Florida Statutes
Chapter 943 - Department of Law Enforcement
943.10 - Definitions; Ss. 943.085-943.255.


(1) “Law enforcement officer” means any person who is elected, appointed, or employed full time by any municipality or the state or any political subdivision thereof; who is vested with authority to bear arms and make arrests; and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of the state. This definition includes all certified supervisory and command personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, guidance, and management responsibilities of full-time law enforcement officers, part-time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement officers but does not include support personnel employed by the employing agency.
(2) “Correctional officer” means any person who is appointed or employed full time by the state or any political subdivision thereof, or by any private entity which has contracted with the state or county, and whose primary responsibility is the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control, or investigation, of inmates within a correctional institution; however, the term “correctional officer” does not include any secretarial, clerical, or professionally trained personnel.
(3) “Correctional probation officer” means a person who is employed full time by the state whose primary responsibility is the supervised custody, surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or community controllees within institutions of the Department of Corrections or within the community. The term includes supervisory personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, and guidance of correctional probation officers, but excludes management and administrative personnel above, but not including, the probation and parole regional administrator level.
(4) “Employing agency” means any agency or unit of government or any municipality or the state or any political subdivision thereof, or any agent thereof, which has constitutional or statutory authority to employ or appoint persons as officers. The term also includes any private entity which has contracted with the state or county for the operation and maintenance of a nonjuvenile detention facility.
(5) “Commission” means the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
(6) “Part-time law enforcement officer” means any person employed or appointed less than full time, as defined by an employing agency, with or without compensation, who is vested with authority to bear arms and make arrests and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of the state.
(7) “Part-time correctional officer” means any person who is employed or appointed less than full time, as defined by the employing or appointing agency, with or without compensation, whose responsibilities include the supervision, protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a correctional institution.
(8) “Auxiliary law enforcement officer” means any person employed or appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer and who, while under the direct supervision of a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer, has the authority to arrest and perform law enforcement functions.
(9) “Auxiliary correctional officer” means any person employed or appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or part-time correctional officer and who, while under the supervision of a full-time or part-time correctional officer, has the same authority as a full-time or part-time correctional officer for the purpose of providing supervision, protection, care, custody, and control of inmates within a correctional institution or a county or municipal detention facility.
(10) “Private criminal justice training school” means any private school, corporation, or institution, for profit or not for profit, devoted wholly or in part to instruction, by correspondence or otherwise, in criminal justice services, administration, training, and education, which awards any type of certificate, diploma, degree, or recognition for attendance, graduation, study, or participation to students, enrollees, or participants. This definition applies to all such schools operating wholly or in part within the state, including those chartered, incorporated, or formed outside the state.
(11) “Support personnel” means any person employed or appointed by an employing agency who is not an officer or, as specified by the commission, other professional employee in the criminal justice system.
(12) “Program” means the Criminal Justice Professionalism Program of the Department of Law Enforcement.
(13) “Head of the department” means the Governor and Cabinet, as provided for in ss. 20.201 and 20.03(4).
(14) “Officer” means any person employed or appointed as a full-time, part-time, or auxiliary law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer.
(15) “Public criminal justice training school” means any academy operated by an employing agency that is certified by the commission to conduct criminal justice training courses.
(16) “Criminal justice training school” means any private or public criminal justice training school certified by the commission.
(17) “Training center director” means a full-time salaried employee of a criminal justice training school who is responsible for the scheduling and general management of criminal justice courses and supervision and evaluation of criminal justice instructors.
(18) “Auxiliary correctional probation officer” means any person employed or appointed, with or without compensation, who aids or assists a full-time or part-time correctional probation officer and who, while under the supervision of a full-time or part-time correctional probation officer, has the same authority as a full-time or part-time correctional probation officer for the purpose of providing supervision of offenders in the community.
(19) “Part-time correctional probation officer” means a person who is employed less than full time by the state whose primary responsibility is the supervised custody, surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or community controllees within institutions of the Department of Corrections or in the community.
(20) “Diverse population” means members of a cultural group with common origins, customs, and styles of living. This definition includes both ethnic and religious minorities.
(21) “Criminal justice executive” includes executives of law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation agencies.
(22) “Special operations forces” means those active and reserve component forces of the military services designated by the Secretary of Defense and specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. The term includes, but is not limited to, servicemembers of the United States Army Special Forces and the United States Army 75th Ranger Regiment; the United States Navy SEALs and Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen; the United States Air Force Combat Control, Pararescue, and Tactical Air Control Party specialists; the United States Marine Corps Critical Skills Operators; and any other component of the United States Special Operations Command approved by the commission.
History.—s. 7, ch. 74-386; s. 4, ch. 78-323; s. 2, ch. 80-71; ss. 4, 24, 25, ch. 81-24; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 1, ch. 83-259; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 1, ch. 84-156; s. 3, ch. 84-258; ss. 6, 40, ch. 86-183; s. 5, ch. 86-187; ss. 5, 6, ch. 87-186; s. 39, ch. 89-526; s. 47, ch. 91-110; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 12, ch. 95-283; s. 1, ch. 97-225; s. 16, ch. 98-94; s. 1042, ch. 2002-387; s. 2, ch. 2007-45; s. 1, ch. 2018-46.

Structure Florida Statutes

Florida Statutes

Title XLVII - Criminal Procedure and Corrections

Chapter 943 - Department of Law Enforcement

943.01 - Short Title.

943.02 - Definitions.

943.03 - Department of Law Enforcement.

943.031 - Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council.

943.03101 - Counter-Terrorism Coordination.

943.0311 - Chief of Domestic Security; Duties of the Department With Respect to Domestic Security.

943.0312 - Regional Domestic Security Task Forces.

943.0313 - Domestic Security Oversight Council.

943.0314 - Public Records and Public Meetings Exemptions; Domestic Security Oversight Council.

943.032 - Financial Crime Analysis Center and Financial Transaction Database.

943.0321 - The Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Center and the Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Database.

943.04 - Criminal Justice Investigations and Forensic Science Program; Creation; Investigative, Forensic, and Related Authority.

943.041 - Crimes Against Children Criminal Profiling Program.

943.0412 - Identity Theft and Fraud Grant Program.

943.0415 - Cybercrime Office.

943.042 - Violent Crime Investigative Emergency and Drug Control Strategy Implementation Account.

943.043 - Toll-Free Telephone Number; Internet Notification; Sexual Predator and Sexual Offender Information.

943.0433 - Soliciting for Prostitution Public Database.

943.0435 - Sexual Offenders Required to Register With the Department; Penalty.

943.04351 - Search of Registration Information Regarding Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders Required Before Appointment or Employment.

943.04352 - Search of Registration Information Regarding Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders Required When Placement on Misdemeanor Probation.

943.04353 - Triennial Study of Sexual Predator and Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Procedures.

943.04354 - Removal of the Requirement to Register as a Sexual Offender or Sexual Predator in Special Circumstances.

943.0436 - Duty of the Court to Uphold Laws Governing Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders.

943.0437 - Commercial Social Networking Websites.

943.0438 - Athletic Coaches for Independent Sanctioning Authorities.

943.0439 - Interviews of Victims, Suspects, or Defendants With Autism or an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

943.045 - Definitions; Ss. 943.045-943.08.

943.046 - Notification of Criminal Offender Information.

943.05 - Criminal Justice Information Program; Duties; Crime Reports.

943.051 - Criminal Justice Information; Collection and Storage; Fingerprinting.

943.0515 - Retention of Criminal History Records of Minors.

943.052 - Disposition Reporting.

943.0525 - Criminal Justice Information Systems; Use by State and Local Agencies.

943.053 - Dissemination of Criminal Justice Information; Fees.

943.0535 - Aliens, Criminal Records.

943.054 - Exchange of Federal Criminal History Records and Information.

943.0542 - Access to Criminal History Information Provided by the Department to Qualified Entities.

943.0543 - National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact; Ratification and Implementation.

943.0544 - Criminal Justice Information Network and Information Management.

943.055 - Records and Audit.

943.056 - Criminal History Records; Access, Review, and Challenge.

943.057 - Access to Criminal Justice Information for Research or Statistical Purposes.

943.0575 - Public Access to Records.

943.0578 - Lawful Self-Defense Expunction.

943.0581 - Administrative Expunction for Arrests Made Contrary to Law or by Mistake.

943.0582 - Diversion Program Expunction.

943.0583 - Human Trafficking Victim Expunction.

943.0584 - Criminal History Records Ineligible for Court-Ordered Expunction or Court-Ordered Sealing.

943.0585 - Court-Ordered Expunction of Criminal History Records.

943.059 - Court-Ordered Sealing of Criminal History Records.

943.0595 - Automatic Sealing of Criminal History Records.

943.06 - Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council.

943.08 - Duties; Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council.

943.081 - Public Safety System Information Technology Resources; Guiding Principles.

943.082 - School Safety Awareness Program.

943.085 - Legislative Intent With Respect to Upgrading the Quality of Law Enforcement Officers and Correctional Officers.

943.09 - Criminal Justice Professionalism Program.

943.10 - Definitions; Ss. 943.085-943.255.

943.11 - Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission; Membership; Meetings; Compensation.

943.12 - Powers, Duties, and Functions of the Commission.

943.125 - Accreditation of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies, Correctional Facilities, Public Agency Offices of Inspectors General, and Certain Pretrial Diversion Programs; Intent.

943.13 - Officers’ Minimum Qualifications for Employment or Appointment.

943.131 - Temporary Employment or Appointment; Minimum Basic Recruit Training Exemptions.

943.132 - Implementation of Federal Qualified Active or Qualified Retired Law Enforcement Concealed Firearms Provisions.

943.133 - Responsibilities of Employing Agency, Commission, and Program With Respect to Compliance With Employment Qualifications and the Conduct of Background Investigations; Injunctive Relief.

943.134 - Release of Employee Information by Employers.

943.135 - Requirements for Continued Employment.

943.137 - Establishment of Qualifications and Standards Above the Minimum.

943.139 - Notice of Employment, Appointment, or Separation; Response by the Officer; Duty of Commission.

943.1395 - Certification for Employment or Appointment; Concurrent Certification; Reemployment or Reappointment; Inactive Status; Revocation; Suspension; Investigation.

943.1397 - Officer Certification Examinations; Fee.

943.14 - Commission-Certified Criminal Justice Training Schools; Certificates and Diplomas; Exemptions; Injunctive Relief; Fines.

943.146 - Securing of Copyrights by the Department and Sale of Department Work Products.

943.16 - Payment of Tuition or Officer Certification Examination Fee by Employing Agency; Reimbursement of Tuition, Other Course Expenses, Wages, and Benefits.

943.17 - Basic Recruit, Advanced, and Career Development Training Programs; Participation; Cost; Evaluation.

943.1701 - Uniform Statewide Policies and Procedures; Duty of the Commission.

943.1702 - Collection of Statistics on Domestic Violence.

943.171 - Basic Skills Training in Handling Domestic Violence Cases.

943.1715 - Basic Skills Training Relating to Diverse Populations.

943.1716 - Continued Employment Training Relating to Diverse Populations.

943.1717 - Use of Dart-Firing Stun Guns.

943.1718 - Body Cameras; Policies and Procedures.

943.1719 - Basic Skills Training Relating to the Use of Electronic Databases.

943.17191 - Continued Employment Training Relating to the Use of Electronic Databases.

943.172 - Basic Skills Training in Victims Assistance and Rights.

943.1724 - Sexual Assault Investigation Training.

943.1725 - Basic Skills Training on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

943.1726 - Continued Employment Training Relating to Diabetic Emergencies.

943.17261 - Department of Law Enforcement; Training Related to Medical Use of Marijuana.

943.1727 - Continued Employment Training Relating to Autism Spectrum Disorder.

943.1728 - Basic Skills Training Relating to the Protection of Archaeological Sites.

943.1729 - Skills Training Relating to Community Policing.

943.17291 - Basic Skills Training in Juvenile Sexual Offender Investigation.

943.17295 - Continued Employment Training Relating to Juvenile Sexual Offender Investigation.

943.17296 - Training in Identifying and Investigating Elder Abuse and Neglect.

943.17297 - Continuing Employment Training in Identifying and Investigating Human Trafficking.

943.17298 - Training in the Recognition of and Responses to Head Trauma and Brain Injury in a Child Under 6 Years of Age.

943.173 - Examinations; Administration; Materials Not Public Records; Disposal of Materials.

943.1735 - Basic Skills Training Related to Use of Force; Use of Force Policies; Contents.

943.1740 - Standards for Use of Force Investigations.

943.1745 - Training Relating to Officer Health and Wellness Principles.

943.175 - Inservice Training.

943.1755 - Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute.

943.1757 - Criminal Justice Executives; Training; Policy Report.

943.1758 - Curriculum Revision for Diverse Populations; Skills Training.

943.18 - Compensation and Benefits Study; Recommendation.

943.19 - Saving Clause.

943.22 - Salary Incentive Program for Full-Time Officers.

943.25 - Criminal Justice Trust Funds; Source of Funds; Use of Funds.

943.253 - Exemption; Elected Officers.

943.255 - Effect of Chs. 80-71 and 81-24 on Prior Rules and Administrative Proceedings.

943.256 - Criminal Justice Selection Centers; Creation.

943.2561 - Definitions.

943.2562 - Advisory Boards.

943.2563 - Advisory Board Organization; Center Oversight.

943.2564 - Center Supervision; Role of Directing School or Directing Agency.

943.2565 - Centralized Information Centers on Prospective Employment Candidates.

943.2566 - Promotions; Feasibility Study to Establish Pool of Evaluators to Assess Qualifications.

943.2567 - Operation and Administration Accounts; Annual Budget.

943.2568 - Advisory Boards; Expense Reimbursement.

943.257 - Independent Audit Documentation Subject to Inspection.

943.31 - Legislative Intent.

943.32 - Statewide Criminal Analysis Laboratory System.

943.325 - DNA Database.

943.3251 - Postsentencing DNA Testing.

943.326 - DNA Evidence Collected in Sexual Offense Investigations.

943.33 - State-Operated Criminal Analysis Laboratories.

943.34 - Powers and Duties of Department in Relation to State-Operated Laboratories.

943.35 - Funding for Existing Laboratories.

943.36 - Submission of Annual Budget.

943.361 - Statewide Criminal Analysis Laboratory System; Funding Through Fine Surcharges.

943.362 - Forfeiture and Investigative Support Trust Fund.

943.365 - Federal Law Enforcement Trust Fund.

943.366 - Federal Grants Trust Fund.

943.367 - Administrative Trust Fund.

943.37 - Option to Become State-Operated Laboratory; Operational Control.

943.403 - Rulemaking; Criminal Justice Program.

943.44353 - Automatic Notification of Registration Information Regarding Sexual Predators and Offenders.

943.60 - Definitions.

943.601 - Preservation of Legislative Powers.

943.61 - Powers and Duties of the Capitol Police.

943.611 - Director of Capitol Police.

943.62 - Investigations by the Capitol Police.

943.63 - Arrest by the Capitol Police.

943.64 - Ex Officio Agents.

943.66 - Rules; Facilities Program, Capitol Police; Traffic Regulation.

943.67 - Equipment.

943.68 - Transportation and Protective Services.

943.681 - Capitol Police Program; Funding.

943.685 - Authority to Purchase Good Will and Promotional Materials.

943.686 - Unauthorized Use of Department of Law Enforcement Emblems or Names Prohibited.

943.687 - Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission.

943.6871 - Criminal Justice Data Transparency.

943.6872 - Use of Force Data Collection.

943.69 - Care for Retired Police Dogs Program.