Policy Text
1 (08/28 /2017 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
INSTRUCTIONAL ORDER
Subject: REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE
Index as: Firearms, Illegal Use Gun Violence, Reducing Preferred Arrest, Firearms Offenses
Accreditation Standards: 1.2.7
Cross Reference: I.O. V.5:26, Concealed Firearms Laws
Florida Statutes, Chapter 790
Replaces : I.O. V.5:34, Reducing Gun Violence (April 2008 )
This Order consists of the following sections:
I. Purpose
II. National Statement On Gun Violence
III. Policy
IV. Investigating Gun Crimes
V. Community Awareness
I. PURPOSE
A. Violence with firearms affects not only victims who suffer serious injury or death, but it also affects the quality of life
in our community. The threat and actual use of firearms endangers every member of our community and law enforcement
personnel alike. Indirectly, it endangers the economic vitality of the community, reducing opportunities for business,
employment and community development.
B. The St. Petersburg Police Department recognizes the continuing threat of illegal firearms possession and use and,
by means of this policy, establishes an organized approach on the part of law enforcement to suppress potential and actual
gun violence.
II. NATI ONAL STATEMENT ON GUN VIOLENCE
A. In support of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive, strategic approach to reduce gun crime in
America, the Executive Branch of the Federal Government issued a letter in 2001.
B. Excerpts from the letter include the following:
1. Although progress has been made in fighting violent crime, America remains far too violent with a violent crime
rate among the highest in the industrialized world.
2. For every fatal shooting, there were roughly three non -fatal shootings. A t eenager is more likely to die from a
gunshot than from all natural causes of death combined. This is unacceptable in America. For our children's sake, this
nation must reclaim our neighborhoods and streets.
3. To reduce gun violence, we must vigorously enforce existing gun laws.
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
August 2017 Immediately V.5:34
Distribution: All Employees
Instructional Order V.5:34
2 (08/28 /2017 ) III. POLICY
A. It is the Department’s position to take an affirmative stance to reduce gun violence in the community.
1. Officers encountering a firearms -related offense shall thoroughly investigate and report their actions and, unless
the possession or display is clearly one permitted by law, shall follow a Preferred Arrest policy whenever probable cause
exists, regardless of the victim’s desire to prosecute.
2. Firearms seized as evidence or contraband shall be properly marked and secured in accordance with existing
evidence procedures.
3. Incidents involving firearms require the preparation of a complete and detailed police re port to assist in the
follow -up and tracking process.
4. If an arrest is not made, Supervisory approval is required.
B. It is not the Department’s intent to inhibit the lawful possession of firearms as provided by the Constitution of the
United States or any national or state law. It is recognized that many citizens possess firearms in accordance with applicable
laws.
1. Chapter 790 of the Florida State Statutes depicts conditions and procedures for the lawful possession of
firearms in the State.
2. Chapter 790 al so defines interstate reciprocity, and this is further referenced in J:\Research \GeneralOrders \V
Instructional Orders \V5-26 Concealed F irearms Laws.pdf .
3. Certain qualified retired law enforcement officers may be armed under provisions of Title 18, 44 USC, ss. 926B
and 926C, known as the “Federal Law Enforcement Officers S afety Act of 2004" or “HR 218.”
IV. INVESTIGATING GUN CRIMES
A. Uniform Services Bureau shall:
1. Promptly and thoroughly investigate any gun crime that is reported to the Department or discovered as an on -
view event; and
2. Pay particular attention to any incident that results in death or injury to any person and which may result in a
spiral of violence and retaliation.
B. Investigative Services Bureau shall:
1. Thoroughly follow up reports of violent acts involving guns and reports of stolen or lost firearms; and
2. Maximize the use of electronic resources such as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the
Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) National Tracing Center “E -Trace” program, and National Integrated
Ballistics Information Network/Integrated Ballistics Informa tion System (NIBIN/IBIS); and
3. Work closely with the Office of the State Attorney to encourage maximum prosecution for all gun crimes; and
4. Coordinate the Department’s gun violence reduction efforts with other law enforcement agencies.
C. Administrative Services Bureau shall:
1. Accept firearms voluntarily surrendered for destruction; and
2. Destroy all guns that come into the Department’s possession when legally able to do so and when all law
enforcement use has been completed.
Instructional Order V.5:34
3 (08/28 /2017 ) V. COMMUNITY AWARENESS
A. The Department shall, with appropriate resources, encourage:
1. Safe handling and secure storage of firearms by citizens owning them.
2. Community participation and awareness of the role citizens play in reporting gun crimes and reducing violence .
__________________________
Anthony Holloway
Chief of Police