Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 533.07
Page 1 of 1
533.07
KIDNAPPING, KIDNAPPING FOR RANSOM AND EXTORTION
7-21-17
PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to reduce the potential for injury or death to any person(s) involved and
to assist in the apprehension of the responsible culprit(s) in cases of kidnapping, kidnapping for
ransom , and extortion.
POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Sacramento Police Department to make a coordinated effort in the
investigation of kidnapping , as defined in California Penal Code (PC) 209, or extortion, as defined in
PC 518, that occurs in the City of Sacramento.
PROCEDURE
A. GENERAL
1. The watch c ommander shall be notified of all incidents involving kidnapping, kidnapping for
ransom , and extortion.
2. The Communications Division shall not dispatch a marked patrol unit without having received
authorization from the supervi sor in charge of the operation.
3. The responsible supervisor, watch commander , or OOI lieutenant, based upon the ti me that the
event occurs, shall
a. Determine the steps to be taken to protect the hostages and ascertain the number of any
intended victims and th eir locations.
b. Determine the methods to be us ed to alleviate the situation
c. Contact or various o ther Department staff needed to
(1)
(2) Secure the surrounding area.
(3) Affect the release of any hostages.
(4) Make any arrests .
(5) Provide any other necessary assistance.
d. As the investigation develops, other investigators or officers may be assigned at the
direction of the appropriate supervisor(s) to assist the responsible supervisor.
e. From a prosecution standpoint, when a demand for money has been made, it is necessary
that an actual mon ey loss occur ($1.00 or more).
otherwise, the crime will
be prosecuted as an attempted act instead of a completed act.
B. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. In kidnapping situations in which the hostage(s) location has been verified, the watch
commander shall be responsible fo r securing the surrounding area and affecting the release of
the hostage(s) as outlined in General Order 532.08.
2. In kidnapping and kidnapping for ransom crimes in which no verified hostage location has been
determined, the OOI Homicide Unit shall be designated as the primary investigative team.
3. In extortion cases in which kidnapping is not involved, the Neighborhood Crimes Unit shall be
designated as the primary investigative team.