Frequently Asked Questions

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1.00 - General Questions

• 1.01) Can a deputy open my car if I have locked my key inside?

  Because of the potential for damage to vehicles, the Sheriff's Office does not open locked vehicles. A locksmith is your best alternative. Check the listing under "locksmith" in the yellow pages of your local telephone book. If a child is locked inside the vehicle, call 9-1-1. The Fire Department will send a rescue unit to remove the child from the vehicle.

• 1.02) How can I get an Injunction for Protection?

  An Injunction for Protection can be obtained by going to the third floor of the Osceola County Courthouse to the offices of Family Court Services and Victims Assistance. The contact numbers are 407-742-2464 Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. In the event of an emergency during after hours, contact Help Now at (407) 847-8562. Once granted, the Sheriff's Office will serve the Injunction at no charge.

• 1.03) How can I find out if there is a warrant for someone?

  For a statewide search, log onto the Florida Department of Law Enforcement web site at www.fdle.state.fl.us.  However, before requesting a search, you will need the subject's first name, last name, middle initial, race, sex and date of birth.

• 1.04) How can I obtain a background check on someone?

  Local background checks on individuals involved in criminal activity that has occurred in Osceola County only, can be obtained by either coming to the Sheriff's Office Records Section at the 2601 East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway complex and paying a $5.00 fee for each name or by mailing the request with the $5.00 fee for each name and a self addressed stamped envelope. The mailing address for the Sheriff's Office is: Osceola County Sheriff's Office, Records Section, 2601 East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, Florida 34744. Complete criminal histories can be obtained by contacting the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at (850) 410-8109 or by logging onto their web site at www.fdle.state.fl.us. However, before requesting a search, you will need the subject's first name, last name, middle initial, race, sex, date of birth and possibly a social security number.

• 1.05) How can I evict someone from my property?

  It is always best to contact an attorney prior to initiating an eviction. However, the Osceola County Clerk of the Courts office offers an eviction package at a cost of $2.00 per package. You may contact the Clerk of the Courts office at (407) 742-3500.

• 1.06) How can I find out the status of my case?

  Cases are assigned for active criminal investigation based on a wide variety of determining factors. However, you can find out the status of your case by calling the Criminal Investigations Division at (407) 348-1150.

• 1.07) What type of crime prevention programs does the Sheriff's Office offer?

  The Osceola County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Unit offers a wide variety of crime prevention programs on such topics as personal safety, homeland security, confidential residential and commercial security surveys, Neighborhood Watch and identity theft among many other topics. Sheriff's Office personnel are also available to speak on a wide array of criminal justice subjects. If you are interested in finding out more about the programs offered by the Sheriff's Office, telephone the Crime Prevention Unit at (407) 348-1190.

• 1.08) What do I do if I have information regarding terrorist activity?

  Like all other law enforcement agencies throughout the nation, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office takes homeland security very seriously. Major advancements in the war on terrorism have been accomplished as a result of piecing together thousands of bits of information received by various agencies and from citizens all over the world. If you believe you have some information that may be of assistance in the fight against terrorism, contact the Sheriff's Office at (407) 348-2222. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

• 1.09) How do I find an Inmate in the Osceola County Jail?

  Osceola County Jail is part of the Osceola County Corrections Department.  They maintain a separate website as well as a listing of all County Inmates.  Click Here to search the Online Inmate Database.  

  If you prefer to contact the jail directly, call 407-348-1180.

• 1.10) Where can I get fingerprinted?

  Public fingerprinting is conducted at the main Sheriff's Office complex located at 2601 East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, Florida on Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 am - 11:00 am and 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Fingerprinting services are also offered at the Sheriff's Office Poinciana sub-station located at 4547 Pleasant Hill Road, Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 11:00am and 2:00 pm -4:00 pm. The cost for the services is $10.00 for Osceola County residents and $25.00 for non-residents.

• 1.11) What is the cost of the type of civil process I am requesting?

  Click on the menu item labeled FEES for a complete listing of fees for services offered by the Sheriff's Office.

• 1.12) How can I obtain a copy of an arrest report or incident report?

  Copies of arrest and incident reports, that are subject to public record, can be obtained by either coming to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office Records Section located at 2601 East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, Florida 34744 or by mailing in a request with a self addressed stamped envelope. The cost for duplications are $1.00 per certified page or 15 cents for a non-certified page. Victims are not charged for the cost of copying an initial report. Faxed requests for copies of a report are not accepted. It is not necessary but very helpful, if you can provide the incident case number that was provided to you by the responding deputy.

• 1.13) I want to start a Neighborhood Watch in my neighborhood...What can I do to start it?

  The first step towards creating this program is to contact your neighbors and get them interested in attending a one (1) hour meeting.  You can hold the meeting in someone's home, a library or Community Service Center in your District.  Once you have selected the location, a time and date, contact the Osceola County Sheriff's Crime Prevention Unit at 407-348-1190 and ask a Crime Prevention Officer to attend and explain the program and distribute handout material pertaining to Crime Prevention.

  At this meeting, a person to chair the Community Watch can be selected and that person would then locate volunteer Block Captains to assist with distributing material.  A map of the community would be beneficial when selecting Captains as one Captain should have about 10-12 residents in their block. 

  For further information contact the Community Services Section at 407-348-1190.

2.00 - Reporting a Crime or Problem

• 2.01) Can I make a report over the telephone?

  It is preferred that a Deputy Sheriff respond to all individuals located within the unincorporated areas of Osceola County who are requesting to report a criminal incident. However, visitors who have discovered an incident after leaving the area may contact the Sheriff's Office at (407) 348-1153 Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. Sheriff's Office personnel will evaluate your information and, if specific criteria is met, will allow you to fax a written summary of the incident. The Sheriff's Office will then use the faxed information to generate an official report.

• 2.02) Do I have to give my name when I make a report about a crime?

  No. However, the information can be very useful if a follow-up investigation becomes necessary.

• 2.03) How can I file a complaint against an Osceola County Sheriff's Office employee?

  You can telephone the Sheriff's Office non-emergency number at (407) 348-2222 and ask for the Chief Operator on duty. If the supervisor is in the office then you will speak directly to the supervisor in charge, however, if the supervisor is out on the road working, a message will be taken and the supervisor will be notified of the message.  You will then receive a call back from the supervisor when they return to the office.   

  If you do not know the employee's name, the Chief Operator may be able to determine the employee's name based on a basic description and the time and location the employee was working during the alleged incident. Whether the complaint is anonymous or not, all complaints are followed up by appropriate Sheriff's Office personnel.

• 2.04) How can I report a crime tip?

  The Sheriff's Office receives crime tips on various criminal activities on a routine basis. Simply telephone the non-emergency number at (407) 348-2222. If you would like to leave an anonymous tip on drug activities simply leave a message on the SNAG Unit Drug Tip Hotline by calling (407) 348-1174. However, if you are pursuing a reward for the tip, telephone Crime Line at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).

• 2.05) I am getting harassing type phone calls. What can I do to get it stopped?

  First, report the calls to your telephone company and ask if they can investigate and trace the calls. If you know who the caller is and wish to prosecute, telephone the Sheriff's Office non-emergency number at (407) 348-2222.

• 2.06) What can I do about speeders in my neighborhood?

  The Sheriff's Office is very interested in any traffic enforcement problems that you may be experiencing. Suggestions for enhanced enforcement in specific areas are prioritized based on a number of factors. Telephone the Osceola County Sheriff's Office Special Operations Section at (407) 348-1150 to make us aware of any suggestions or concerns you may have pertaining to traffic enforcement.

• 2.07) Why do 9-1-1 operators ask so many questions?

  The dispatcher you speak with on the telephone has been trained to obtain as much information as possible concerning the incident you are reporting. In many cases, the smallest bits of information can become critical in regards to officer safety and suspect apprehension. No call is perceived as being routine, thereby reducing the likelyhood of injury or harm to the responding deputy.