Policy Text
Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (06/23/2025 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
Index as:
Accountability
Administration of the Department
Authority
Bureau
Command Structure
Cooperation
Department
Department Organization and Administration District
Division
Organization of the Department
Span of Control
Squad
Succession of Authority
Unit
Accreditation Standards: 11.1.1, 11.2.1, 11.3.1, 11.3.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.2, 12.1.3, 12.1.4, 15.1.1, 15.1.2, 22.4.1, 22.4.2,
26.2.3, 31.1.1, 44.1.1, 46.1.1, 55.1.1
Cross Reference: G.O. IV, Rules of Conduct
Replaces : G.O. II -19, Department Organization an d Administration ( December 18, 2024 )
This Order describes the organization and administrative structure of the St. Petersburg Police Department. It consists of
the following sections:
I. Definitions
II. Organization
III. Succession and Authority
IV. Accountability and Span of Control
V. Intra-Departmental Cooperation
I. DEFINITIONS
A. Geographic Subdivisions
1. District
2. Zone
3. Community Police Area (CPA)
4. Crime Tract (CT) (for statistical purposes)
B. Organizational Units
1. Department – The St. Petersburg Police Department, commanded by the Chief of Police.
2. Bureau – The largest subunit of the Department; Bureau organization is based on major functional services
provided to the community and is commanded by an Assistant Chief of Police.
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
April 2016 Immediately II-19
Distribution: All Employees
General Order II -19
Revisions or additions are highlighted 2 (06/23/2025 ) 3. Division/District – Functional subdivision based on similar related tasks; or within the Bureau, having a
responsibility for a large geographic or responsibility area, usually commanded by a major or civilian division
manager .
4. Section – An operational level group of employees with a similar related major activity, usually commanded by
a lieutenant or a civilian manager.
5. Unit or Squad – The smallest organizational group, responsible for a specific task or temporal activity, usually
commanded by a sergeant or a civilian supervisor.
6. Assignment – A specific duty or specific responsibility which an individual or small group o f employees is
directed to perform.
II. ORGANIZATION
A. The Department has four (4) organizational subdivisions: The Office of the Chief of Police and three Bureaus: The
Administrative Services Bureau, the Investigative Services Bureau, and the Uniform Services Bureau which report
directly to the Chief of Police.
1. The Office of the Chief of Police – Consists of the Chief’s Office, along with three (3) components which report
directly to the Chief of Police.
a. Community Awareness Division – the Public Information Officer (PIO) coordinates and releases information
to the media and represents the Chief of Police at various meetings, provides Department -wide video
services, and coordinates all other volunteer programs, to include the Chaplain Program .
b. Legal Division – Works with the City's Legal Department and other criminal justice agencies, assisting the
Chief of Police and other employees with legal issues; provides legal training; reviews proposed legislation,
and provides input during the development and review of policies and procedures; also directs Seizure and
Forfeiture and Nuisance Abatement activities.
c. Office of Professional Standards – Investigates complaints brought against employees of the Department;
reviews all vehicle pursuits, complaints of bias -based profiling and incidents where force has been used by
agency members. Additionally, the Office also houses the Staff Inspections Unit that conducts Department -
wide annual and other required time sensitiv e inspections to determine compliance with General Orders,
Standard Operating Procedures, and accreditation standards.
2. Administrative Services Bureau – Provides administrative support to the Department. The Bureau works to
identify and develop solutions to police related community problems, conducts research for the Department on
history, best practices, and policy, provid es planning services for the Department and acts as an information
resource to supervisors assigned to conduct special projects. The Bureau also works with the City's Labor
Relations Division and represents the Chief of Police during collective bargaining; meets with Unions and
coordinates grievance and arbitration proceedings. The Bureau is organized as follows:
a. Assistant Director, Administrative Services – Consists of:
1) Grants and Special Projects Unit – Manages longer -term projects, including both public and private
grants in areas of interest to the Police Department, supporting, enhancing and/or expanding the
Department’s applications of its community -based, problem -oriented policing philosophy.
2) Fiscal Services Division (FSD) – Responsible for the Depart ment's fiscal processes and procedures,
budget preparation and expenditure analysis, accounting functions, payroll/ personnel, and human
resources support. The Division also manages employees who are on Military, FMLA, Workers
Compensation and other Leave.
3) Information and Technology Services (ITS) Division – Responsible for obtaining, installing, and
maintaining computers and networks designed to promote efficiency in the performance of police
duties. The Application Support Unit , the Building Automation Uni t, the Personal Computer Support
Unit, and the Training