narcotics Task Force 2. Narcotics Investigative Unit a. TIPS Squad b. Nuisance Abatement Squad c. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force d. Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) Task Force e. High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Enforcement (HID TA) Task Force f. Narcotics Analysts g. Parcel Interception Squad B. Responsibilities The Narcotics Section Commander is in charge of the agency's Street Drug Unit and Narcotics Investigative Unit . 1. Street Drug Unit a. The Undercover Narcotics Squads are responsible for the detection and apprehension of persons engaged in the i llegal possession and distribution of controlled substances. They are also responsible for the detection and apprehension of persons involved in prostitution, pornography, gambling and other vice related activity. 16.1. 12, Page 2 of 4 b. The West Orange Narcotics Task Force is c ommanded by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and is made up of members of the Orange County Sheriff’s, the Ocoee Police Department and the Winter Garden Police Department. They are responsible for the detection and apprehension of persons engaged in the illegal possession and distribution of controlled substances in West Orange County. All assets seized by this unit will be equitably divided between the three agencies in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the agencies. NOTE: The Section’s technical support is handled by the Street Drug supervisor who is responsible for the maintenance, installation and purchase of all electronic, audio and video equipment utilized and purchased by the Special Operations Division. This include s but is not limited to electronic transmitters, monitors, video cameras, digital cameras, etc. 2. Investigative Drug Unit a. The TIPS Squad is responsible for the investigation of tips on narcotics and prostitution received by the agency. b. Nuisance Abatement Squad activit ies will adhere to GO 6.2.13 . c. The DEA Task Force and HIDTA Task Force are commanded by DEA. The DEA Task Force includes members of the agency who work with t he Drug Enforcement Agency as special task force agents. d. The HSI Task Force is responsible for the investigation of financial transactions as they relate to illegal activity. The investigations they work are at the direction of HSI. e. IRS Task Force is comm anded by the IRS. The IRS Task Force is responsible for investigations of illegal financial activity. The investigations are at the direction of the IRS. f. The Parcel Interception Squad is responsible for the investigation and seizure of illegal narcotics and illegal contraband coming into and leaving Orange County. C. Informant Policy Informants are a basic weapon in the fight against crime and a judicially recognized source of information. The use and paying of informants will be in accordance with GO 16.1. 7. D. Preliminary Investigations 1. Uniformed law enforcement deputies are responsible for initial responses and conducting preliminary investigations. 2. Particularly complex and/or serious cases may require Narcotics agents to respond immediately and conduct an immediate follow -up investigation. Uniform Patrol supervisors are authorized and encouraged to call out on -call Narcotics agents to a scene. E. Follow -up Investigations 16.1. 12, Page 3 of 4 1. Investigations may be assigned to ag ency personnel who conduct preliminary investigations or to a Narcotics agent. In some circumstances, follow -up responsibility may be assigned to other personnel or routed to another Sector or investigative section. 2. The follow -up agent should: a. Chec k to confirm the preliminary investigation was thoroughly conducted. b. Continue the investigation of those leads which have surfaced. c. Work to link the crime with others of a similar type. d. When an arrest is made, prepare the case for prosecution. F. Report Routing - Narcotics Section 1. Narcotics cases. 2. Any suspicious Incident Reports with a narcotics relationship. 3. Prostitution cases. 4. Any suspicious Incident Reports with a vice relationship. G. Call-Out Policy and Criteria The Narcotics Section does not provide twenty -four (24) hour on -duty coverage and operates with an on -call staff