Policy Text
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF POLICE
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: All Personnel DATE: 28 Feb 14
SUBJECT: Revision of Departmental General Order K-10,
UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS (Rev. 01 Oct 11 )
The purpose of th e revision to this order is to update D epartmental policy and procedures for
Undercover Operations.
The following is a summary of the substantive changes and shall not take the place of the
required review and understanding of the entire policy:
1) Part I, B, 1 -3 added (Definitions) :
B. Vice/Human Trafficking Operations
1. Vice/Human Trafficking operations are defined as those which are victim
centered or victim driven crimes related to Human Trafficking including
but not limited to prostitution, lewd public sex acts, massage technicians
and massage parlor activities.
2. Gambling, card rooms, alcoholic beverage and cabaret related activities
are not considered Vice/Human Trafficking operations unless linked to
activity types identified above.
3. Vice/Human Trafficking Operations shall only be conducted by, or under
the supervision of, the Special Victims Section (SVS).
2) Part II, A -C revised (Training):
Prior to being designated to an undercover assignment, officers:
A. Shall successfully complete the Department’s Undercover Officer School for
Narcotics Operations (all operations except Vice/Human Trafficking);
B. Shall successfully complete the Department’s Undercover Officer School for
Vice/Human Trafficking Operations (for any Vice/Human Trafficking operations)
1. After complet ion of the Department’s Undercover School for Vice/Human
Trafficking Operations, officers shall, once a year, attend a four (4) hour
Vice/Human Trafficking legal update course by the SVS.
DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL
ORDER
K-10
Index as:
Undercover Operations
Effective Date:
28 Feb 14
Evaluation Coordinator:
BFO Commander
Evaluation Due Date:
28 Aug 14
Automatic Revisio n Cycle:
3 Years
Page 1 of 6
UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS
The purpose of this order is to set forth the responsibilities of Departmental personnel
when planning and engaging in Undercover (UC) Operations.
Operations involving the use of undercover officers are one of the most dangerous
undertakings for all personnel involved. The safety of all participants is critical and the
responsibility for the successful outcome of these operations rests heavily with the
operation supervisor.
I. DEFINITION S
A. Undercover Operations
Any enforceme nt/investigative action using Departmental personnel who
are wearing civilian clothing , for the purpose of concealing their peace
officer status , and where interaction with a criminal element is anticipated.
These operations include , but are not limited to , buy-bust, reverse buy -bust,
and prostitution enforcement operations. For purposes of this order,
operations conducted by the Internal Affairs Division – Integrity Testing
Unit (IAD -ITU) is exempt from the provisions of this order. The IAD -ITU
is governed by the provisions of IAD Policy and Procedure 07 -01.
NOTE : Officer s operating in civilian clothes where interaction with a
criminal element is not anticipated are not considered to be operating
undercover (e.g., surveillance operations from a covert vehi cle, house or
building .)
B. Vice/Human Trafficking Operations
1. Vice/Human Trafficking operations are defined as those which are
victim centered or victim driven crimes related to Human
Trafficking including but not limited to prostitution, lewd public sex
acts, massage technicians and massage parlor activities.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT K-10 Effective Date
28 Feb 14
Page 2 of 6 2. Gambling, card rooms, alcohol ic beverage and cabaret related
activities are not considered Vice/Human Trafficking operations
unless linked to activity types identified above.
3. Vice/Human Trafficking Operations shall only be conducted by , or
under the supervision of , the Special Victims Section (SVS) .
II. TRAINING
Prior to being designated to an undercover assignment, officer s:
A. Shall s uccessful ly complet e the Department’s Undercover O fficer School
for Narcotics Operations (all operations except Vice/Human Trafficking );
B. Shall s uccessful ly complet e the Department’s Undercover Officer School
for Vice /Human Trafficking Operations (for any Vice /Human Trafficking
operations)
1. After completion of the Department’s Undercover School for
Vice /Human Trafficking Operations, officer s shall , once a year,
attend a four (4) hour Vice/Human Trafficking legal update course
by the SVS.
C. May be so designated (except for Vice/Human Trafficking operations) , on a
case by case basis, when the officer has commensurate experience/training,
and with the approval of the operation supervisor and their first-level
commander in consultation with the identified Subject Matter E xpert (SME)
through the Train ing Section . Such approval and supporting statements
shall be documented in a memo randum prepared by the supervisor of the
operation , and submitted and approved by the first -level commander of the
supervisor.
III. PLANNING
A. An Operations Plan shall b e completed for all undercover operations in
accordance with the provisions of Training Bulletin III -Q, R ISK
ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW & OPERATIONS PLAN, and distributed as
necessary .
B. Acting Sergeants shall not supervise undercover