Policy Text
Tarpon Springs Police Department
Arrest and Transportation Procedures
General Order # 270
Effective Date: March 15, 2021
Amends: G.O. 270 7/12/2019
Chief Jeffrey P. Young
270.01 POLICY
Preventing and deterring crime are two major objectives of the Police Department.
Realistically, these two objectives can never be fully attained; therefore, it becomes
necessary to arrest persons who have violated the law. Of ficers must act reasonably within
the limits of their authority as defined by statute and judicial interpretation, thereby ensuring
that the rights of the individual and the public are protected.
270.02 PURPOSE
The purpose of this General Order is to establish legal justification for making arrests and
to give methods and procedures for handling of persons arrested.
270.03 PROCEDURE
270.031 Authority – Tarpon Springs Police Officers shall have full arrest authority within the
corporate limits of the City of Tarpon Springs. This authority can extend outside of the city
limits based upon fresh pursuit or acting within the scope of a mutual aid agreement . The
police authority is defined in FL. Statute 943.10 (1).
270.032 Discretion – Uniform application of the law is a primary element in the use of discretion.
Whether the situation involves a use of force, a decision to arrest, the detention of a traff ic
violator, or the handling of a routine call or service request, the officers actions shall be
consistent with good judgment, equal protection under the law, restraint and understanding.
Each officer will be held accountable for the use of discretion and should be prepared to
justify discretionary decisions.
270.04 PRINCIPLES OF ARREST
No officer shall take any enforcement actions based on any county or city ordinance, or
administrative rule contrary to House Bill 45 relating to the regulations of f irearms and
ammunition, and should refer to chapter 790 of Florida State Statues for enforcement
efforts.
270.041 Misdemeanor arrests - a police officer may arrest for a misdemeanor under the following
conditions:
A. on a warrant
B. on an act commit ted in the officer’s presence
C. Based on a misdemeanor exception, which establishes the following crimes for
which an officer can make an arrest if probable cause exist, but it didn’t occur in
the officer’s presence;
(1) in an accident investigation
(2) retail or farm theft
(3) defrauding innkeeper
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(4) stalking
(5) possession of cannabis
(6) trespass on school grounds
(7) loitering or prowling
(8) child abuse
(9) disorderly conduct on the premises of a public lodging establishment
(10) carrying concealed weapons
(11) act of domestic violence
(12) violation of domestic violence injunction
(13) battery
(14) vandalism
270.042 Felony Arrests - A police officer may arrest for a felony under these conditions
A. on a warrant
B. on an act committed in the officer’s presence
C. on probable cause
270.05 MECHANICS OF ARREST
270.06 Use of Force Officers are permitted to use only the force that is reasonable and necessary
to protect others or themselves from bodily harm while affectin g an arrest.
270.07 Arresting Officers Responsibility
270.071 The arresting officer is responsible for the safety and the protection of arrested persons while
in their custody.
270.072 The arresting officer will notify his or her supervisor of any apparent injury, illness or other
conditions, which indicate that the arrested person may need special care, such as
hospitalization or emergency room care.
270.073 The arresting officer is responsible for the security of the personal property in the poss ession
of the arrested person or under his control at the time of the arrest.
270.074 The arresting officer is responsible for notifying parents or guardians of any juvenile
arrested.
270.08 Prisoner Security whenever a person has been arrested by officers from the Tarpon Springs
Police Department, the officers involved will take measures to insure that the arrested person
does not escape from their custody. The arresting officer and anyone else involved with the
arrest will take appropriate steps to make sure the arrested person(s) is securely handcuffed
while not in a secure facility and adequately supervised. When in a secure facility such as
the booking room, they will check to make sure that the appropriate doors ar e secured at all
times and that someone is monitoring the prisoner(s). If a prisoner escapes because of
negligence or carelessness on the part of an officer, it shall be considered neglect of duty.
270.09 Handcuffing and Restraining Devices All persons arrested and/or transported will be
handcuffed behind the back. If a situation occurs where the subject is unable to be
handcuffed behind the back then multiple sets of handcuffs can be used. Officer discretion
is allowed in dealing with very y oung juveniles, very elderly persons or situations which
endanger the subject, due to their condition who offer no resistance to the arrest. Leg Iron
restraints or a Hobble restraint should be used for all violent subjects. When transporting a
subject arre sted for a forcible felony whether violent at the time of transport or not to another
receiving facility Leg Irons will be used.
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270.10 Searches All persons arrested and taken into custody will be searched by the arresting
officer before transporting . If the transporting officer is