Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 523.02
Page 1 of 5
523.02
PRISONER SECURITY
05-15-2025
PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for the security, movement, and confinement of
prisoners at a law enforcement facility, court, or hospital.
POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Sacramento Police Department (SPD) that officers use appropriate
techniques when searching, moving, restraining, interviewing, or transporting prisoners.
PROCEDURE
A.DEFINITIONS
1.ATTENDING OFFICER – Any SPD officer who accepts or is assigned custody of a prisoner for any
length of time.
2.MEDICAL PERSONNEL – An emergency medical technician, paramedic, or person with medical
training employed at a medical facility.
3.MONITORING OFFICER – Any SPD officer assigned to visually monitor and actively listen to an
interview in an interview or holding room.
4.NON-SECURE CUSTODY – Temporary custody of a minor within a law enforcement facility in an
area that is not a locked room and the minor’s freedom of movement is controlled by officers.
5.PATIENT SAFETY OFFICER – An SPD officer assigned to focus on nothing other than monitoring
the subject’s breathing and consciousness during and after restraint.
6.PRISONER – Any person detained or in the custody of the SPD pursuant to a criminal statute or
criminal arrest.
7.SAFETY CHECK – Direct, visual observation of a prisoner’s welfare.
8.SECURE DETENTION – Temporary custody of a minor within a law enforcement facility in a locked
room or physically securing a juvenile to a stationary object.
B.GENERAL
1.SPD officers shall:
a.Always treat prisoners in a fair and humane manner.
b.Only utilize force in accordance with General Order 580.02 (Use of Force).
c.Follow the guidelines of:
(1)General Order 522.02 (Medical Treatment) to obtain medical care for prisoners.
(2)Reference Manual 523.02 (Search and Handcuff Manual) when handcuffing, shackling,
searching, and moving prisoners.
d.Immediately request emergency medical assistance upon a prisoner’s request or if they have any
doubt concerning a prisoner’s medical condition.
e.Ensure any prisoner displaying outward signs of medical distress, under suspicion of having
ingested any substance that could result in a medical emergency, be transported by medical
personnel to a hospital for treatment.
(1)A Patient Safety Officer shall be assigned to monitor the prisoner until the arrival of medical
personnel when officer safety and personnel needs permit.
f.When encountering a prisoner who is unable to walk without assistance due to medical distress,
intoxication caused by alcohol or drugs, or experiencing a mental health emergency, officers shall:
(1)Immediately request the response of medical personnel.
(2)Coordinate with medical personnel to transport the prisoner to a hospital for treatment.
(3)Not transport the prisoner to the Sacramento County Main Jail (SCMJ), Rio Consumes
Correctional Center (RCCC), or the Youth Detention Facility (YDF) until the prisoner is able to
walk or move without assistance.
(4)Not drag or carry any prisoner, unless to move to immediate medical care.
g.Notify their supervisor as soon as possible if a prisoner is transported to a hospital.
2.When booking a person at jail or other secure facility, officers shall not drag or carry a person who is
unable to walk on their own due to a medical emergency, medical condition, significant level of
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 523.02
Page 2 of 5
intoxication or experiencing a mental health emergency, unless alternative methods of transportation
are unavailable, and it is necessary to get the person to immediate medical care. Alternative methods
of transportation may include the use of a wheelchair, gurney or other chair or device provided by the
jail or facility staff.
a.Absent exigent circumstances, officers should use a wheelchair or prisoner transport chair (if
available) to move or escort prisoners who are:
(1)Able but refuse to walk.
(2)Unable to walk due to a known, preexisting injury or disability (e.g., missing limb, spinal cord
injury, etc.).
b.Violent prisoners shall not be transported to a police facility and shall be taken directly to the SCMJ,
RCCC, YDF, or a medical or mental health treatment facility if necessary due to intoxication or a
medical condition.
C.PRISONER PLACEMENT
1.Prisoners that are not transported directly to the SCMJ, RCCC, YDF, or released in the field, shall be
taken to one of the following locations:
a.Public Safety Center (Hall of Justice [HOJ])
(1)Entry shall be made through the south entrance located adjacent to the gated vehicle loading
zone.
(2)Arrestees shall be escorted to the first floor via the marked adult or juvenile entrance for
temporary confinement in an interview or holding room.
b.Richards Police Facility (300 Richards Blvd.)
(1)Entry shall be made through the west entrance door.
(2)Arrestees shall be escorted to the second floor via the freight elevator for temporary
confinement in an interview or holding room.
c.Joseph E. Rooney Police Facility (JERPF)
(1)Entry shall be made through the southeast door for temporary confinement in an interview or
holding room.
d.William J. Kinney Police Facility (WJKPF)
(1)Entry shall be made through the northeast door for temporary confinement in an interview or
holding room.
e.A