Policy Text
1 (12/18/2024 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
INSTRUCTIONAL ORDER
Subject: INVESTIGATIVE COST RECOVERY
Index as: Cost Recovery, Investigations Investigative Cost Recovery
Accreditation Standards:
Cross Reference: § 938.27 , Florida Statutes
Replaces : I.O. V.5:33 Investigative Cost Recovery ( August 28, 2017 )
This Order establishes procedures to initiate a request for the recovery of investigative costs from those convicted of criminal
offenses. It consi sts of the following sections:
I. Policy
II. Definitions
III. Requesting Cost Recovery
I. POLICY
As permitted by section 938.27, Florida Statutes , the Department may attempt to recover salaries and other costs
incurred for criminal investigations resulting in convictions.
II. DEFINITIONS
A. Costs – Actual expenses incurred in conducting the investigation that are supported by documentation.
1. Included are investigative hours and other activities supported by receipts, “chits” or other documentation
including, but not limited to, payments to informant s, per diem costs, lodging and rental vehicles.
2. Expenses for fuel and other expenses for the operation of Department vehicles will not be included as
investigative costs.
B. Investigative Hours – Time spent by personnel conducting criminal investigations, starting from the initial response
to the scene, and concluding when the investigation is complete. This includes time spent preparing reports and
post-investigative work, but excludes time spent attending depositions and trials.
C. Salary – Personnel costs associated with a criminal investigation. Personnel costs will be calculated at the following
hourly rate s:
Police Investigative Assistants $30
Forensic Technicians $40
Officers/Detectives $45
Sergeants $55
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
August 2017 Immediately V.5:33
Distribution: All Employees
Instructional Order V.5 :33
2 (12/18/2024 ) III. REQUESTING COST RECOVERY
A. Whenever an officer prepares a Complaint/Arrest Affidavit or an Officer’s Worksheet (Criminal Traffic Only), the
section for investigative cost recovery may be completed , identifying each officer/investigator /forensic technician by
name and number of investigative hours committed to the case .
Only investigative hours expended and projected report writing time will be included.
1. The number of investigative hours reported will be the minimum number that can be supported with
documentation ( i.e., CAD records, reports, case management records, etc.) should there be a challenge.
2. Investigative hours will be rounded down to the nearest one half (½) hour ( e.g., if 1 hou r and 40 minutes were
spent on an investigation and for the typing of the report, this would round down to 1.5 hours).
3. Multiply the number of hours (1.5) by the current salary rate ($ 40/hr) to arrive at the investigative hours total
cost ($ 67.50 ).
4. If the investigati ve task requires more than employee , the investigative hours of all personnel will be reported.
The calculation and entry described above must be made for each employee involved in the investigation to
arrive at a total figure .
5. The investig ative hours of probationary officers under the supervision of a field training officer will not be
reported.
B. Investigative costs incurred after the Affidavit /Officer’s Worksheet is completed may be documented by the primary
officer/investigator and submitted to the appropriate Assistant State Attorney.
1. Documentation include s an exact accounting of all investigative costs that are supported by receipts or other
documentation .
2. Unless specific arrangements have been made in advance, the accounting of investigative costs will be
addressed to the appropriate Assistant State Attorney and sent to the State Attorney’s Office via Court Liaison.
a. A copy will be sent to the Records Division to be included with the original report.
b. Supporting documentation will not be submitted with the Affidavit; the Officer’s Worksheet for criminal
traffic offenses or the Investigative Cost Continuation Worksheet but will be retained by the
Officer/Investigator in charge of the case until adjudication of the case is complete.
__________________________
Anthony Holloway
Chief of Police