301668

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: July 11, 2016  Amends - G.O. 19.1.4 (February 17, 2012) Number: 19.1.4 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: June Reviewing Authority: SOD/Specialized Patrol Subject: Task Fo rce This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish appropriate guidelines for utilizing Task Force volunteers to enhance the delivery of services to the commu nity. 2. Policy It is the policy of the Sheriff's Office to supplement the ranks of full -time personnel with citizen volunteers working within the Task Force. 3. Definitions A. Chemical Agent Individual Protection Device (IPD) – an aerosol spray agent approved by the agency for carry and use. B. Task Force - comprised of volunteers who serve without compensation in a non - sworn capacity to augment agency components. 4. Procedures A. Organization and Structure 1 The Special Operations Division Commander shall assign a Lieutenant or designee to act as liaison officer to the Task Force. 2. Task Force members shall be under the direction of the ranking Depu ty on scene or his/her designee. B. Sheriff’s Office Equipment 1. The agency will provide Task Force members uniforms that are distinguishable from those worn by full-time sworn personnel. 2. The agency will issue an identification card clearly marked "Task Force" to all Task Force members. 3. As directed by the Special Operations Division Commander or designee, Task Force members may be issued agency equipment (e.g., portable radio) 19.1.4, Page 2 of 3 to support Task Force operations. 4. The Special Operations Division Commander or designee shall confirm that all Task Force personnel are trained in the use of agency issu ed equipment. Task Force personnel shall receive refresher training on Chemical Agent IPD every two years. 5. Task Force members shall expeditiously report the loss of agency -issued identification cards or equipment to the liaison officer, who shall assis t in completing the necessary paperwork. 6. The agency may recall any or all of its equipment or property at any time. 7. Task Force members may be issued Chemical Agent IPD . Task Force members are only authorized to use chemical agent for personal prot ection, such as defense against an attacking assailant or aggressive animal. 8. Chemical Agent IPD will only be issued to Task Force members after attending an approved chemical agent training session. 9. Task Force members shall report any use of Chemi cal Agent IPD to a sworn on-duty supervisor . C. Task Force Participation in Sheriff’s Office Activities 1. Task Force members are not law enforcement officers and shall not identify themselves as such or take any law enforcement action or other action wh ich can be interpreted as law enforcement action, except for authorized traffic control or crowd control. They shall restrict their activities to those tasks and duties that do not require a sworn law enforcement officer . 2. Task Force members must displ ay their agency -issued identification while participating in Sheriff’s Office activities or visiting agency facilities. 3. Members shall be polite, courteous, and professional to the public. 4. Task Force members shall adhere to all applicable laws. If a Task Force member becomes privy to agency information that is not subject to public disclosure under Florida’s public records law, he or she shall not disclose the information to unauthorized persons. 5. No member shall report for duty after consuming a lcohol, drugs, or medication that would impair the performance of his or her necessary job functions. 6. No member shall consume alcohol on duty or illegal drugs on or off duty. 7. Members shall not carry firearms on their persons or in vehicles when participating in Sheriff’s Office activities or visiting agency facilities. This includes any member who has a valid concealed weapons permit. 19.1.4, Page 3 of 3 8. Members sustaining injuries from the performance of their duties shall promptly inform an on-duty supervisor . D. Personnel Issues 1. The Human Resources Division will process applicants to include conduct ing background and criminal history checks on Task Force applicants. 2. The liaison officer shall investigate complaints on Task Force members 3. Disciplinary action and files will be maintained by the liaison officer of the Task Force in the members’ personnel file. 4. Task Force members must cooperate with the agency’s efforts to investigate complaints 5. The liaison officer shall document all resignations and terminations from the Task Force, collect agency equipment and identification cards, and send notification to Human Resources to close out the members’ personnel file s. 6. The agency reserves the right to exclude any Task Force member with or without cause from participation in Sheriff’s Office activities.