Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 51
Page 1 of 1
510.15
COVER UNIT COMMAND
08-21-17
PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for the use of the Cover Unit Command (CU).
POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Sacramento Police Department that the Cover Unit Command only be used
to respond to priority 1 situations (as listed in GO 510.04 Dispatching Sequence of Assignment) and
pre-scheduled game plans that have been approved by sergeants.
PROCEDURE
A. DEFINITION
COVER UNIT COMMAND (CU) – A command available via the Mobile Data Computer (MDC). The
intention of this command is to reduce or eliminate unneeded radio traffic during priority 1 calls and
critical incidents.
B. GENERAL
1. The CU sha ll only be used wh en officers are in 909 status. NOTE: Officer(s) who need to be
pre-empted from a call to use the CU shall contact Dispatch to make that request.
2. To use CU, enter “CU” and the unit identifier of the unit you want to cover into the Command
Line function of the MDC; then press F1.
3. CU automatically dispatches the officer(s) and will show them en route to the other unit’s call.
4. Officers who use CU on a call will be attached to that call with “ASSIST” indicated next to
their unit identifier.
C. RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Officers shall only use CU when they are responding to assist another officer during a priority 1
situation, o r if they are assisting in a pre -sched uled game plan that has been approved by their
supervisor.
2. Sergeants shall
a. Monitor the use of the CU during priority 1 calls and critical incidents.
b. Use the CU to respond to officer (s)’ request for assistance.
c. Address any misuse of the CU that is not within Department policy.