Policy Text
Roll Call Training Bulletin
Produced by: Captain Brent Kaneyuki, Office of Specialized Services Katherine Lester , Chief of Police
Prepared by: Officer Mark Kimble, PSU Volume 24-11
Unlawful Camping Enforcement Guidelines
12-31-2024
This Roll Call Training Bulletin (RCTB) provides updated guidelines for Sacramento Police Department (SPD)
employees to follow when responding to violations of Sacramento City Code (SCC) § 12.52.030 (Unlawful
Camping Ordinance). While the city’s Incident Management Team (IMT) will continue to be the lead entity for
unlawful camping response, SPD will continue to respond to reports of unlawful camping violations when required. Officers should still attempt to offer shelter or alternative housing before taking enforcement action
and document such efforts.
I. General
A. Unlawful camping is defined in SCC § 12.52.030.
B. Officers should take enforcement action when a violation of the unlawful camping ordinance exists on a
call for service. With supervisory approval, officers may elect to not take enforcement action if there are compelling circumstances (i.e., the person has medical issues, inclement weather).
C. The unlawful camping ordinance will not be enforced between the hours of 2200 to 0600 on public property unless it involves an urgent encampment and with sergeant’s approval.
D. An urgent encampment includes the following:
1. A non- vehicle encampment that is in a roadway.
2. On the property of a private residence.
3. Impedes immediate access to a public safety facility including a fire department, police department, hospital, or jail.
4. In the path of impending fires or floods.
E. District sergeants generally should not cancel calls regarding unlawful camping violations.
F. Officers responding to a call regarding an unlawful camping violation shall utilize their department -
issued cell phone to enter a call for service (CFS) on the City of Sacramento 311 App or by calling 311 prior to closing out the call.
1. The 311 entry is important so that all homeless encampments are tracked in a central repository, to
prevent duplicate efforts by patrol and IMT, and to accurately track the number of homeless
encampments in the city.
G. A new dispatch call type code (camp) has been created for use for calls for service that are solely
regarding urgent encampments and will be a priority 4 call.
H. Officers responding to calls on private property can still enforce trespass violations of Penal Code § 602 or 9.16.140 SCC at all hours of the day.
II. Public Property Response Procedures:
A. SPD Dispatch: 1. Will refer calls on public property that are solely regarding unlawful camping to 311 unless the call
involves an urgent encampment .
2. When a call is received regarding an urgent encampment on public property, a call shall be created, and officers dispatched.
3. SPD Dispatch will prioritize and dispatch calls, according in accordance with General Order
510.04 (Dispatching Sequence of Assignment).
B. SPD Officers:
1. When responding to a call for service involving unlawful camping on public property, during the
hours of 0600 -2200, officers shall:
a. Properly resolve the call for service and complete all necessary documentation.
Roll Call Training Bulletin
Produced by: Captain Brent Kaneyuki, Office of Specialized Services Katherine Lester , Chief of Police
Prepared by: Officer Mark Kimble , PSU Volume 24-11
b. In accordance with General Order 523.03 (Misdemeanor and Infraction Offenses) officers may
make a custodial arrest when they are able to properly safeguard the individual’s property. If the
amount of property needed to be safeguarded is outside of an officer’s capability to manage it, a sergeant shall be notified to determine the appropriate course of action.
2. SPD officers should not engage in enforcement of the unlawful camping ordinance on public
property between 2200 and 0600 hours unless it involves an urgent encampment. Sergeant
approval will be required to enforce the unlawful camping ordinance during these hours.
III. Private Property Response Procedures:
A. SPD Dispatch:
1. When a call is received for an individual trespassing on private property, and the trespassing
involves an urgent encampment, officers shall be dispatched to resolve the urgent issue.
2. When a call is received for an individual trespassing on private property, and the call does not
involve an urgent encampment, the following protocols shall be followed:
a. If an owner or designated agent is available, requesting to have the individuals removed, and
willing to sign a notice of trespass or there is one on file, officers will be dispatched to
encampments .
(1) A designated agent is any person or organization (e.g., private security company) expressly authorized by the owner of the private property or business premises to issue a notice of trespass on the owner’s behalf.
b. If there is any question of property ownership, the incident shall automatically be referred to the IMT via 311.
B. SPD Officers: 1. When responding to a call for service on private property, and unlawful camping is an element of
the call, officers should:
a. Properly resolve the call for service and complete all necessary documentation.
b. Determine whether to cite for unlawful camping violations or trespass violations.
(1) Generally, the unlawful camping ordinance will not be enforced on private property, and
officers will enforce trespass violations.
(2) If an urgent encampment needs to be mitigated, and the elements needed to enforce a trespassing violation have not been met, the unlawful camping ordinance may be enforced.
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