Policy Text
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF POLICE
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: All Personnel DATE: 03 Oct 14
SUBJECT: Revision ofDGO 0-1, PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS (30 Apr 01)
The purpose of the revision to DGO 0-1 is to update policy and procedure consistent with law
enforcement best practices and changes to applicable law. Additionally, procedures have
been implemented regarding the guarding, processing and pick-up of subjects arrested in
conjunction with a psychiatric detention.
The COP memo (09 Decl3) regarding the pick-up and transportation of prisoners from John
George Psychiatric Pavilion has been incorporated in to the DGO and is hereby cancelled.
The Evaluation Coordinator for this order shall be the Training Commander. The Evaluation
Coordinator shall receive, review and document the acceptance or rejection of all comments
and/or recommendations received prior to submitting hislher six-month evaluation report.
The Evaluation Coordinator shall forward a copy of the six-month evaluation report, along
with the comments/recommendations received, without further notice, to the Planning and
Research Section.
Personnel shall acknowledge receipt, review, and understanding of this directive in
accordance with the provisions ofDGO A-I, DEPARTMENTAL PUBLICATIONS.
By order of
Sean Whent
Chief of Police Date Signed: _1_·O_t#_~ _ f _"
DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL
ORDER
O-1
Index as:
Persons with Mental Illness Effective Date:
03 Oct 14
Evaluation Coordinator:
Training Commander
Evaluation Due Date:
03 Apr 15
Automatic Revision Cycle:
3 Years
Page 1 of 8
PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
The purpose of this order is to set forth policy and procedures regarding detentions and
arrests of persons with mental illness.
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5008h(l) defines gravely disabled as
a condition in which persons are unable, as a result of mental disorder, to
provide for their basic personal needs for food, clothing or shelter.
B. Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5150, upon probable
cause, members may detain mentally ill persons to a facility designated by
the County and approved by the State Department of Mental Health if such
persons are:
1. A danger to themselves, or
2. A danger to others, or
3. Gravely disabled.
II. ON-SCENE RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Request an ambul ance to transport the person. Ambulance personnel will
determine the most appropriate facility:
1. Adults
a. John George Psychiatric Pavilion (JGP), 2060 Fairmont
Drive, San Leandro, CA ; or
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT O-1 Effective Date:
03 Oct 14
Page 2 of 8
b. Alameda County Hospital, Highland (ACH), 1411 E. 31st
Stree t, Oakland, CA ( if medical treatment i s needed ); or
NOTE: The County is responsible for transferring the subject to the
appropriate psychiatric facility, if necessary, after medical
treatment.
c. Alta Bates – Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley,
CA; or
d. Kaiser (Oakland) – 3801 Howe St., Oakland, CA.
2. Children (Under 12 years of age)
Children’s Hospital, 5275 Claremont Ave., Oakland, CA.
3. Juveniles (12 -17 years of age)
Willow Rock, 2050 Fairmont Drive, San Leandro, CA.
B. Conduct a curs ory search for objects that may be used as a weapon prior to
transport.
C. Assist the ambulance crew, as needed, to place the person in the ambulance
under restraint.
D. Provide a police escort, as needed, to the receiving facility.
E. Permit persons d etained at their residence to collect a few personal items
and make a telephone call and/or leave a note before being transported to
the hospital.
F. Secure the homes of persons who are removed from their residences or
ensure that responsible persons are there to secure the premises. Members
shall describe the security measures taken in the appropriate report.
G. Ask relatives of hospitalized persons, if they are present, to con tact the
hospital directly as soon as possible to provide additional informat ion and
aid in the disposition of the patients.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT O-1 Effective Date:
03 Oct 14
Page 3 of 8
III. TRANSPORT
A. Medical Clearance
1. Mentally ill persons requiring medical clearance shall be transported
by ambulance to a medical facility. The transporting ambulance
personnel determine if the p erson requires medical attention and
have the final decision as to the appropriate facility for medical
clearance.
Such persons include those who are:
a. Physically injured or seriously ill;
b. Suspected of an overdose of medicine, drugs, or toxic
subst ances;
c. Under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
d. Unconscious; and/or
e. Other symptoms as determined by the transporting
ambulance personnel.
2. Mentally ill persons not requiring medical clearance shall be
transported by ambulance to the designat ed psychiatric facility.
B. Transporting Mentally Ill Persons
1. If the person is violent and the ambulance crew requests a police
escort to the receiving facility or a member believes