MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

General Order

1. PURPOSE: The purpose of this directive is to establish guidelines for office jurisdiction, mutual aid and regional services.

   
   

2. DISCUSSION: This directive shall apply to all Sheriff's Office personnel. It is beneficial that law enforcement agencies both within the boundaries of Monroe County, Florida and in adjoining jurisdictions be in a position to assist each other as the situation arises. For this purpose it is important for all personnel to know the jurisdiction of this Office and the extent to which mutual aid and services are available from other agencies.

   
   

3. POLICY AND PROCEDURE

   
   

   1. Jurisdiction of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office (MCSO): The legally authorized geographical area under the Sheriff of Monroe County is Monroe County. The enforcement of the Florida State Statutes; Monroe County Ordinances and Islamorada, Marathon and Layton municipal ordinances is authorized in Monroe County unless specifically prohibited or specifically allowed elsewhere by law.

      
      

   2. Concurrent Jurisdictions: Assistance of Local, State, and Federal Agencies:

      
      

      1. MCSO possesses concurrent jurisdiction with the cities of Key West and Key Colony Beach. In addition, MCSO retains concurrent law enforcement jurisdiction in Monroe County with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and the Florida National Guard.

         
         

      2. There are also several Federal law enforcement agencies assigned to Monroe County. They include, but are not limited to, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Customs and Border Protection, United States Wildlife Service and the United States Coast Guard.

         
         

      3. The Sheriff, as well as other local law enforcement agencies, have concurrent jurisdiction on all military property in Monroe County. As such:

         
         

         1. The Navy will adopt the Domestic Abuse Preferred Arrest Policy for all military housing.

            
            

         2. MCSO will, on the basis of the Navy's criminal investigation in which probable cause is shown, arrest for violations of Florida State Statute which occurred on military property.

            
            

            1. Misdemeanor violations will be referred to the State Attorney's Office by complaint

               affidavit.

               
               

            2. Felony violations will be referred to MCSO by complaint affidavit. The responding deputy will make the arrest, complete all related paperwork and transport the prisoner.

               
               

         3. In major cases, if requested, MCSO will assist Navy investigators in crime-scene processing, Homicide Team assistance, case preparation and court presentation.

            
            

         4. If a 911 Emergency Call is received from any local location on military property requesting a deputy, one will respond with notification to Navy police.

            
            

         5. Based on the statements of Navy police officers, deputies can issue criminal traffic citations (i.e., DUI, DWLS etc.) and take whatever action is prudent and appropriate.

            
            

      4. The Sheriff, by law, is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in Monroe County with the full authority and responsibility to uphold the law and preserve the peace. In addition to the Sheriff’s constitutional office, several agencies have been created statutorily or by federal title to deal with specific law enforcement situations that will arise from time to time.

         
         

      5. It is the purpose herein to identify those specific law enforcement situations, as best as possible, and to advise what agency should be contacted relevant to each situation.

         
         

         1. Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE): to be contacted after authorization by Division Commanders for matters deemed necessary.

            
            

         2. Florida Highway Patrol (FHP): to be contacted for all reported or discovered traffic crashes within Monroe County with the exception of those reported or discovered in the City of Key West. FHP will also be contacted for all crashes involving aircraft within Monroe County. FHP may be contacted for situations requiring traffic or any law enforcement assistance. The Sheriff's Office will respond to requests for assistance from FHP via. Communications between the two agencies will be via inter-agency radio, telephone or teletype, whichever assures a prompt and appropriate response. In the event the Highway Patrol requests assistance from the Sheriff's Office, the deputy(s) responding will report to the highest ranking trooper at the scene.

            
            

         3. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): to be contacted for all reported or discovered boating crashes; reported boats in distress; ditched, crashed, abandoned or distressed aircraft in tidal waters; derelict vessels in tidal waters; laws pertaining to the catching, possession and/or selling of saltwater products and any reported or discovered depositing of oil into any saltwater. FWC will also be contacted for all calls pertaining to reported or discovered situations dealing with game or non- game birds, freshwater fish, wild animal life and freshwater aquatic life not in or on United States properties. However, nothing contained herein shall prohibit any deputy sheriff certified pursuant to state statutes from taking appropriate enforcement action should the FWC not be available or their response time would be so great appropriate action could no longer be taken. MCSO will respond to requests for assistance from the FWC. In such events, the deputy(s) responding will report to the highest ranking officer at the scene. Communications between the two agencies will be via inter-agency radio, telephone or teletype.

            
            

         4. Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco: to be contacted when an investigation is deemed necessary for reported or discovered potential violation or violations of the Beverage Law and/or Cigarette Tax Law, however, nothing contained herein shall prohibit any Deputy Sheriff certified pursuant to state statute from taking

            appropriate enforcement action should the situation merit such action. The Sheriff's Office will respond to requests for assistance from the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco. In such events, the Deputy(s) responding will report to the highest ranking agent at the scene. Communications between the two agencies will be via inter-agency radio, telephone, or teletype.

            
            

         5. Key West Police Department (KWPD): to be contacted when requests for service are received for inside the city limits of Key West unless the caller requests the Sheriff's Office respond. However, in instances involving Key West City ordinance(s), KWPD must be contacted. This should be fully explained to the complainant. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit any deputy sheriff certified pursuant to the State Statute from taking appropriate action in any situation for which he/she is authorized within the City of Key West. The Sheriff's Office will respond to requests for law enforcement assistance from KWPD. In such events, the deputy(s) responding will report to the highest ranking officer at the scene. Communications between the two agencies will be via inter-agency radio or telephone.

            
            

            1. Limitations: This plan only applies to unusual occurrences that require the commitment of resources beyond the on-duty shift.

               
               

            2. Authorization

               
               

               1. The Office member receiving a request for aid from the City of Key West Police Department in an unusual occurrence will inform the District I Commander of said request.

                  
                  

               2. The District Commander will begin mobilization of office personnel as per the All Hazard Plan.

                  
                  

               3. Notification will be made via the chain of command to the Sheriff.

                  
                  

            3. All Hazard Plan Implementation: The appropriate plan will be instituted with the following exceptions:

               
               

               1. The station commander will assume field command of all office personnel responding to the request for aid.

                  
                  

               2. The District Commander will report to the KWPD's Officer in Charge and coordinate the direction of office personnel through the station commander as the situation requires.

                  
                  

            4. Assuming Command

               
               

               1. In the event the district commander feels that the office should assume command of the incident to protect the citizens of Monroe County residing in the City of Key West, such a request shall be directed to the Undersheriff.

                  
                  

               2. The final decision to assume command of an incident lies with the Sheriff, who shall notify the Key West Police Chief of such a decision.

                  
                  

               3. Office response plans will be initiated to the fullest extent.

                  
                  

         6. Key Colony Beach Police Department (KCBPD): to be contacted when requests for service are received for inside the city limits of Key Colony Beach unless the caller requests MCSO respond. However, in instances involving a Key Colony Beach City

            Ordinance(s), the KCBPD must be contacted. This should be fully explained to the complainant. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit any deputy sheriff certified pursuant to the State Statute from taking appropriate action in any situation for which he/she is authorized within the City of Key Colony Beach. MCSO will respond to requests for law enforcement assistance from KCBPD. In such events, the deputy(s) responding will report to the highest ranking officer at the scene. Communications between the two agencies will be via inter-agency radio or telephone.

            
            

            1. Limitations: This plan only applies to unusual occurrences that require the commitment of resources beyond the on-duty shift.

               
               

            2. Authorization

               
               

               1. The office member receiving a request for aid from the City of KCBPD in an unusual occurrence will inform the District 4 Commander of said request.

                  
                  

               2. The District 4 Commander will begin mobilization of office personnel as per the All Hazard Plan.

                  
                  

               3. Notification will be made via the chain of command to the Sheriff.

                  
                  

            3. All Hazard Plan Implementation: The appropriate plan will be instituted with the following exceptions:

               
               

               1. The station commander will assume field command of all office personnel responding to the request for aid.

                  
                  

               2. The district commander will report to the City of Key Colony Beach Police Department's Office in Charge and coordinate the direction of MCSO personnel through the station commander as the situation requires.

                  
                  

            4. Assuming Command

               
               

               1. In the event the district commander feels that the office should assume command of the incident to protect the citizens of Monroe County residing in the City of Key Colony Beach, such a request shall be directed to the Undersheriff.

                  
                  

               2. The final decision to assume command of an incident lies with the Sheriff, who shall notify the City of Key Colony Beach Police Chief of such a decision.

                  
                  

               3. Office response plans will be initiated to the fullest extent.

                  
                  

         7. Florida National Guard: to be contacted only by the Sheriff for matters deemed necessary. Generally the National Guard will be requested in the event of a natural disaster or great law enforcement emergency.

            
            

            1. In the event of a pending natural disaster such as a hurricane, continual weather and condition reports will be forwarded to the Sheriff by telephone, teletype or radio. It will then be the decision of the Sheriff and Director of Disaster Preparedness to contact the Governor's Office requesting the National Guard as well as other appropriate agencies.

               
               

            2. In the event of a great law enforcement emergency, the Sheriff shall be continually informed of the situation by telephone, teletype or radio. It will then be the decision of the Sheriff to contact the Governor's Office requesting the National Guard, as well

               as other appropriate agencies.

               
               

         8. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): to be contacted for bank robberies or when information or an investigation deems it appropriate. MCSO will respond to requests for assistance from the FBI. In such events, the deputy(s) responding will report to the highest ranking agent at the scene. Communications between the two agencies will be via inter-agency radio or telephone. When assistance is needed from the FBI, requests will be routed through the appropriate field officers. Requests for assistance will be made by command personnel.

            
            

         9. United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP): To be contacted when assistance is needed in the investigation of illegal substances or products entering or about to enter the boundaries of Monroe County. When assistance is needed from CBP, the request will be routed through the appropriate field office. Requests for assistance will be made by command personnel. MCSO will respond to requests for assistance from CBP. In such events, the deputy(s) responding will report to the highest ranking agent at the scene. Communications between the two agencies will be via inter-agency radio or telephone.

            
            

         10. United States Wildlife Service: to be contacted concerning situations dealing with wildlife or any United States lands in Monroe County or for any situations dealing with wildlife under the jurisdiction US Wildlife Service in Monroe County. When assistance is needed from the US Wildlife Service, requests will be made by supervisory personnel. MCSO will respond to requests for assistance from the US Wildlife Service. In such events, the deputy(s) responding will report to the highest ranking officer at the scene. Communications between the two agencies will be done by whatever means assures a prompt and appropriate response.

             
             

         11. United States Coast Guard (USCG): to be contacted concerning missing boats, boats in distress or boating crashes outside the boundaries of Monroe County with the exception of the areas west of Key West not covered by FWC. Also, the USCG should be notified, when deemed appropriate by investigating personnel, of illegal drugs headed for the boundaries of Monroe County by way of the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico. This should be done as soon as possible after receiving information that the illegal drugs are en route. Information and requests will be forwarded by supervisory personnel to the nearest USCG station.

             
             

   3. Mutual Aid: The Sheriff of Monroe County has entered into mutual aid agreements pursuant to the Florida Mutual Aid Act, Section 23.1225 Florida Statute. These include, but are not limited to, Monroe County’s neighboring agencies of Miami Dade County and Collier County.

      
      

      1. The purpose is to provide mutual aid and assistance in law enforcement situations involving crimes in progress, injuries, disasters or officers in need of assistance.

         
         

      2. All Mutual Aid Agreements shall include, at a minimum, the following details:

         
         

         1. The legal status of agencies and agency personnel responding to mutual aid requests

            
            

         2. procedures for vesting provider agency personnel with the legal authority to act within the receiver agency’s jurisdiction

            
            

         3. procedures for requesting mutual aid

            
            

         4. identity of those persons authorized to request mutual aid

         5. identity of persons to whom outside personnel are to report

            
            

         6. procedures for maintaining radio communication with outside personnel

            
            

         7. expenditures, if any, which should be borne by the receiver agency to compensate for the use of the provider agency’s resources

            
            

         8. procedures for review and revision of the agreement

            
            

         9. any other requirement per Florida Statutes

            
            

      3. All Mutual Aid Agreements shall be maintained and available through MCSO’s legal division.

         
         

   4. Regional Services

      
      

      1. Statewide Radio Frequency: MCSO utilizes the authorized statewide general radio frequency on all radios. This statewide radio frequency is a specifically designated communication network for general law enforcement inter-jurisdictional communication.

         
         

      2. Statewide Fingerprint Records System: FDLE is responsible for the statewide centralized fingerprint system. MCSO fingerprints all persons arrested by any law enforcement agency and forwards the fingerprint cards to FDLE. Also, fingerprints of suspects and unidentified deceased or alive individuals are forwarded FDLE for possible identification.

         
         

      3. Statewide Criminal Information System: The Monroe County Sheriff's Office participates in the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC). This computerized system allows MCSO to enter or inquire about stolen property, missing or wanted persons and vehicle information.

         
         

      4. Statewide Uniform Crime Reporting System: MCSO participates in the Florida Uniform Crime Reporting System managed by FDLE. Criminal information is forwarded monthly, and an annual report is returned depicting crime rates and yearly comparisons.