Orlando, Florida Police Department

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Orlando Police Department
Courage, Pride, and Commitment
Established	1875
Jurisdiction	City
Sworn	700+
Non-sworn	100+
Jails	Orange County Corrections
Chief	Valdez B. Demings

The Orlando Police Department (OPD) is a municipal police agency responsible for law enforcement within the city limits of Orlando, Florida. OPD currently employs over 1001 sworn officers and civilian employees serving the citizens of Orlando through crime prevention, criminal investigations and apprehension, neighborhood policing, involvement through the schools with young people and overall delivery of police services.

[edit] Mission Statement

Keep Orlando a safe city by reducing crime and maintaining livable neighborhoods.

[edit] City Crime Ranking

According to The 14th annual "City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America", published by CQ Press, a unit of Congressional Quarterly Inc, Orlando is ranked the 11th most dangerous city in the country. It is based on the FBI's Sept. 24, 2007 crime statistics report.

[edit] Police Academy

Through a joint effort with other local agencies and Valencia Community College, uncertified newly hired officers attend a 19 week academy at the Criminal Justice Institute at VCC. Officers who have already obtained Florida State Law Enforcement Certification prior to being hired do not attend. After certification through an academy, all new officers are required to take part in a 22 week field training program.

[edit] Specialized Units

OPD operates a wide range of specialized enforcement units including:

• Traffic Enforcement
• Mounted Patrol (Horses)
• Marine Patrol
• Airport Division (Orlando International Airport)
• Bike Unit
• K-9 Unit
• Gang Unit
• SWAT
• International Drive Team

[edit] Jurisdiction

A common misconception is that OPD officers patrol Walt Disney World properties. Disney World is actually about 20 miles south of the city limits in unincorporated Orange County and Osceola County therefore all law enforcement officers there are in fact deputy sheriffs. Much of the International Drive tourist strip including Universal Orlando and Wet-N-Wild Water Park are located within the city limits and actively patrolled by OPD officers. SeaWorld and the Orange County Convention Center are patrolled by the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

[edit] Accreditation

In 1997, the Orlando Police Department became an accredited police agency as certified by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation. To accomplish this task, the agency showed compliance with hundreds of standards established by the Commission. In October of 2000 and again in 2003 the Department successfully completed re-accreditation. Also in October 2003 the Department achieved National Recognition from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

[edit] Fallen Officers

Since the establishment of the Orlando Police Department, 14 officers have died in the line of duty. ^[1]

[edit] Kicks for Guns program

The police department has managed, along with local radio program The Monsters In The Morning on WTKS-FM, a "no questions asked" gun exchange for gift cards or sports shoes. In August, 2007, a man turned in an item first identified as a rocket launcher resulting in international publicity. ^[2][3][4] The item was later determined to be an empty carrying case for a TOW missile and its launcher. ^[5]

[edit] Radio Encryption

On April 19 2008, The Department migrated from their existing radio system to a new Motorola APCO 25 Digitial Radio System, Chief Demings advised in a meeting with local citizens and the news media that the news media and public will no longer have access to the system, and that all information coming out of the department will be issued through the PIO (Publlic Information Officers) Office, This has caused Outrage among the Media and Civilian Community, Reasoning for Installing the new controversial radio system ranged from Officer Safety to Security

[edit] See also

Florida Portal

• List of law enforcement agencies in Florida

[edit] External links

• Orlando Police Department (official website)

[edit] References