Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
FUNERAL PROCEDURES
MANUAL
RM 230.07
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
REFERENCE MANU AL
REVISED : 06-09
06-14-09
FUNERAL PROCEDURES MANUAL
TO: ALL PERSONNE L
It shall be the polic y of the Sacrament o Police Department to addres s the funer al arrangement s for
deceased officers, empl oyees, or City officials in the most resp ectful and sympatheti c manner
consist ent with the wish es and needs of the famil y.
The Departmen t shall consi der honoring the off-duty/retired officer or employee, and designate d City
officials who pass away as a final tribute for their service to the City and communit y.
The Chie f of Polic e shall , in honor of any of these persons , order the lowerin g of the flag at all police
facilitie s for a specifie d lengt h of time.
The polic e ceremonial farewel l is a commitmen t of our respec t for one who has made the ultimate
sacrifice ; it is a publi c announcement of our grief.
Becaus e the ceremony is a publi c displa y of our respec t for the decease d emp loyee, it is imperative
that it be marke d by the adherenc e of protocol , by precisio n in timing and execution, and by the sense
of order that appropr iately mark s the “POLIC E FUNERAL”.
SACRAME NTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
REFERENCE MANUAL
FUNERAL PROCEDURES MANUAL
1 OF 8
A. FUNERAL
1. The extent to whic h the Department participates in the funera l servic e shall depend upon
the following:
a. Employmen t status
b. Manner of death
c. Expressed wishe s of the deceased
d. Expressed wishe s of the famil y of the deceased
e. Directio n of the Chie f of Polic e (COP).
2. The funeral may range from a ceremonial military-type funeral to an informal "paying of
respect " by forme r co-workers and acquaint ances.
3. The procedur es as written , while they are to be complie d with, are flexible and may be
alter ed to fit a particula r situation. The location, type of service, and wishes of the family
will influenc e the ceremony .
4. Memoria l services may be incorpo rated into any part of this procedur e deemed
appr opriate by the Capt ain, Personnel Service s Divisio n (PSD ).
B. GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR DEATHS IN THE LINE OF DUTY
1. A full forma l law enforcement funeral , in concur renc e with the expressed wishe s of the
deceased and/or the family of the deceased, shall be cond ucted if the deat h is in the line
of duty of a Sacr amento Polic e Officer. On these occasions ALL officer s and uniformed
civilia n employees who atten d shall be in uniform . (An exception shall be mad e for
officer s working in an underc over assignment.)
2. If the employee was an officer killed in the line of duty, contact the CHP Academ y Special
Projec ts Program for the Special Protocol – Deat h of a Peac e Officer Certificat e and flag.
C. SPD PERSONNEL DUTIES FOR DEATH IN THE LINE OF DUTY FUNERAL
A Funeral Operati ons Comman d Staff shall be appointed by the COP. Thes e appointment s shall
be mad e in sufficien t time befor e the funeral to allow for planning and coordination and shall be
identified as:
1. Capt ain, PSD
The Capt ain, PSD , shall be responsibl e for the entire Funer al Operation . Other members
of the Funeral Operation s Comman d Staff shall assist the Captain, PSD , in planning,
directing, and carrying out the funer al service . The Capt ain, PSD , shall assig n the
personnel required to accomplis h the funeral arrangement s as follows.
2. Polic e Chaplain
The Polic e Chaplai n may conduc t the funer al service s (wake, rosar y, memo rial servic e,
funeral service, commit tal service, etc.) if desired by the family, and may assist in their
spiritua l and emotional needs.
3. Family Cont act
The person (or persons ) assigned by the Capt ain, PSD , shall, with the family ’s approval,
remai n with the famil y at all times. They shall provide securit y, transpor tation, and liaison
between the Capt ain, PSD , or designee, and the famil y. They shall conduc t a follow -up
contact with the family three (3) days after the funeral . A traine d Peer Suppor t member
shoul d be considered for this assignment.
4. Divisio n Cont act
The person (or persons ) assigned by the Capt ain, PSD , shoul d be the Office