Policy Text
1 (04/28/2016) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: PROBABLE CAUSE PICKUP (BOLOs)
Index as: BOLO Probable Cause Stop and ID
CAD BOLO File Probable Cause Pickup Wanted Person
Accreditation Standards:
Cross Reference: G. O. III -1 Field Interviews
I.O. V.6:3, Warrantless Felony Arrests
§901.15, F.S.S. Arrest Without Warrant
§901.151, F.S.S. Stop and Frisk
Replaces : I.O. V.5:27, Probable Cause Pickup (BOLOs), (October 25, 1993)
This Order consists of the following sections:
I. Purpose
II. Definitions
III. The BOLO Form
IV. Cancellation
V. Unit Responsibility
I. PURPOSE
A. The purpose of this Order is to define procedures used to advise personnel of:
1. An authorized request for apprehension, based upon a probable cause , prior to the issuance of a warrant;
2. The existence of a warrant; or
3. To alert Officer s of the need for their assistance in the identification of criminal suspects.
B. Within the context of this Order, the word “BOLO ” specifically excludes other common uses related to missing
persons, stolen autos, or other generic police information.
C. This Order est ablishes the procedures for preparing, distributing, and cancelling the St. Petersburg Police
Department BOLO form.
II. DEFINITIONS
A. BOLO – An acronym for "Be on the Lookout."
B. CAD BOLO File – A file maintained in the Computer Aided Dispatch system for information relating to
wanted/missing persons, stolen vehicles, and other information of which O fficers should aware and "be on the lookout ."
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
April 2016 Immediately V.5:27
Distribution: All Employees
Instructional Order V.5:27
2 (04/28/2016 ) C. Probable Cause – The knowledge or information that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a crime has
been, is about to be , or is being committed , and that the person to be arrested has committed, is about to commit or is
committing the crime in question.
D. Probabl e Cause Pickup – The apprehension of a criminal felony or misdemeanor domestic violence suspect,
based upon the existence of a properly completed Complaint/Arrest Affidavit prior to the issuance of a warrant by the
Court.
E. Stop and ID – An authorized reque st for assistance to obtain information on an offender(s) or vehicle, when the
identity is unknown or there is insufficient probable cause for arrest.
F. Wanted Person – The special status of a person , base d upon the existence of a cour t-issued warrant , ordering
the arrest of an individual for a specific offense.
III. THE BOLO FORM
A. The St. Petersburg Police Department BOLO form may be used as an advisory notice in the following
circumstances:
1. As a request for Probable Cause Pickup when, in the interest of public safety, an apprehension should be
made prior to formal action by the State Attorney's Office and the issuance of an arrest warrant.
a. The BOLO form must be accompanied by the properly completed Complaint/Arrest Affidavit .
b. In any questionable matter, the investigating Officer and the responsible supervisor shall contact the
State Attorney's Office prior to the issuance of the BOLO form.
c. The investigating Officer shall arrange a State Attorney's investigation as soon as pract ical.
2. As a notice of a Wanted Person , to alert members of the Department of the existence of an Arrest Warrant for
a specific person.
3. As a request for assistance by an Officer or investigator to Stop and ID an individual or vehicle when only
limited information is available pertaining to the identity of a suspect(s) or vehicle, during the investigation of a specifi c
offense or series of offenses.
B. The BOLO form is an electronic , writable template , which shall be maintained for the fourteen (14)-day active
period, unless cancelled or if the originating Officer reissues the original BOLO.
1. The BOLO form shall be attached to the RMS report and a link to the report shall be routed by the originator
to the appropriate supervisor for approval .
2. Once the BOLO has been approved by a supervisor, the supervisor will send a link of the RMS report to two
separate functions :
a. “Equi p Room /Read Off” and
b. “PC BOLO .”
C. Informational photocopies of the BOLO are authoriz ed for distribution within the D epartment. However, no action
shall be taken on the basis of a photocopy , without first contacting Foxtrot Channel and confirming the actual BOLO
remains active .
D. The Officer/ Investigator issuing a BOLO form shall ensure all of the known information is properly presented on
the BOLO form. N/A (not applicable) or UNK (unk nown) shall be used as needed. The Officer /Investigator issuing the form
shall document in the offense report they have is sued a BOLO form.
E. Only one person may be named on the BOLO form , if used as a request for probable cause pickup or to alert
personnel to the existence of a warrant.
F. Active investigative information on the BOLO form is exempt from routine release to the p ublic and media. BO