Policy Text
POLICY
189.0WARRANT ARREST
REVISED: 11/2011 RELATED POLICIES:
Reviewed by Chief David Magnusson
5/2019
A.WARRANT ARREST
Only sworn officers may execute arrest warrants. An officer who is notified that an
active warrant/capias exists for a subject being detained will take every step reasonable to
insure that the match is correct before affecting the arrest. This can be accomplished
through verification of supporting evidence such as height, weight, eye and hair color,
scars, marks, tattoos or other unusual features. Driver's license, Social Security numbers
or any other reasonable identifying factors may be considered.
1.Upon determining that the subject matches the warrant, the arrest will be made
and proper F.C.I.C./N.C.I.C. notification will be completed through teletype and
documented in the offense report.
2.The offense report will contain those elements on which the officer made this
verification determination.
B.SUBJECT INSIDE BUILDING
1.When an officer has the legal right to be inside a building the officer will follow
set guidelines as stated in section A.
2.Forced entry of building to effect arrest:
a.Officers may make forced entry into a building to effect a warrant arrest
under the following guidelines.
(1).When a felony warrant exists and with the approval of the Chief
of Police or his/her designee.
(2).The officer has reasonable cause to believe the suspect is inside
the building.
b.Officers cannot make forced entry on arrests based on probable cause
affidavits.
C.LEGAL GUIDELINES
Arrests by warrant, Florida Legal Guidelines.
1.The officer executing an arrest warrant need not have it in possession.
Page 1 of 2
2.An arrest warrant may not be dismissed because of defect in form.
3.An officer may use all necessary and reasonable force to enter any building or
property where the person to be arrested is or is reasonably believed to be, after
announcing authority and purpose and fails to gain admittance, FSS 901.19.
Page 2 of 2