Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Department of Environmental Protection

Law Enforcement

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For assistance, call 850-245-2010 or visit https://floridadep.gov/dle

What is the purpose of the program?

The Division of Law Enforcement is responsible for enforcing environmental laws and responding to incidents where environmental impacts are reported or discovered. Division staff respond to incidents involving petroleum spills caused by vehicle accidents to chemical plant explosions to coastal oil spills. The division also works with local public safety officials and emergency response contractors to minimize threats to the environment.

How is the division structured?

The division is made up of the Environmental Crimes Unit and the Office of Emergency Response.

  • The Environmental Crimes Unit performs inspections and enforces environmental laws to ensure compliance.
  • The Office of Emergency Response works with the Environmental Crimes Unit and provides technical and on-site assistance to address threats to the environment and human safety quickly and effectively.

What activities does the program perform?

The Environmental Crimes Unit consists of special agents, lieutenants, and a captain, which are divided in offices across the state of Florida. Law enforcement investigators in the Division of Law Enforcement assess damage to Florida's natural resources and provide documentation for recovery efforts. When the responsible party does not take appropriate action to remediate pollutants or hazardous materials, The Environmental Crimes Unit assists in mitigation, enforcement, and assessment in the prosecution of certain environmental crimes.

The Office of Emergency Response provides systematic oversight for environmental response and preparedness, including organizational readiness. The office's professional field responders handle incidents involving oil and hazardous substances, including biomedical wastes that present an imminent hazard, or threat of hazard, to the health, welfare, and safety of the public environment.

The Environmental Response Team is a Department of Environmental Protection founded team whose members are from different state and county organizations around Florida. The response team provides technical assistance as well as investigative and forensic sampling support at an event in which an environmental pollution incident or public health threat. At present, members have been drawn from the following agencies.

  • Florida Department of Environmental Protection
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
  • Florida Department of Health
  • Florida Department of Financial Services, Fire and Arson
  • Florida Department of Law Enforcement, RDSTF Forensics
  • CSX Corporation
  • Florida Highway Patrol
  • Local law enforcement

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2023-24
Fund Dollars Positions
PROGRAM: LAW ENFORCEMENT
FISH, WILDLIFE AND BOATING LAW ENFORCEMENT
204,595,981
1,072.00
TOTAL
204,595,981
1,072.00

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
The Department of Environmental Protection's Office of the Inspector General reports are available on its website

Websites of Interest
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Enforcement Program
U.S. Department of Justice, Environmental Crimes Section


Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Section 20.255, and Chs. 161, 258, 373, 376, 377, 378, and 403, Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?

Division of Law Enforcement, 850-245-2010
Website

Emergency Response Offices

  • Fort Myers, 239-344-5600
  • Jacksonville, 904-256-1700
  • Orlando, 407-897-4100
  • Pensacola, 850-595-8300
  • Tallahassee, 850-245-2010
  • Tampa, 813-470-5954
  • West Palm Beach, 561-681-6767