The consolidation was a result of Senate Bill 2160, passed by lawmakers during the 2011 Legislative Session, which gave responsibility for commercial vehicle licensing, registrations, fuel permits, and enforcement to DHSMV. On July 1, 2011, the Office of Motor Carrier Compliance (a state law enforcement agency responsible for commercial vehicle laws in the state) was transferred from the Florida Department of Transportation to the FHP (which is a division of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles). In 1994, the FHP, in collaboration with all ten cellular phone companies operating in Florida, launched a "Dial *FHP" program, which allowed the public to make free phone calls to FHP to report highway offenses (such as drunk and reckless driving) as well as motorists in distress. In 1948, Florida received national recognition for its driver license program from the National Safety Council. Troopers originally patrolled on motorcycles among the first patrol cars used by the force was the 1940 Ford De Luxe. The FHP was established in 1939 under Colonel H. The Director of the Florida Highway Patrol serves as one of the 19 members of the Florida Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission. BCII handles odometer fraud, VIN number fraud, and in some cases Auto Theft Rings. Its function is slightly different but works hand in hand with FDLE and other agencies. FHP does have a Bureau of Investigation and Intelligence, but it does not do the same thing FDLE does. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida's equivalent to the FBI, handles Criminal Investigations and Officer Records and Training and provides Statewide Crime Lab Services. In Florida, the constitutional Sheriff is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer. Troopers are however sworn law enforcement officers with Statewide Arrest Powers, but unlike for example the Louisiana State Police, FHP only handles Traffic Enforcement and Traffic Crash Investigation on the State of Florida roadways. The Florida Highway Patrol differs from most State Agencies in the Country as it is not considered a State Police. FHP investigates 58% of traffic fatalities in the state these investigations are substantially more complicated than non-fatal traffic investigations. Of the annual average long-form traffic crash reports completed by Florida law enforcement agencies, the 2011 study found that FHP investigated 32% of crashes, county sheriff's offices 23%, and municipal police and other agencies 45%. All other Florida counties fall somewhere among or between these extremes." įHP has statewide jurisdiction, but shortfalls in FHP staffing sometimes lead to sheriff's offices and city police forces picking up more work, straining resources. In other counties like Duval, Broward, and Palm Beach, the Sheriff handles a majority of traffic crash investigations on the same type of roadways. In places like Orange, Escambia, Marion, and many rural counties, the FHP handles all traffic crash investigations in unincorporated areas. The 2011 report noted, "The staffing methodology of the FHP is largely based on historical agency decisions, formal and informal arrangements with local governments, and to some degree political influence.There is a disparity in the level of services provided to local governments that cannot be explained. The FHP's functional role and responsibilities vary significantly among counties. In 17 counties, the Sheriff's Office conducts more crash investigations than the FHP." It is Florida's highway patrol and is the primary law enforcement agency charged with investigating traffic crashes and criminal laws on the state's highways.Ī 2011 study by the Florida Highway Patrol Jurisdiction Team noted that "For all practical purposes, the FHP currently investigates all traffic crashes in the unincorporated areas of 24 counties, and in an additional 26 counties, the majority of crashes. The Florida Highway Patrol ( FHP) is a division of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA).
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