Policy Text
Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (11/20/2025 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: INCIDENT REPORTS
Index as: Crash Reports RMS Reports
Exculpatory Evidence Substantiated
Incident Reports Unfounded
No Reports (NR’s) VIPAR
NR’s Virtual Inmate Processing and Reporting (VIPAR)
Police Reports Written Police Reports
Reports, Police
Accreditation Standards: 4.2.2, 42.1.6, 71.3.1 82.1.5, 82.2.1, 82.2.2, 83.2.6 , 84.1.1
Cross Reference: G.O. II -03, Release Of Information To The Public and News Media
G.O. II -15, Security of Records and Files
G.O. III -14, Property and Evi dence
I.O. V3 -02, Child Abuse Neglect
I.O. V5 -01, Persons Suffering from Mental Illness
I.O. V5 -02 Substance Abuse Impairment
I.O. V5 -18, Domestic Violence
I.O. V5 -24 Missing Persons and Runaways
USB SOP II -10, Traffic Records
USB SOP II -11, Crash Investig ations
§316.066(3), §741.29(2), §937.021, F.S.S.
Replaces : G.O. III -23, Incident Reports, ( June 12, 2023 )
This Directive consist s of the following sections:
I. Introduction
II. Policy
III. Definitions
IV. Reporting Requirements
V. Preparing the Report
VI. Submission and Review of Reports
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Police agencies receive and record information on a vast number of people and a myriad of crimes, incidents,
events, activities and traffic crashes, etc. This repository of information is extremely valuable to research past
occurrences and to provide investigative relationships and leads to investigators.
B. The St. Petersburg Police Department utilizes the Records Management System (RMS) to electronically manage,
retain and recover the various reports prepared by the Department.
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
August 2017 Immediately III-23
Distribution: All Employees
General Order III -23
Revisions or additions are highlighted 2 (11/20/2025 ) C. Alternative r eporting methods available to citizens include the acceptance of certain incidents over the telephone
through the Telephone Reporting Unit (TRU) and, alternatively, a process for self -reporting by use of the Internet
(on-line reporting ).
D. The Department wi ll utilize the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office VIPAR application as the primary means of
completing arrest affidavits and referrals.
1. If VIPAR is unavailable , a hand -written affidavit or referral, will be completed, and
2. A legible copy must be turned int o the Records Division to be scanned and attached to the report.
II. POLICY
A. Officers and investigators will:
1. Properly investigate and fully document all matters which have been self -initiated or brought to their attention.
2. Ensure a complete record of the event is made by preparing a written report for every category of event
described in this Order .
3. Include in their reports all relevant investigative information and reference all material evidence and facts that
are reasonably believed to be either in criminating or exculpatory to any individual in the case.
4. Remain mindful of the need to properly classify the incident under investigation and not make excessive use of
the “Police Information” category unless appropriate.
B. Officers and investigators shou ld fully consider the benefits of reporting acts or incidents where information may
initially be lacking, but the reporting of which may have a positive effect on a future investigation.
III. DEFINITIONS
A. Exculpatory Evidence – Evidence that is favorable to th e accused; is material to the guilt, innocence, or punishment
of the accused; and/or may impact the credibility of a government witness, including a Law enforcement Officer or
other Department employee.
B. Substantiated – The investigation produced evidence which would lead a reasonable person to believe the incident
occurred.
C. Unfounded – The investigation conclusively proved the act complained about did not occur.
D. VIPAR (Virtual Inmate Processing and Reporting) – The Web -based application maintained by the Pinellas County
Sheriff’s Office for completing and processing electronic arrest affidavits , juvenile referrals , and Risk Protection
Orders .
IV. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
A. Documentation including a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) record, an official report prepared with the applicable
RMS module, or the appropriate citation or summons form, will be prepared whenever:
1. Any of the following is reported within the City:
a. Incident s resulting in an employee being dispatched or assigned, including reports of crimes or complaints
by a citizen;
b. Criminal and non -criminal cases initiated by employees ;
c. Incidents resulting in arrests, citations or summonses.
General Order III -23
Revisions or additions are highlighted 3 (11/20/2025 ) 2. The following incidents will be fully d ocumented, and the appropriate RMS module will be utilized to prepare
the required report for:
a. All homicides, suspicious deaths, suicides or unattended deaths;
b. All reports of domestic violence and dating violence; (see I.O. V5 -18, Domestic Violence )
c. Domestic quarrels,