Bureau of Investigative Services
800-342-5869
Brooksville, Florida
800-342-5869
White Springs, Florida
800-342-5869
Tallahassee, Florida
Bureau Mission:
The mission of the Bureau of Investigative Services is to provide a safe and secure environment for the citizens of this state by:
- Protecting consumers against unfair and deceptive trade practices;
- Protecting the states diverse agricultural industry from theft and other related crimes;
- Preserving and safeguarding the wholesomeness of food and other consumer products; and
- Protecting the state’s natural resources.
To safeguard the public, the Bureau aggressively investigates criminal complaints seeking appropriate judicial intervention to resolve the complaint and prevent future acts of wrong doing.
Bureau Responsibilities:
The Bureau of Investigative Services (BIS) is one of three designated bureaus in the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, responsible for the initiation and investigation of matters over which the Department has jurisdiction and on property owned, managed or controlled by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The Bureau responsibilities include the enforcement of criminal and civil violations occurring within State Forests or any crimes involving agriculture such as farms or farm equipment, animals, livestock, poultry, and any crimes involving horticulture, aquaculture, or citrus products.
We are an active member in the joint response team comprised of the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection, which is responsible for the investigation of crimes relating to bio-terrorism statewide.
The BIS is also responsible for enforcement of laws governing consumer issues including illegal Telemarketing operations, Sale of Business Opportunities, Solicitations of Contributions, Sellers of Travel, Motor Vehicle Repair Fraud, Health studios, Dance studios, Pawnshops, and Moving & storage companies.
In addition to these duties, we are engaged in a cooperative partnership with all federal, state, and local agencies in all 67 counties, providing investigative support in all matters over which the Department has jurisdiction. The BIS is also actively involved in issues relating to Domestic Security and actively participates in all seven regional Domestic Security Task Forces statewide.
The Bureau continues to conduct threat assessments of regulated entities affiliated with fertilizer, pesticide, food, petroleum production and distribution points, as well as investigating theft, shrinkage and suspicious activities regarding these materials.
Support Services:
Inter-Agency Support: The Bureau provides support services to the Department which include completing all background investigations for all perspective employees of the agency; Intelligence gathering and dissemination of information; Investigative support for major cases originating at any of the 22 Interdiction Stations operated by the Bureau of Uniform Services, including matters relating to Farm and Equipment Theft; Agricultural, Horticultural, and Aquacultural Crimes; Cargo Theft; Trafficking of Narcotics; Money Laundering; Illegal Aliens; Coordinating the 800 mhz radio program;
Departmental Support Services: We also provide services to support other Divisions such as providing 24 hour security services for the Florida State Fair, including video surveillance, armed security, and Personal Protective Services during the two week event; Personal Protective Services, commonly referred to as Dignitary Protection, for the Commissioner and select staff traveling throughout the state; Armed Security services for special events or issues where information suggests hostile or aggressive behavior may occur;
Intra-Agency Support: Investigative Services provides support services to other local, state, and federal agencies upon request, or as needed. Support services in this area include staffing for special events such as the FTAA event in Miami; Investigative and technical support; Support for Personal Protective Services details for Dignitaries visiting the state; issues relating to Domestic Security; active participation in all seven regional Domestic Security Task Forces statewide.
