321.065  Traffic accident investigation officers; employment; standards.--The department may employ traffic accident investigation officers who must complete any applicable standards adopted by the Florida Highway Patrol, including, but not limited to: cognitive testing, drug testing, polygraph testing, psychological testing, and an extensive background check, including a credit check.

History.--s. 39, ch. 99-248.

321.14  Construction.--This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that the greatest force and effect may be given to its provisions for the promotion of public safety.

History.--s. 53, ch. 19551, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 4157(662); s. 54, ch. 20451, 1941.

321.23  Public records; fees for copies; destruction of obsolete records; photographing records; effect as evidence.--

(1)  The purpose of this section is to make available for the use of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles sufficient floor space to enable it to efficiently administer the affairs of the department and to provide fees for copies of public records.

(2)  Fees for copies of public records shall be charged and collected as follows:

(a)  For a crash report, a copy ............ $2

(b)  For a homicide report, a copy ............ $25

(c)  Photographs (accidents, etc.):

Enlargement

Color            Black  

Proof

& White 

1.  5" x 7"

$1.00            $0.75  

2.  8" x 10"

$1.50            $1.00  

3.  11" x 14"

Not Available        $1.75  

4.  16" x 20"

Not Available        $2.75  

5.  20" x 24"

Not Available        $3.75  

(d)  The department shall furnish such information without charge to any local, state, or federal law enforcement agency upon proof satisfactory to the department as to the purpose of the investigation.

(3)  Fees collected under this section shall be deposited in the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund.

(4)  The department is authorized to destroy reports, records, documents, papers, and correspondence which are considered obsolete.

(5)  The department is authorized to photograph, microphotograph, or reproduce on film such documents, records, and reports as it may select. The photographs or microphotographs in the form of film or print of any records made in compliance with the provisions of this section shall have the same force and effect as the originals thereof would have and shall be treated as originals for the purpose of their admissibility in evidence. Duly certified or authenticated reproductions of such photographs or microphotographs shall be admitted in evidence equally with the original photographs or microphotographs.

History.--ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 26978, 1951; s. 1, ch. 63-371; ss. 24, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 4, ch. 82-130; s. 70, ch. 93-120; s. 278, ch. 99-248.

321.24  Members of an auxiliary to Florida Highway Patrol.--

(1)  The director of the Florida Highway Patrol is hereby authorized to establish an auxiliary to the Florida Highway Patrol to be composed of such persons who may volunteer to serve as members of an auxiliary to the Florida Highway Patrol as defined in s. 943.10(8).

(2)  Members of an auxiliary serving with the Florida Highway Patrol shall at all times serve under the direction and supervision of the director and members of the Florida Highway Patrol. After approval by the director on an individual basis and after completion of a firearms course approved by the director, members of an auxiliary, while serving under the supervision and direction of the director, or a member of the Florida Highway Patrol, shall have the power to bear arms and make arrests. Members of an auxiliary shall have the same protection and immunities afforded regularly employed highway patrol officers, which shall be recognized by all courts having jurisdiction over offenses against the laws of this state.

(3)  The director of the Florida Highway Patrol shall determine the fitness of persons to serve as members of an auxiliary, shall require their completion of a regularly prescribed course of study for members of an auxiliary as established and conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol. The total number of members of the auxiliary to the Florida Highway Patrol shall be limited to 5 times the total number of regularly employed highway patrol officers authorized by law.

(4)  No member of the auxiliary shall be required to serve on any duty of and for said auxiliary without his or her consent thereto. The duties of the auxiliary shall be limited to assisting the Florida Highway Patrol in the performance of its regularly constituted duties.

(5)  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, any volunteer highway patrol troop surgeon appointed by the director of the Florida Highway Patrol and any volunteer licensed health professional appointed by the director of the Florida Highway Patrol to work under the medical direction of a highway patrol troop surgeon is considered an employee for purposes of s. 768.28(9).

(6)  The director of the Florida Highway Patrol may present to an officer who retires from the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary after a minimum of 20 years of service one complete uniform, including the badge worn by that officer; the officer's service handgun, if one was issued as part of the officer's equipment; and an identification card clearly marked "RETIRED."

History.--ss. 1-4, ch. 57-96; s. 1, ch. 71-15; s. 392, ch. 95-148; s. 36, ch. 97-300; s. 24, ch. 2005-164; s. 1, ch. 2007-45.

321.245  Disposition of certain funds in the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund.--The director of the Florida Highway Patrol, after receiving recommendations from the commander of the auxiliary, is authorized to purchase uniforms and equipment for auxiliary law enforcement officers as defined in s. 321.24 from funds described in s. 627.733(7). The amounts expended under this section shall not exceed $50,000 in any one fiscal year.

History.--s. 2, ch. 95-202; s. 26, ch. 96-413.

321.25  Training provided at patrol schools.--The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is authorized to provide for the training of law enforcement officials and individuals in matters relating to the duties, functions, and powers of the Florida Highway Patrol in the schools established by the department for the training of highway patrol candidates and officers. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is authorized to charge a fee for providing the training authorized by this section. The fee shall be charged to persons attending the training. The fee shall be based on the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' costs for providing the training, and such costs may include, but are not limited to, tuition, lodging, and meals. Revenues from the fees shall be used to offset the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' costs for providing the training. The cost of training local enforcement officers shall be paid for by their respective offices, counties or municipalities, as the case may be. Such cost shall be deemed a proper county or municipal expense or a proper expenditure of the office of sheriff.

History.--s. 1, ch. 57-292; ss. 24, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 30, ch. 95-333.