go-55.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS MANUAL SUBJECT Rapid ID Devices CHIEF OF POLICE Signature on File Proudly Policing Since 1826 Nationally Accredited 1986 NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES 55 04/02/2012 07/15/2025 5 AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES Florida State Statute 322.15, License to be carried and exhibited on demand General Order 35, Line Inspections General Order 46, Rules of Conduct Patrol Operations Order 15, Inspections ACCREDITATION REFERENCES CALEA Chapter 82 KEY WORD INDEX Documentation Procedure VII Issuance Protocols Procedure I Non-Standard Uses Procedure VI Prohibited Uses Procedure IV Standard Use Protocols Procedure V Supervisor Responsibilities Procedure III Training Standards Procedure II POLICY Members of the Tallahassee Police Department shall adhere to the training, issuance, and utilization protocols established for the Rapid ID Device. DEFINITIONS Rapid ID Device: A handheld, wireless fingerprint scanning apparatus that communicates with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s integrated criminal history system (FALCON) as a means of establishing the identity of a person.\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT PROCEDURES I. ISSUANCE PROTOCOLS A. The Rapid ID Device (RIDD) will be issued to members as determined by the Chief of Police or designee. B. Only RIDDs which conform to the standards set forth by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will be approved for issuance. C. Only members who have successfully completed Department-approved training on the operation of the RIDD may be issued the device. D. Only Department-owned and issued RIDDs are permitted for use by a Department member. E. Only the Chief of Police or designee may authorize installation, software updates, hardware modifications, and service/maintenance of the RIDD. II. TRAINING STANDARDS A. Members must complete Department-approved RIDD training and demonstrate proficiency using the device before being issued a RIDD. B. RIDD training will include the following topical areas: 1. Manufacture recommendations on use, care, and maintenance. 2. Nomenclature of the device. 3. Legal considerations. 4. Reporting requirements. III. SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES A. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring the RIDD is inspected as part of their equipment inspection responsibility for members under their command who are issued the device as mandated in GO 35 and PTL 15. B. Supervisors are responsible for promptly answering requests to utilize the RIDD in non-standard use situations (outlined in Section VI below), focusing on the best interest of the Department and its mission. GENERAL ORDER 55 PAGE 2 of 5 RAPID ID DEVICES JUNE 15, 2025\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT IV. PROHIBITED USES A. Members shall not utilize the RIDD unless they have successfully completed the Department-approved training for the device. B. Members shall not utilize the RIDD in a manner inconsistent with the Department-authorized training. C. Members shall not force or coerce any person to submit to a RIDD fingerprint scan. D. Members shall not utilize the RIDD for random or generalized investigative or intelligence gathering. E. Members shall not utilize the RIDD for any unlawful purpose, or in any manner which violates the Department’s Mission Statement, or the Law Enforcement Officer’s Code of Ethics. V. STANDARD USE PROTOCOLS A. Members may utilize the RIDD in situations where the person to receive the fingerprint scan has given voluntary consent or permission to the member. 1. The consent can be limited or withdrawn at any point by the person. 2. If consent is withdrawn, use of the RIDD is not authorized, and its use must stop immediately. B. Members may utilize the RIDD when reasonable suspicion has been established that the person to receive the fingerprint scan: 1. Has recently committed, is committing, or is about to commit a criminal act. And, 2. There is a justifiable and reasonable belief use of the RIDD will either establish or nullify the person’s connection with the crime. C. Regarding utilization of the RIDD in reasonable suspicion situations, members should use the RIDD as quickly as possible after reasonable suspicion is established. D. Members may utilize the RIDD when the person to provide the fingerprint scan would otherwise be required to submit to traditional fingerprinting, such as: GENERAL ORDER 55 PAGE 3 of 5 RAPID ID DEVICES JUNE 15, 2025\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. When the person is arrested. Or, 2. In citation-issuance situations where the person has failed to exhibit his or her driver’s license on demand of the member in violation of FS 322.15. E. Members may utilize the RIDD when the use of the device has been specifically authorized by a valid subpoena; however: 1. If the subpoena is not for immediate compliance, the person should be allowed to appear for fingerprinting at the future time indicated on the subpoena. 2. Members must realize the person may be able to suppress the subpoena. 3. Members should address in court any failure of the person to abide by the subpoena and shall not force compliance by enforcement actions (or threat of actions) at the time of the refusal to comply. F. Members may utilize the RIDD when the use of the device has been specifically authorized by a valid court order. VI. NON-STANDARD USES A. With incident-specific supervisory approval, members are authorized to utilize the RIDD in certain law enforcement related situations not outlined under Section V (Standard Use Protocols). Examples include: 1. A request from another law enforcement agency to fingerprint a suspect in custody. 2. Identification of a deceased person in an active Department investigation when there is no other means readily available for identification. 3. Identification of an unconscious or incapacitated person in an active Department investigation when there is no other means readily available for identification. B. The member wanting to utilize the RIDD in a non-standard manner is responsible for first obtaining supervisory authorization. 1. Acting supervisors are authorized to approve a non-standard use of a RIDD. 2. If a supervisor is not available, the member shall make the request of the on-duty watch commander. GENERAL ORDER 55 PAGE 4 of 5 RAPID ID DEVICES JUNE 15, 2025\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT VII. DOCUMENTATION OF A RIDD POSITIVE MATCH In standard and non-standard utilizations, if the use of the RIDD results in a positive match (i.e., hit), the member utilizing the device is responsible for ensuring the positive match is documented in a Department report. History: Issued 04/02/2012. GENERAL ORDER 55 PAGE 5 of 5 RAPID ID DEVICES JUNE 15, 2025