Policy Text
San Francisco Police Department 1.08
General Order Rev. 02/10/2021
Page 1 of 12
Community Policing
1.08.01
VISION AND VALUES
The Department commits to a safe, healthy, and vibrant community. Our spirit and work is
guided by a *guardian mindset philosophy and we recognize that our role as protectors is rooted
in empathy, understanding, and mutual respect. We partner and engage with community
members and organizations to collaboratively identify and problem -solve local challenges and
increase safety for residents, merchants, visitors, and officers. All members of the Department
shall embody the following values in all their work, which encompasses the tenets of procedural justice consisting of: voice, neutrality, respectful treatment, trustworthiness, and 21
st Cent ury
Policing.
*Guardian - defender, protector, or keeper - one who advocates for another. Community members are more
willing to cooperate with officers they already know and trust. If Officers view themselves as guardians and
have built relationships in the community, they will naturally be more respectful and considerate, promoting safety with respect.
Respect
• We respect the cultures and histories of the neighborhoods and communities
we work in.
• We treat all people equally and with dignity, without regard to actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, socioeconomic status, or any other trait.
Partnership
• We proactively nurture relationships with and empower all San Francisco community member s to take an active role in public safety and find solutions
to local issues.
Honesty and Transparency
• We develop and maintain honest and transparent communication with the communities we serve.
Responsibility and Accountability
• We have the courage to take responsibility for our actions and be held accountable by ourselves and others.
DGO 1.08
Rev. 02/10/2021
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1.08.02
DEFINITIONS
Community Policing is a mindset through which officers build collaborative, transparent,
trusting relationships with the communities they serve through partnerships and problem solving.
It is built upon the philosophy of embodying a guardian mindset, where officers feel like and are
seen as a part of the community, rather than separate from it.
Community Engagement reflects a community policing mindset through actions in which
Department members seek to build trust and relationships with community members, such as through positive one -on-one interactions while on patrol, Department sponsored programs, or
participation in community events and discussions. Community engagement upholds the language and spirit of the Department’s community policing Vision and Values statement.
Problem Oriented Policing and Problem Solving is a community policing strategy that
seeks to identify and address the underlying conditions that contribute to public safety
problems in our communities. Problem Solving involves a systematic “long view” approach to solving and/ or significantly reducing community problems. Typically, a
problem is defined by two or more related and ongoing crimes, community concerns, or disorder that the police are expected to handle. Department members are encouraged to utilize formalized problem solving methods in partn ership with the community in an
effort to identify and solve problems. Department Manual 2 (Community Policing) provides the structure and process for the application of Problem Solving for community problems.
1.08.03
COMMUNITY POLICING STRATEGIC PLAN
The Department, in collaboration with the community, has identified goals and objectives in the
development of a Community Policing Strategic Plan. As members of the Department, we embrace the below goals to build a strong relationship with all people in a ll communities in
which we serve.
All members shall ensure their work in community policing, community engagement and
problem solving support the following goals and objectives:
Goal 1: Communication
Honest, transparent, and empathetic dialogue between the Department and the San
Francisco community.
DGO 1.08
Rev. 02/10/2021
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a. Create a diverse set of communication channels between the Department and the
community where we share and receive information and feedback across a range of communication channels.
b. Respond to requests for servi ce and information in a timely and transparent manner.
c. Solicit conversation, input, and collaboration from a culturally diverse demographic.
d. Transparently communicate, publicize, and educate the community about Department goals and policies.
Goal 2: Educat ion
The Department both trains and is trained by the communities it serves.
a. Teach the community to empower them to improve community safety.
b. Invite community members who possess neighborhood- specific expertise to present
at Department trainings.
Goal 3: P roblem Solving
Increase safety through collaborative working partnerships between the Department, community members, and organizations to identify and address local topics of concern.
a. The Department shall provide members with resources and guidance to connect
individuals with external resources, and m embers should provide information
regarding those resources when a call for service is outside their scope.
b. Collaboratively identify and develop responses to local issues and concerns with
individuals, comm unity -based organizations, and city services.
c. Utilize a formalized problem- solving model across all district stations which is
structured to address the root causes of important community challenges. (Refer to Community Policing and Problem Solving Manual - DM2)
Goal 4: Relationship -Building
Strong, trusting, and respectful relationships between the Department and all facets of San Francisco community.
a. Increase visible officer presence and proactive, positive engagement with individuals and businesses outsi de of calls for service.
b. Provide bias free , dignified,