IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE 2018 FACAP INVESTIGATOR OF THE YEAR RECIPIENT

CONGRATULATIONS TO

DETECTIVE JEFF BATZ Detective Batz was nominated and chosen as the FACAP Investigator of the Year due to his actions as a hardworking, efficient, and conscientious law enforcement detective. It is also in part to his attitude towards the profession, unending willingness to respond when needed and tirelessly working to serve his agency, peers and citizens of Florida that Det. Batz consistently demonstrates.

In addition to his duties as a detective, Det. Batz also serves as an evidence custodian and the Accelerant Detection Canine Handler for the South-Central Region of the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations. He covers 13 counties of the South Region, provides back up support to other BFAI Regions and has responded to 168 canine assists since the beginning of 2017. Detective Batz also has been the primary case agent in 24 additional cases obtaining a 40% Arson clearance rate. This is well above the national average of approximately 20%.

Jeff Batz is a Law Enforcement Detective with the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations. Detective Batz is assigned to the Lake Wales Field Office. He has been employed with the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigation for over 10 years. He has been an Accelerant Detection Canine Handler for three years. Prior to his employment with the Bureau, he has worked with the Sebring Police Department and the Florida Department of Corrections. Detective Batz, in total, has served the citizens of Florida for over 20 years.

Pictured from left to right is DIFS Director Simon Blank, Det. Jeff Batz and

BFAI Chief Joe Steadman