ii-01WrittenDirectiveSystem

Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (06/23/2025 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER Subject: WRITTEN DIRECTIVES SYSTEM Index as: Criminal Law Updates Forms Control General Orders Instructional Order Legal Update Legislative Summaries Memoranda SOP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Subject Matter Expert Written Directive System Accreditation Standards: 11.4.2, 12.2.1, 12.2.2 Cross Reference: G.O. I -01, Code of Ethics G.O. I -02, Mission Values and Goals Rules and Regulations of the Personnel Management System , Section 5-1 Replaces: G.O. II -01, Written Orders and Directives (April 29, 2024 ) This Order consists of the following sections: I. Purpose II. Definitions III. Preparation of New and Revised Written Directives IV. Indexing, Numbering and Formatting V. Maintenance, Distribution, Acknowledgement and Receipt of Written Directives VI. Documented Annual Review VII. Forms I. PURPOSE A. To ensure that the highest quality of police service is provided to the community, a Written Directive System has been prepared for the St. Petersburg Police Department to: 1. Establish clear, concise policies and procedures so employees and the public have a realistic understanding of the duties, responsibilities, and ethical standards by which this agency operates. 2. Facilitate the operations of the Department by standardizing policies and procedures. B. The Written Directive System consists of: 1. General Orders /Instructional Orders, 2. Interim Changes, 3. Standard Operating Procedures, and 4. Legal Updates DATE OF ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER March 2023 Immediately II-01 Distribution: All Employees General Order II -01 Revisions or additions are highlighted 2 (06/23/2025 ) C. Due to frequent changes in the law, review and modernization of procedures and n eeds of the community, the Written Directive System requires constant review and revision. Therefore, each employee is charged with the responsibility to present their ideas for revisions to the Written Directive System. D. The Written Directive System is fo r internal use only and is not intended to increase an officer's civil or criminal liability in any way. E. Given the nature of police work, situations will arise that are not addressed by the Written Directive System. In those instances, employees should rely on the principles outlined by G.O. I -01, Code of Ethics , G.O. I -02, Mission Values and Goals , and the City of St. Petersburg Rules and Regulations of the Personnel Management System , always remembering that this agency exists solely for the purpose of serving the community . II. DEFINITIONS A. Criminal Law Updates – Are received from the State Attorney’s Office (SAO) on a biannual basis and distributed via the Legal Division. B. General Order s – Issued to announce adoption or revision of Department policy and to institute permanent programs or procedures that have Department -wide impact for the indefinite future. General Orders are binding and remain in force until revised or rescinded. C. Instructio nal Order – A General Order that relates procedures to follow in order to complete specific tasks and which affect more than one Bureau. D. Interim Change – A revision to an existing General Order/Standard Operating Procedure that is brought about by a chang e in a law, procedure, or Union agreement. An Interim Change is issued under a Chief’s, or designee, memoranda. E. Legal Update – Prepared by the Legal Advisor, or designee, and provide direction and/or information on statutes, ordinances, and other legal to pics. F. Legislative Summaries – Prepared annually by the Office of General Counsel, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and distributed via the Legal Division. G. Memoranda – May be created by any employee to provide information or to make a specific request. Memoranda issued by supervisory personnel to provide guidance to employees will not deviate from, nor conflict with, established policies or procedures. Memoranda issue d to “All Personnel” are stored on CARS in the General Orders and SOPs folder. H. Originator – Any person(s) responsible for the development or revision of a Departmental policy ; usually considered a subject matter expert. I. Periodic – Conducted or occurring at least every three (3) years. J. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) – A written directive issued by the person in charge to describe procedures, duties, or responsibilities of personnel within their respective Bureau, Division, Section or Unit. General Order II -01 Revisions or additions are highlighted 3 (06/23/2025 ) III. PREPARATION OF NEW AND REVISED WRITTEN DIRECTIVES A. General Orders 1. Proposals for new and/or substantive revisions to General Orders will be submitted to the Assistant Chief through the Chain of Command. Upon determination that there is a need for the proposal to move forward, the Professional Compliance Unit will be notified, and the completion of a draft will be assigned to an originator. The originator will: a. Prepare a written draft of the policy, consid ering its effect upon operations of the various units of the Department; b. Involve all levels of personnel at the conceptual phase when time and subject matter permit; c. When necessary, recommend