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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPECIAL ORDER Effective Date: August 26, 2025  Amends - SO 24.0 ( October 19, 2022 ) Number: 24.0 Distribution : FSO Personnel Review Month: September Reviewing Authority: UPD / Division Commander Subject: Field Service Officer (FSO) Unit This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the position of Field Service Officer (FSO) within the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. 2. Procedures A. Organization The FSO Unit is divided into East and West Squads. Each squad will have an FSO Supervisor that has oversight of the particular squad. The FSO Unit will answer to a Uniform Patrol Division Lieutenant. FSO’s assigned to a squad will also be assigned to a particular sector (1 through 5). West side squads will include sectors 1, 3, and 5. East side sectors will include sectors 2, and 4. If there is an operational need, an FSO may respond to any other sector, to include sectors 6 and 7, to assist. B. Uniforms Unless otherwise directed by their chain of command, all FSO’s will wear their agency approved uniform when responding to calls for service. FSO uniforms will comply with the standards outlined in the current agency uniform directives and will be distinctl y different from uniforms worn by sworn members of the agency. C. Training 1. Prior to working in a solo capacity, all new FSO’s will participate in and successfully complete Phase 1 of the agency approved FSO Field Training and Evaluation Program. Upon comple tion of their Phase 1 training, they will be assigned to an FSO Squad. It will be the squad supervisor’s responsibility to ensure the FSO completes the requirements noted in the FSO Field Training and Evaluation Program. 24.0, Page 2 of 4 2. In order to perform certain specialized functions, the FSO shall attend the appropriate State established training program s approved by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. Below is a list of such classes: a. FCIC/NCIC b. Parking Enforcement Specialist for Civilians This course is required to write parking tickets and enforce parking statutes and ordinances within unincorporated Orange County. c. Traffic Control Officer for Civilians This course is required to safely and properly manage pedestrian and vehicular traffic upon a roadway. c. Selective Traffic Enforcement Program This course is required to properly investigate traffic crashes and issue Uniform Traffic Citations. Due to the limited frequency of this specialized class, the FSO need not have completed the course to function in a solo capacity, but should complete this at the first available opportunity. d. Field Training Officer Course This course is required to train new FSO’s. FSO Field Training Officers must be approved by the Lieutenant with designated oversight. While actively training, they will be eligible for training pay as outlined in GO 4.6.3 . 3. All other training as required by agency policy and procedures . D. Equipment 1. FSO’s are issued equipment as outlined in the FSO Field Training and Evaluation Program, to include Chemical Agent Individual Protection Devices (IPD) upon completing an approved agency training program. FSO’s are authorized to use IPD in accordance with GO 8.1.6. FSO’s authorized to carry an IPD are required to attend IPD retraining biennially. 2. In order to operate an agency vehicle, the FSO must successfully complete the appropriate agency dri ving course and remain current with the appropriate in -service training requirements. 3. Once assigned a vehicle, it is the FSO’s responsibility to ensure the vehicle is operated and maintained as per GO 9.1.1 . 4. Emergency lights on vehicles will only be used in close proximity to traffic accident scenes or to alert the public of roadway blockage or other potential traffic hazards when necessary , to include when directing traffic . 5. FSO’s are prohibited from activating the emergency lights and siren while enroute to a call for service in their agency vehicle. E. Primary Responsibilities 1. The FSO’s primary responsibilities are answering calls for service and 24.0, Page 3 of 4 patrolling assigned areas loo king for parking violations and abandoned/disabled vehicles that are blocking traffic. 2. Non-emergency/non -in-progress police calls include, but are not limited to: a. Burglaries b. Theft c. Criminal mischief d. Stolen/recovered vehicles e. Forgery/Identity Theft f. Disabled/abandoned vehicles g. Found property (EXCEPT Drugs or Firearms) h. Animal complaints i. Community Relations j. E-Reporting/DRW duties k. Parking Violations (under State Statute or County Ordinance) l. Directing Traffic m. Minor motor vehicle crashes as outlined in GO 6.1.4 3. Under no circumstances will FSO’s be dispatched to or respond to any crime in progress. Should an FSO inadvertently be in close proximity to an in-progress, potentially dangerous situation, or a confrontation occur s on any call that a FSO responds to, the FSO shall move to a position of safety, notify Communications of his/her location, and relay all