301880

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPECIAL ORDER Effective Date: June 24, 2016  Amends - SO 53.0 (December 13, 2013) Number: 53.0 Distribution: Agricultural Crimes Unit Personnel Review Month: September Reviewing Authority: SOD / Specialized Patr ol Subject: Agricultural Crimes Unit This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the operation of the Agricultural Crimes Unit, which is responsible for investig ating ranch and agriculture crimes. 2. Procedures A. Duties of Agricultural Crimes deputies include, but are not limited to the following: 1. Patrol agricultural/ranch lands, woods, and other areas inaccessible by marked patrol units. 2. Conduct follow -up investigations into all types of agricultural crimes including thefts of farm products, production equipment, farm chemicals, criminal mischief and trespassing. 3. Investigate livestock, citrus and foliage related cases. 4. Investigate animal cruelty c ases. 5. Participate in the Future Farmers of America programs at area schools. 6. Participate and coordinate the activities of the agency Volunteer Airboat Team. 7. Operate and maintain assigned four wheel drive vehicles and unit assigned equipment. 8. Operate and maintain All -Terrain Vehicles (ATV) and Recreational Off Road Vehicle (ROV) as outlined in this policy. 9. Operate and maintain airboats as outlined in this policy. 10. Maintain current information on agricultural land. 11. Maintain curre nt information on locations of livestock. 53.0, Page 2 of 5 12. Maintain and manage the Agricultural Crime Watch program. 13. Attend agricultural industry meetings. 14. Participate in public relations events, i.e., displays, parades. 15. Assist any unit in the agenc y requiring off road vehicles. 16. Assist in searches for lost persons in off road areas. 17. Enforce hunting laws. 18. Provide in -service agricultural related training to agency deputies. 19. Patrol and enforce hunting and marine laws on the St. John' s River. 20. Euthanize dangerous, injured and diseased animals using appropriate issued firearms when all other reasonable means of disposition are exhausted. 21. Liaison with the agricultural and ranching communities. B. The supervisors of the Agricult ure Crimes Unit shall: 1. Supervise, direct, and coordinate personnel assigned to their squads. 2. Schedule the daily activities of the deputies to include special assignments. 3. Develop objectives for the squad and discuss problem areas with superiors. 4. Develop and implement an y necessary in-service training program for the unit and act as an instructor when required. Supervisors shall forward records of training to the Training Section. 5. Inspect vehicles and equipment for proper care and mainten ance. 6. Coordinate all activities involving the Volunteer Airboat Team. C. Operation of Vehicles and Airboats 1. Assigned four wheel drive vehicles Deputies assigned to the Agricultural Crimes Unit shall operate and maintain their assigned vehicle in ac cordance with GO’s 9.1.1 and 9.1.5 . Special care will be utilized in the operation of the four wheel drive vehicle both o n and off the roadway. 2. ATVs and ROVs a. ATVs and ROVs may be utilized in off road situations where other agency vehicles cannot serve the purpose. b. Agriculture Crimes deputies shall complete approved in-service training in the safe handling and care of this equipment. It will be the responsibility of the user to operate the ATV and ROV within 53.0, Page 3 of 5 manufactures design limits and the scope of the training. c. Persons authorized to operate ATVs and ROVs shall be personnel that have received approved in-service training in the safe and effective handling of ATVs, ROVs and the trailers used to transport them. The training will consist of the transportation, operation, care, and maintenance of the ATVs, ROVs and trailers in accordance with reasonable safety st andards. Generally operators should be assigned to the Agriculture Crimes and Marine Enforcement Unit but trained operators may be designated by Agriculture or Marine supervisors, Special Operations Division Command, Watch Commanders, Unders heriff or Sheri ff. Personnel shall complete an annual requalification on the ATV and ROV . d. Condition and maintenance of ATVs, ROVs and trailers will be the responsibility of the Agriculture Crimes supervisors and designees. e. The decision to deploy ATVs and/or ROVs wi ll be made by an authorized operator. This decision will be based on the unique capabilities of the equipment and the exigent circumstances of the area to be patrolled or the situation which would require this type of equipment. f. ATVs and ROVs will be u tilized for official purposes only and will not be operated for recreational reasons. 3. Airboat Operation a. Airboats will be operated in accordance with GO 9.1.1 . b. Airboats will be uti lized for official purposes only , special events, and will not be operated for recreational reasons. c. Vessels will be operated in compliance with manufacturers operating manuals and the rules of the road as mandated by United States Coast Guard regulatio ns, and local, state, and federal ordinances and laws. d. Vessels will be equipped with all required U.S. Coast Guard equipment. e. Vess