Policy Text
L- San Francisco Police Department
GENERALORDER 11.06
Rev. 09/14/99
PERSONNEL TRANSFERS
. 2 rJ.) This order establishes policies regarding transfer of sworn personnel, and outlines procedures . . for
requesting or initiating transfers.
I. OBJECTIVES
The Department 'will seek to attain the following objectives in personxiel distribution:
A. Openness, fairness and objectivity in selecting officers for transfer.
B. Maximum advance notice to officers selected for transfer.
C. Increased and impartial opportunities for officers selected for transfer.
D. Broadened in-service training and development of new occupational skills for officers.
i*
11. TRANSFER AUTHORITY
In all cases, the authority for personnel transfers rests with the Chief of Police. The Personnel
Division will process all transfer requests, maintain records of transfer requests, and issue
transfer orders subject to the approval of the Chief of Police.
In. TYPES OF TRANSFERS
A. REQUEST BY OFFICER
B. REQUEST BY COMMANDING OFFICER
C. Bjl ORDER OF THE CHIEF
DGO 11.06
Rev. 0911 4199
IV. REQUEST BY OFFICER
A. EXCEPTIONS. All officers may request transfers with the following exceptions:
1. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Lieutenants, captains and exempt ranks (e.g.,
commanders, deputy chiefs) are commissioned officers and are subject to transfer by
the Chief of Police at any time. Commissioned officers are not eligible to submit
transfer requests.
2. PROMOTIONS/PROBATIONARY OFFICERS. An officer who is promoted to
another rank will have hisher previous transfer requests voided, and unless directed by
the Chief of Police, the officer will be transferred fiom his her current assignment.
Probationary officers (regardless of rank) must complete their probationary period
before submitting transfer requests.
3. EXEMPT POSITIONS. Units reporting directly to the Chief and Assistant Chief are
exempt from the transfer policy. Assignment to the Special Investigations Division and
the Vice, Narcotics, Backgrounds, Air Support, Marine Unit and the Medical Liaison
Units are also exempt.'
-4 B. PERSONNEL DISTRIBUTION REPORT. Once a year the Department will publish and
distribute a Personnel Distribution Report. The report will show the number of personnel-
by rank and Department senion$ currently assigned to each unit within the Department.
The report will also list the number of currently budgeted vacancies for each unit.
' Officers interested in these positions are encouraged to apply to the Chief of Police on memorandum (SFPD 68)
directed through the chain of command.
As used in this section, "Department Seniority" shall be based on the date of hire,i.e., the date the member was
appointed as a sworn ofiicer.
DGO 11.06
Rev. 09/14/99
C. TRANSFER REQUESTS. Transfers made at the request of officers (i.e., officers,
inspectors and sergeants) will be made according to the following provisions:
1. NUMBER OF REQUESTS . .:-
a. When completing a Transfer Request (SFPD 23~j;'patrol officers and sergeants
may make up to four (4) selections for transfer within the Field Operations, Airport
and/or Administration Bureaus combined.
b. Inspectors, when completing a Transfer Request (SFPD 23A) may make up to four
(4) selections for transfer within the Investigations Bureau.
c. Members holding both the rank of InspectorISergeant may make up to (3) three
selections for transfer to the Investigations Bureau (SFPD 23A) and a total of three
(3) selections either to the Airport, Field Operations and/or Administration Bureau.
2. ACTIVE REQUESTS. Currently, transfer requests remain active until the member is
promoted to another rank or until the request is withdrawn by the member.
D. TRANSFER SENIORITY LIST. Each year the Department will publish and distribute a
Transfer Seniority List showing oficers who are requesting transfer into each unit.
E. SELECTION PROCESS. Officers will be selected for transfer based on the seniority of
their request, i.e., the oficer with the oldest request on file for the unit will be selected
first. The following is an exception:
1. TACTICAL UNIT. In addition to the criteria stated above, applicants requesting
transfer into the Tactical Unit must successfully complete the Tactical Entry Test and
participate in an interview process.3 Officers will be selected for transfer into the
Tactical Unit based solely on the results of these tests and interviews.
--
-- All applicants will be tested. Information regarding the Tactical Entry Test and interview process will be provided
to applicants at least 2 months prior to testing.
DGO 1 1.06
Rev. 09/14/99
F. WAIVING TRANSFER. An officer declining a transfer to a unit that helshe has
requested will be removed fiom future transfer consideration to that particular unit. No
waivers will be accepted; however, ofiicers declining a transfer because they are
physically unable to perform the duties of the position due to pregnancy, or a temporary
illness or injury, will not be dropped fiom future transfer consideration.
Exception: Members on the Tactical, EOD, Canine and Solo Motorcycle list as of March
1 ,I 999 will be allowed one waiver.
G. TRADE. Officers in the Tactical, EOD, Canine and Solo Motorcycle units will be allowed
to make a one-for-one trade between FOB and .the Airport Bureau, provided all qualifjing
and training requirements are met for the respective units