Florida Capitol Police - Units

Units

Units of the Florida Capitol Police are:

• Operations:
  • Patrol - Units patrolling the Capitol Building, Holland Building, Pepper Building and the Capital Circle Office Center.
  • Capitol Police Communications Section - Communications is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and responsible for answering and initiating all calls for police and security services at the Capitol and other facilities within the Capitol Complex. Communications has seven full-time staff members and one supervisor.
  • Directed Patrol Team - A six-member team which operates primarily from police bicycles for image enhancement, providing accessibility of uniform police officers to the public. The team also reduces the opportunities for criminal activity by enforcement through proactive policing. Each bike is assigned to an officer as his/her primary mode of transportation. Team members must complete an approved mountain police cyclist course through International Police Mountain Bike Association. Duties are: Patrol Operations support, Special Operations support, response to calls for service, crime prevention and community involvement; crime prevention and fire safety programs; bicycle safety education and awareness; and special events participation.

• Special Operations:
  • Investigations - Investigations consists of one Lieutenant, two sworn investigators and one Government Analyst. The Investigative Team is responsible for all investigations that occur at the Capitol Complex. Duties include conducting extensive background checks on all Capitol Police applicants. Processing of evidence and property; identifying and interviewing suspects and witnesses; and providing evidence to be presented for criminal prosecution. Work closely with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to share intelligence information and provide investigative assistance when necessary
  • Hazardous Devices - Created in 1974, it was the first squad in the North Florida area to become a fully equipped unit, the first to deploy a bomb robot, and the first to be accredited by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Bomb Data Center. Members must pass FBI mandated physicals, have a minimum of three years law enforcement experience and attend a five-week basic course at Redstone Arsenal, located in Huntsville, Alabama. Due to current terrorism trends and the potential for the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), members must also maintain certification as a Hazardous Materials Technician. The team uses specialized equipment such as portable X-rays, bomb suits, disrupters and robots. The Capitol Police Hazardous Devices Unit is part of the Big Bend Regional Bomb Squad along with Tallahassee Police Department and Leon County Sheriff's Office, covering the 13 counties in the North Florida Regional Domestic Security Task Force.
  • K-9 - The K-9 unit has two explosive detection canine teams using the Labrador Retriever and are used to aid Capitol Police in maintaining a safe and secure environment for elected officials, state employees and visitors to the Capitol Complex These teams assist in deterring and preventing any possible terrorist acts in and around the Capitol Complex and conduct checks of vehicles attempting to make deliveries to occupants, checking packages and items being brought into the Capitol Complex through various established checkpoints.

• Special Assignments
  • Critical Incident Team - Created in August 2003, the five-member Critical Incident Team (CIT) bridges the gap between the occurrence of a critical incident and arrival of the Leon County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team. Members have extensive training in responding to any critical incident at the Capitol Complex and participates in joint exercises with the Leon County Sheriff's Office and Tallahassee Police Department simulating hostage and active shooter scenarios
  • Protective Operation Section - Comprising 8 members, the POS provides protective services to members of either of the houses of the Legislature, upon the request of the respective presiding officer. POS team members often train with the Governor's detail to remain current on protective operations and dignitary protection methods.
  • Honor Guard - The Honor Guard consists of four officers and one Sergeant charged with displaying the patriotic colors and adding an air of solemnity at officers and families police funerals, parades, and other ceremonial occasions. They participate in opening of the annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast, opening of the annual Crime Victim's Rights Week, opening of the annual Missing Children's ceremony, FOP Law Enforcement Memorial Service, Springtime Tallahassee Parade, Dedications of streets or monuments for fallen officers, graduation Ceremony for Graduating Law Enforcement Officers from the Police Academy.