Policy Text
POLICY
166.0NARCOTICS - FELONY
REVISED: 11/2011 RELATED POLICIES:
Reviewed by Chief David Magnusson
4/2019
A.PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to direct Department Members in the proper method of
handling narcotics cases.
B.POLICY
Due to the high liability nature of narcotics cases, it is the policy of the El Portal Police
Department to handle all narcotics and narcotics cases as directed by Florida Law or
when applicable, Federal Law, Department Policy and Standard Operating Procedures.
There shall be no deviation from these directives when handling narcotics or narcotics
cases.
C.FILING RESPONSIBILITY
Responsibility for the filing of felony narcotics cases with the Office of the State
Attorney lies with the investigative and/or arresting officer. Many narcotics possession
arrests and some narcotics trafficking cases will automatically be filed, if the cases are
not of a complex nature. However, the Office of the State Attorney will request that
narcotics cases involving situations that are more complex be filed by the investigating
and/or arresting officer.
D.HANDLING
All personnel are cautioned to use care in handling narcotics. All personnel must use
medical gloves and wash their hands immediately after coming in contact with any type
of narcotic, as ingestion of the narcotic could occur should the fingers be exposed to the
mouth. Additionally, some types of narcotics may be absorbed through direct contact
with the skin. Narcotic evidence (containers, etc. may be processed for latent fingerprints
in an effort to strengthen the case.) NOTE: See the Narcotics Section of “Evidence
Procedures” for preparing and submitting narcotic evidence.
E.POLICE OFFICER RESPONSIBILITY
1.Those narcotic violations involving little or no investigation and which do not
constitute “trafficking” violations are considered “street level” narcotics
violations. The investigations of these street-level violations are the responsibility
of all sworn police officers. Copies of all narcotic reports will be forwarded to the
Chief of Police or his/her designee for review and follow up.
2.Should an officer be confronted with a narcotics violation, which is beyond street
level, that officer will immediately contact his supervisor and the Chief of Police
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or his/her designee.
3.Officers will not initiate or conduct undercover drug operations without the
approval of the Chief of Police or his/her designee.
a.In situations where an officer either anticipates or actually makes a seizure
of an amount of narcotics, which indicates a narcotics violation beyond
street level (trafficking amounts), that officer will immediately notify his
supervisor. The supervisor will then determine if a narcotics detective
will respond and handle the incident.
F.SEARCH WARRANTS
All narcotic warrants shall be under the direction of the Chief of Police or his/her
designee, unless turned over to Miami Dade Police SRT due to a threat assessment. If
SRT is designated to coordinate/supervise then the coordinator and supervisor will be the
SRT Commander and/or Team Leaders.
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