Policy Text
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
I-19: ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES
Effective Date: 14 Sep 22
Coordinator: Bureau of Services
Page 1 of 9
The purpose of this policy is to set forth Departmental policy on the use of Department -
issued cellular phones, the use of other Department -issued electronic devices, and the use
of personal cellular phones on duty. This policy includes direction on training and audit procedures.
A. DEPARTMENT -ISSUED CELLULAR PHONES
A - 1. Issuance and Control
All sworn members shall be issued a Department -issued cellular phone (“work
cell phone”) upon appointment to a full -time sworn position. Annuitants and
reserve sworn members may be issued a work cell phone as directed by the Chief of Police or designee.
All professional staff members at the rank of supervisor and above shall be
issued a work cell phone within 90 days of appointment to the Department.
The Chief of Police or designee may authorize the issue of work cell phones to members beyond those described above, including issuance of multiple phones to a single member.
Work cell phones are property of the Department and shall be issued and controll ed by the Department’s Information Technology Unit (ITU), with
management of the device apps and settings by the City’s Department of Information Technology (DIT).
A - 2. Carry Requirements for Sworn Members
All sworn members shall carry their work cell phone whe n they are on duty,
except where this requirement would interfere with their safety or duties (e.g., undercover or plainclothes assignment), where they are precluded from carrying the phone by rule or law (e.g., court appearances), or when permitted or ord ered not to by a supervisor or commander.
Sworn members at the rank of Captain and above shall have their work cell
phone accessible at all times, on and off duty, with the following exceptions:
1. Where this requirement would interfere with their safety or duties (e.g., undercover or plainclothes assignment);
2. Where they are precluded from carrying the phone by rule or law (e.g., court appearances, events specifically precluding the use or carrying of cell phones);
3. When permitted or ordered not to by a higher -ranking member; or
4. While on vacation, compensatory (comp) time, or other leave and there is a substitute or acting commander available in their stead.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER I-19 Effective Date
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT 14 Sep 22
Page 2 of 9 A - 3. Carry Requirements for Professional Staff Members
Professional staff members who are issued one shall carry their work cell phone when they are on duty, except where this requirement would interfere with their safety or duties (e.g., undercover or plainclothes assignment), where they are precluded from carrying the phone by rule or law (e.g., court appearances), or when permitted or ordered not to by a supervisor or
commander.
Professional staff members at the position of manager and above (and those acting in those ranks) shall have their work cell phone accessible at all times, on and off duty, with t he following exceptions:
1. Where this requirement would interfere with their safety or duties (e.g., undercover assignment);
2. Where they are precluded from carrying the phone by rule or law (e.g., court appearances, events specifically precluding the use or c arrying of
cell phones);
3. When permitted or ordered not to by a higher -ranking member; or
4. While on vacation, comp time, or other leave and there is a substitute ,
acting manager , or superior available in their stead.
A - 4. On-Duty Use of Work Cell Phones
Work cell phones are meant to allow members to conduct official department
business. Work cell phones supplement the use of fixed- position office
phones and allow for remote meeting support.
Members are reminded that work cell phones, because of their nexus to job-related activities, are subject to public records requests, subpoenas,
and discovery requests – contents of the devices may be publicly
disclosed .
Members are encouraged not to conduct any personal business on their work phone , and any actions taken using the phone must comply with this policy
and its prohibitions (see section C for specific prohibitions) . Any personal use
of a work cell phone shall be kept to a minimum and be brief. Examples
include, but are not limited to:
1. Calls to notify fa mily members, physicians, etc. regarding an injury on the
job; or
2. Calls to notify family members when required to work overtime without advance notice .
A - 5. International Use of Work Cell Phones
Members who are traveling outside of the United States of America for
official business, and who bring a work cell phone or other work electronic device with mobile data, shall contact the ITU at least one (1) week prior to
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER I-19 Effective Date
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT 14 Sep 22
Page 3 of 9 their departure date so that the device can be moved to an international data plan.
A - 6. Evidence Procedures
Electronic material (e.g., pictures, audio, text messages, electronically generated messages) potentially related to a criminal or internal investigation and recorded on work cell phones shall be handled as evidence.
A - 7. Confidentiality and Reporting of Lost Phones
Department work phones and any confidential material stored therein shall be treated as sensitive material and shall be secured with a lock screen passcode.
Lost or stolen devices shall be reported pursuant to DGO N-05
, with an
information copy to ITU.
B. OTHER