Orlando Police Department

The Orlando Police Department (OPD) is responsible for law enforcement within the city limits of Orlando, Florida. OPD currently employs over 700 sworn officers and over 100 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.

Mission statement

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

City Crime Ranking

According to 2010 "City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America", published by CQ Press, a unit of Congressional Quarterly Inc, Orlando is ranked the 10th most dangerous city in the country.

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.

Specialized Units

OPD operates a wide range of specialized enforcement units including:

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

Jurisdiction

The Orlando Police Department patrols only within the city proper as illustrated below:

Orlando Police Does Patrol

• Orlando City Proper
• Orlando International Airport
• Universal Studios

Orlando Police Does NOT Patrol

• Walt Disney World / Sea World
• University of Central Florida
• Unincorporated Orange County
• Areas of Orange County Incorporated, but by other municipalities.

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 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.

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the Orlando Police Department, 14 officers have died in the line of duty.^[2]

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.^[3][4][5] The item was later determined to be an empty carrying case for a TOW missile and its launcher.^[6]

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 (Public Information Officers) Office. Reasoning for Installing the new controversial radio system ranged from Officer Safety to Operational Security, The Encryption Modules for each radio costs over $1000 http://www.officer.com/web/online/Top-News-Stories/Orlando-Police-To-Begin-Scrambling-Radio-Scanner-Signals/1$40552

See also

• List of law enforcement agencies in Florida
• List of U.S. state and local law enforcement agencies

References

External links

• Orlando Police Department (official website)