§ 22-83. Training and qualifications.

(a)

A training program for the certification of contractors' licensing investigators for the purpose of authorization to issue citations for violations of article V, of the county contractors' licensing ordinance and a training program for the certification of zoning investigators for the purpose of authorization to issue citations for violations of the county zoning ordinance, exotics ordinance, and protected tree ordinance and amendments thereto, shall include the following:

(1)

Ordinance definition:

a.

Florida constitution authorizes the board of county commissioners to enact ordinances for the governing of the county on matters of local nature.

b.

State statute vs. county ordinance:

1.

Authority to enforce.

(2)

Provisions of the protected tree ordinance, exotics ordinance, zoning ordinance and contractors' licensing ordinance.

(3)

Methods of enforcement:

a.

Receiving complaints of alleged violations of ordinance:

1.

Telephone.

2.

In person.

3.

Written.

4.

Observation.

5.

Referred by sheriff's department or other agency.

b.

Recognizing elements that constitute violations of the zoning ordinance, protected tree ordinance, exotics ordinance, and contractors' licensing ordinance, as applicable.

c.

Enforcement:

1.

Contact with complainant.

2.

Contact with offender.

3.

Instructions and advice.

4.

Warnings, written, oral.

i.

The numbers of warnings.

ii.

Time between warnings.

5.

Prosecution:

i.

Issue citations.

ii.

Cases that require state's attorney involvement.

6.

Advise complainant of action taken if appropriate.

(4)

Laws of evidence:

a.

Tangible:

1.

Personal observation.

2.

Photographs.

b.

Statements:

1.

Sworn statements.

2.

Admissions by defendant.

3.

Statements by defendant.

4.

Statements of witnesses.

c.

Obtaining and securing evidence:

1.

Identifying photographs.

2.

Marking.

3.

Maintenance custody.

(5)

Report writing:

a.

Composition:

1.

Who, what, where, when, why, how?

b.

Forms:

1.

Complaint reports.

2.

Supplement reports.

3.

Letters and correspondence.

4.

Warning citations or notices.

5.

Notice of violations (tags).

6.

Citations.

(6)

Procedure for issuing citations:

a.

Establish that a violation of the ordinance occurred in the presence of the officer.

b.

Identify the violation.

c.

Identify the offender.

d.

Obtain all necessary evidence to prove the violation of the ordinance.

e.

Contact the offender and explain the violation.

f.

Issue the completed citation form.

g.

Have defendant sign the citation form.

h.

If the offender refuses the citation, seek prosecution through the state's attorneys office.

i.

Write a comprehensive report of the violation for office records.

j.

Distribution of the issued citation form and backup material, evidence, etc.

k.

What to do when:

1.

The offender refuses to give you his identification or driver's license.

2.

The offender refuses to sign the citation.

(Ord. No. 82-20, § 3; Ord. No. 85-34, § 3)