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Are investigators with the Bureau of Investigative Services assigned take-home cars?
All investigators with the Bureau of Investigative Services are assigned a vehicle 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The car is used while the employee is on duty.
Is there a way to earn overtime?
Overtime is determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the importance of the work being done. In some instances, overtime is paid. In other circumstances, the investigator or officer is asked to take compensatory time off.
Can investigators take a second job?
It is the policy of the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement to allow employees to engage in outside employment or pursue other activities that do not pose a conflict with their primary job assignments and would not cause an embarrassment to nor detract from the reputation of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
How far can investigators live from their assigned office location?
Personnel are required to live within a 30-mile radius of their assigned office location.
Can investigators carry agency-issued firearms off duty?
The agency allows but does not require off-duty officers to carry their agency-issued firearm so they may be prepared to act as police officers when circumstances are appropriate.
Is there room for advancement in the Bureau of Investigative Services?
The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement is committed to promoting from within where possible. Currently, the Bureau of Investigative Services is allocated five lieutenant positions and two captain positions, which provide promotional opportunities.
How are investigators trained for this job once they are hired or selected from another bureau?
Investigator positions are normally filled through internal promotional opportunity. New investigators have a 12-month probationary period and are required to complete a training program. Employees are evaluated monthly for strengths and weaknesses and given the opportunity to correct deficiencies.
May investigators work and go to school at the same time?
Mandatory training is paid for by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Investigators are encouraged to further their education as long as elective training does not interfere with their established work schedule and they have prior approval from the bureau chief.
How long after being hired can officers apply for other vacancies in the agency?
The current Law Enforcement Bargaining Agreement stipulates that an employee who has attained permanent status in the Career Service System may apply for a reassignment on a Request for Reassignment Form. Except where a vacancy is filled by demotion or where reassignment is not in the best interest of the agency, the representative having hiring authority for that vacancy shall give first consideration to the senior employee who has submitted a Request for Reassignment Form, provided, however, that employees whose Request for Reassignment is not submitted by the first day of the month shall not be considered.
How long does the hiring process take?
Approximately four to six months.
Will someone contact the applicants after the interview process to tell them that they have passed to the next stage, the background phase?
Yes.
Do investigators receive a uniform allowance and how much is it?
Investigators and officers with the Bureau of Investigative Services receive a Clothing and Maintenance Allowance in the amount of $500 annually, paid at the rate of $250 biannually.
Do officers have to wear their bulletproof vest all the time on the job?
Body armor shall be provided to all sworn employees. It is recommended and strongly encouraged that sworn employees wear their issued body armor while performing law enforcement-related duties in the field. Sworn employees are mandated to wear protective vests whenever they are engaged in preplanned high-risk situations.
What are the responsibilities of the Bureau of Investigative Services?
The Bureau of Investigative Services provides law enforcement support services to all divisions of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and conducts criminal and civil investigations as they relate to matters over which FDACS has jurisdiction. The bureau is also responsible for any crimes involving agriculture, including crimes involving farms, farm equipment, animals, livestock, poultry, horticulture, aquaculture or citrus products.
In addition to investigating crimes, the bureau also manages a federal/state program in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for Domestic Marijuana Eradication, provides physical protection for the Commissioner of Agriculture and other dignitaries, and is an active participant in Florida's seven Regional Domestic Security Task Forces.
What types of crimes are investigated?
Crimes investigated by the Bureau of Investigative Services include:
- Consumer crimes, including crimes involving telemarketing, solicitations of contributions, sellers of travel, motor vehicle repair fraud, health studios, pawnshops, and moving and storage companies.
- Animal/livestock crimes, including theft of livestock, illegal movement of animals, suspected outbreaks of contagious and infectious diseases, pet law issues and animal abuse issues.
- Aquaculture crimes, including farm theft, lease trespassing, and regulatory issues such as illegal movement of products.
- Standards-related crimes, including electronic theft of credit card information and crimes involving petroleum products and weights and measures.
- Environmental issues, including illegal pest control operations and illegal dumping.
- Forestry-related issues, including fire investigations primarily associated with careless or reckless acts and arson.
