Policy Text
San Francisco Police Department 10.11
GENERAL ORDER R ev. 09/03/25
Eff. 11/06/25
Page 1 of 9 B
ody Worn Cameras
10
.11.01 PURPOSE
T
he purpose of this General Order is to establish the policies and procedures governing the San
Francisco Police Department's ("Department's") Body Worn Camera ("BWC") program. BWC is
an effective tool the Department uses to demonstrate its commitment to transparency, to ensure
the accountability of its members, increase the public’s trust in officers, and fairly and objectively adjudicate complaints of misconduct. The Department is also committed to using
BWC because the footage is important in investigations, litigation, and for training purposes.
W
hile recordings obtained from a BWC provide an objective record of the recorded events, it is
understood that video recordings captured by a BWC (or any other recording device) provide a limited perspective and do not necessarily reflect the experience or state of mind of the
individual member wearing the BWC in a given incident.
10
.11.02 DEFINITIONS
A.Buffering Mode – When in the On Position, but not activated. In Buffering Mode, the BWCcaptures video but not audio. The video is not stored in permanent memory until BWCactivation.
B.O
ff Position – When the on/off button of the camera has been pressed to stop Buffering
Mode. When off, the BWC cannot record audio or video.
C.A
ctivate – Triggering the BWC by touch or any other method, which initiates the audio and
video recording functions.
D.D
eactivate – Discontinuing audio and video recording and returning the camera to buffering
mode.
E.I
ncident – Any activity that is in furtherance of a law enforcement goal or investigation.
These include, but are not limited to, traffic stops, pedestrian stops, calls for service, follow-up investigations, interviews, searches, crowd control incidents, protests, and arrests.
F.Mem
ber – A sworn employee of the San Francisco Police Department.
10.11.03 POLICY
D
epartment members assigned a body worn camera (BWC) are required to wear and utilize the
BWC consistent with this policy. Members will, prior to the assignment of and deployment with
DGO 10.11
Rev. 09/ 03/25
Eff. 11/ 06/25
Page 2 of 9
a BWC, be trained on the use of the BWC equipment and this policy.
10.11.04 MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
A. All members shall be issued a BWC. All members are required to wear and use their BWCs while in uniform, except as described below in section E .2.
B. Members shall ensure their assigned BWC properly functions at the beginning of each shift.
C. The BWC shall be secured to the member’s uniform, above the beltline, on the front of the member’s chest, and to the outermost garment (such as an external jacket, an external vest carrier, or exterior armor) to promote the camera’s ability to clearly reco rd video and audio.
1. The BWC may be temporarily moved from the mounted position to facilitate recording in furtherance of a police objective.
2. Exemptions to the positioning of the BWC may only be authorized by a Commander or above.
D. Members assigned to “front desk”, or station keeper duties are required to wear a BWC and are required to activate in accordance with section 10.11.05(B).
E. Members are responsible for the reasonable care and maintenance of the BWC they are issued.
1. When a member discovers their BWC is broken, damaged, lost, or otherwise unavailable
for use, the member shall notify their supervisor.
a. As soon as practical, the supervisor shall issue a replacement BWC, which are available at each station.
b. The member shall submit a memorandum documenting the need for a replacement.
2. Exceptions to wearing a BWC:
a. When in Class “A” or “AA” uniform attending a formal event unless a supervisor otherwise directs
b. When engaged in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) duties
c. When engaged in training conducted within the Training Division
d. When assigned to units whose primary duties are administrative and where they are required to wear a uniform, unless outside in public
3. Non-Uniformed officers’ use of BWC shall be governed by Department General Order
5.08 Non- Uniformed Officers .
DGO 10.11
Rev. 09/ 03/25
Eff. 11/ 06/25
Page 3 of 9
10.11.0 5 ACTIVATION OF BODY WORN CAMERAS
A. Members must ensure the BWC is in the On Position and in Buffering Mode after leaving a
police, detention, or medical facility.
B. Except as described in subsection 10.11.05 C, all members (not just the primary unit) dispatched, present, or otherwise participating in any of the below listed incidents, when applicable, must activate their BWC. Unless exigent circumstances exist, activa tion must
occur when the member is enroute, prior to arriving on scene or immediately before making contact on traffic/pedestrian stops or detention/arrests.
1. A response to any call for service, or activity with a potential to require law enforcement
action
2. During any consensual encounters where the member has reason to believe that a member of the public may have knowledge of criminal activity as a suspect, witness, or victim
3. Making or attempting