OCSO MOUNTED POSSE
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
SPECIAL ORDER
This order consists of the following:
1. Purpose
2. Procedures
1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for Volunteer Mounted Posse Unit Members in the performance of their volunteer duties.
2. Procedures
A. Duties
1. The Volunteer Mounted Posse Unit is comprised of volunteers who serve without
compensation in a non-sworn capacity to augment agency components. Mounted Posse
members utilize horses and support personnel during search and recovery operations of
missing persons, limited natural disaster search operations, search for articles of evidentiary
value, parades and other demonstrations of search and rescue operations. Additional duties may
be assigned.
B. Organization
1. The Volunteer Mounted Posse Unit shall be organized into squads. The program coordinator shall
be the Mounted Patrol Supervisor or his/her designee. The Mounted Posse supervisor shall be
the program coordinator responsible for the daily operation of the Volunteer Mounted Posse Unit
and shall act as liaison between the Volunteer Mounted Posse Unit and the Orange County
Sheriff’s Office.
2. The Mounted Patrol Supervisor shall appoint Volunteer Mounted Posse members to serve in the
following capacities and perform the following duties.
a. Civilian Posse Coordinator shall:
1. Be responsible for the overall supervision of Volunteer Mounted Posse volunteers.
2. Act as liaison between the agency and squad members.
3. Be available by Nextel/cell phone.
4. Coordinate the daily activities of the posse.
5. Plan training and events.
6. Attend all training, events and call-outs.
7. Meet with the mounted patrol supervisor.
8. Work with sworn and civilian members of posse.
b. Assistant Civilian Posse Coordinator shall:
1. Assist Civilian Posse Coordinator in the day-to-day operations of the Volunteer
Mounted Posse squads.
2. Be available by Nextel/cell phone access.
3. Take over in the event of the Coordinator’s absence.
4. Assist in training horses and personnel
5. Attend all training, events and call-outs
6. Have proven horsemanship skills and abilities
c. Squad Leaders shall:
1. Act as liaison between the Civilian Posse Coordinator and squad members.
2. Supervise approximately ten members.
3. Be available by either phone or pager access.
4. Be responsible for all squad equipment.
5. Notify their squad of all training, events and call-outs.
6. Train squad members.
7. Take over in the absence of the Civilian Posse Coordinator and his/her assistant.
8. Attend training on a regular basis.
9. Have proven horsemanship skills and abilities.
d. Assistant Squad Leaders:
1. Assistant squad leaders assist the squad leaders in his/her assigned duties. In the
absence of the squad leader, the assistant squad leader shall assume squad leader
duties as directed by the Mounted Patrol Supervisor or the Civilian Posse
Coordinator.
C. Uniforms and Equipment
1. Members of the program shall not be equipped with, carry, or have access to firearms while on
duty. Prior to being issued chemical spray the civilian volunteers shall comply with agency policy
regarding training.
2. Personnel are expected to present a neat, clean and orderly appearance.
3. The agency will provide uniforms to members of the program as may be required for the fulfillment
of their duties. The uniform shall be clearly distinguishable from that of the uniform worn by sworn
members of the agency.
a. The issued shirt/trouser shall conform to current agency policy concerning volunteer
uniforms.
b. The uniform will have a badge, which does not incorporate a five-point star.
c. Shoulder patches shall clearly differ from those of sworn personnel.
d. The prescribed and issued uniform will be the only acceptable attire for members of the
program while on duty.
e. Members shall not wear any item of the uniform when not on duty. They may wear the
uniform when traveling directly to and from their residence to their assigned duty station.
f. Members shall be issued appropriate agency credentials.
g. Members who choose to carry issued Individual Protection Device (I.P.D.) shall wear it on
their duty belt. The I.P.D. shall not be carried when not in uniform.
h. The agency shall issue an identification card clearly marked “Mounted Posse“to all
Mounted Posse members.
i. As directed by the Volunteer Services liaison or designee, Posse members may be
issued agency equipment (e.g., portable radio, compass, rope etc.) to support Posse
operations.
j. The Mounted Patrol Supervisor or designee shall ensure that all Posse members are
trained in the use of agency issued equipment and shall ensure that all such training is
properly documented and maintained.
k. Posse members shall expeditiously report the loss of or damage to agency identification
cards or equipment to the liaison officer, who shall complete the necessary paperwork.
D. Application Process
1. The Sheriff’s Volunteer Coordinator shall:
a. Conduct background and criminal history checks on Volunteer Mounted Posse applicants.
The agency coordinator shall approve or disapprove Volunteer Mounted Posse
applicants based in part on the results of the background investigation and an interview
by the Mounted Patrol Squad supervisor or designee and squad leaders.
b. Ensure that admission or rejection of applicants is in accordance with agency directives.
2. Qualifications
a. All volunteers shall meet the following minimum requirements for membership:
1. Must be eighteen years of age or older.
2. Must own a horse.
3. Must live in Orange County or an adjoining county to be an OCSO Mounted Posse
member.
4. Mounted Posse applicants shall pass pre-screener tests to demonstrate
horsemanship, horse control and abilities. The agency liaison officer or designee
shall make final applicant approval.
5. Must not have been dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.
6. Must not have been convicted or have plead no contest to a felony or any offense
which would be a felony if committed in Florida.
7. Must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
8. Must not have used any controlled substance within the past three years other than
prescription drugs under the guidance of a licensed physician.
9. Must possess a valid Florida Drivers License.
10. Must have an application on file.
11. Must be able to perform the essential functions of their assigned duties.
12. Must successfully complete a background investigation to be conducted by the
agency coordinator or designee.
E. Requirements
Members shall volunteer a minimum of 192 hours per year, 16 hours each month. Volunteers shall
attend business and training meetings each month.
F. Conduct
1. Members represent the agency while acting in their official capacity and must conduct themselves
in such a manner as to demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism.
2. Members shall be polite and courteous to the public at all times.
3. Members shall restrict their activity to those tasks and duties which do not require a sworn law
enforcement officer.
4. Members will not deviate from their duties as stated in this policy.
5. While on duty, members must have their agency issued identification with them.
6. Members shall not display their identification or uniform to secure special privileges or personal
gain.
7. Identification shall be displayed at all times while members are in agency facilities except when
wearing the issued uniform.
8. A member's position within the agency may provide him/her with access to confidential or
sensitive information. This information shall not be divulged to unauthorized persons.
9. If a member cannot fulfill a scheduled assignment, the member shall notify the unit supervisor or
squad leaders at least four (4) hours prior to the start of that shift or the scheduled assignment.
10. No member shall report for duty while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
11. No member shall consume alcohol or drugs while on duty. This includes prescription drugs, which
significantly affect the ability to perform assigned duties.
12. The agency reserves the right to suspend, terminate or exclude any Mounted Posse member with
or without cause from participation in Sheriff’s Office activities or programs.
13. Members shall not at any time carry firearms on their person while on duty or in Sheriff’s Office
vehicles or into agency facilities. This shall include any member who has been issued a Florida
State concealed firearm permit
G. Injuries
1. Mounted Posse members sustaining injuries during the performance of their duties shall within 24
hours of the injury inform the liaison officer or designee, who shall ensure their injuries, are
appropriately reported to the agency. Injured Posse members may qualify for workers’
compensation benefits.
2. Injuries to volunteers, their horses or property shall be reported in accordance with agency policy.
H. Training
1. No member shall perform duties in any capacity until they have satisfactorily completed the
agency prescribed course of instruction.
2. Training shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
a. Orientation on agency written directives.
b. Traffic safety, first aid, CPR and Bloodborne pathogens, HAZMATT and a 40-hour basic
class
c. Observation of criminal and suspicious activity while on duty.
d. Communications and radio procedures with practical radio exercises.
e. Traffic direction and control.
f. Recognizing and avoiding hazardous situations.
g. Individual Protection Device (I.P.D.) for those volunteers who opt to carry this issued item.
The use of this item is voluntary.
I. Responsibilities
1. All assignments shall be completed as soon as possible and related paperwork returned the
same day. If an assignment cannot be completed, the member must return it along with an
explanation for the non-completion to the unit supervisor or squad leader.
2. Members shall patrol areas assigned by the agency coordinator or unit supervisor and perform
duties as directed.
3. When members observe any suspicious or criminal activity, they shall immediately withdraw to a
position of safety and contact the dispatcher and request law enforcement assistance.
4. Members shall not deliberately or knowingly exhibit themselves to any dangerous situations nor
approach suspicious persons or vehicles.
5. Members shall not conduct traffic stops under any circumstances.
6. Members shall not conduct interrogations, field interviews or any other act, which would imply,
directly or
indirectly, that they are a law enforcement officer taking enforcement action.
7. Members shall comply with applicable agency directives, laws, and local ordinances.
8. Members shall comply with agency and FCC regulations governing radio use.
9. Members shall not respond to the scene of police investigations or apprehension efforts unless
directed.
J. Horses
1. All horses shall have a negative Coggins test, a copy of which shall be provided to the Mounted
Patrol Supervisor or designee.
2. The Mounted Patrol Supervisor or designee shall have sole discretion regarding suitability of a
horse for participation in the activities of the Volunteer Mounted Posse.
3. All horses shall be declared healthy by a licensed veterinarian prior to their participation in this
program.
4. All horses shall be treated humanely and shall be provided necessary shelter, water and rest
during their participation in the activities of the Volunteer Mounted Posse.
