Policy Text
San Francisco Police Department 11.07
General Order R ev. 05/20/2020
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PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT
AND RETALIATION
This General Order establishes the San Francisco Police Department’s (Department) policy
prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation , and the Department’s commitment to
federal , state , and City equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws prohibiting discrimination,
harassment, and retaliation . All members are responsible for knowing and complying with this
General Order to ensure that each member works in an environment free of discrimination,
harassment, and retaliation. For the purposes of this General Order the term “ member ” refers to
all De partment sworn and civilian members, applicants, unpaid interns, volunteers, or persons
providing services to the City by contract.
This General Order is not intended to limit or restrict any member’s rights under federal, state or
local law, or any ap plicable Memorandum of Understanding.
11.07.01
POLICY
A. FAIRNESS IN THE WORKPLACE. The Department values diversity in its workforce and
is committed to fair and equal treatment of all members in the terms, conditions and
privileges of employment. The Department affirms its ethical and legal obligations to
provide work environment s free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation and treat all
individuals professionally, with courtesy, dignity and respect.
This policy applies at all Departmen t locations, Department -sponsored trainings or events,
and any activities where a member represents the Department.
In accordance with federal, state and local law, the Department prohibits discrimination,
harassment, and retaliation against all individuals , and will not tolerate such conduct. (See
also DGO 5.17)
B. PROTECTED CATEGORIES. The Department prohibits discrimination or harassment
based on actual or perceived membership in the following protected categories:
• Age (40 or older)
• Ancestry
• Color
• National Origin
• Race
• Religion (includes religious dress and grooming practices)
• Disability (physical or mental)
• HIV and AIDS status
DGO 11.07
Rev. 05/20/20
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• Marital Status or Domestic Partner Status
• Medical Condition ( associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics)
• Genetic Information
• Parental Status
• Military and Veteran Status
• Sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, medical conditions relating to
pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding)
• Gender, Gender Identity, or Gender Expression
• Sexual Orientation
• Political Affiliation
• Height
• Weight
The Department also prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any member because
of that member’s association with a person who is, or is perceived to be, a member of any of
the protected categories listed above.
C. RETALIATION. The Department prohibits retaliation against any member who in good
faith made a complaint regarding , or who otherwise opposes , conduct the member reasonably
believes to be discrimination, harassm ent or retaliation, or who has assisted or participated in
any manner in an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or resolution of any such complaint.
11.07.02
DEFINITIONS
A. DISCRIMINATION . Discrimination against any member is prohibited. Discrimination
occurs when a member is subjected to an adverse employment action based on their actual or
perceived membership in one or more of the protected categories listed above. An adverse
employment action or issue complained of may include , but is not limited to, the following:
2. Denial of Reasonable Accommodation
B. HARASSMENT . The Department prohibits harassment of any member. Harassment is
unwelcome , offensive or intimidating conduct that is directed at an individual or group of
individuals because of their actual or perceived membership in one or more of the protected
categories listed above, and that is , or if repeated or allowed to continue might become, 1. Denial of Employment
3. Layoff
4. Compensation
5. Constructive Discharge
6. Denial of Promotion
7. Termination
8. Denial of Training
9. Disciplinary Action
10. Work Assignment
DGO 11.07
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sufficiently severe or pervasive as to alter the condition of the individual’s employment and
create an abusive working environment .
Harassment may take many forms including but not limited to:
1. VERBAL CONDUCT . Verbal conduct includes but is not limited to epithets,
derogatory comments, unwelcome jokes or stories, slurs, deliberate misuse of
appropriate forms of address and pronouns, unwelcome sexual or romantic
advances or invitations, innuendoes, suggestive comments or sounds, requests for
sexual favors, or harassing phone calls .
2. VISUAL CONDUCT . Visual conduct includes but is not limited to derogatory,
offensive or suggestive posters, cartoons, bulletins, drawings, signs, symbols,
photographs, magazines, written articles or stories, notes, poems, letters, screen
savers, e-mail transmissions , text messages, or social media applications .
3. PHYSICAL CONDUCT . Physical conduct includes but is not limited to touching,
patting, pinching, grabbing, staring, leering, lewd or suggestive gestures, brushing
against another’s body, assault, blocking normal movement, or other physical
interference.
4. SEXUAL HARASSMENT. Sexual harassment includes but is