Policy Text
San Francisco Police Department 2.03
GENERAL ORDER Rev. 9/ 6/23
Eff. 10/18/23
Page 1 of 4
Use of Intoxicants or D rugs by Sworn Department Members
2.03.01 P URPOSE
The San Francisco Police Department stands for Safety with Respect for all. It is the San Francisco Police Department’s policy to maintain the highest level of professional conduct and to ensure that members of the San Francisco Police Department are performing their duties, providing services to the public, and enforcing the laws in a fair, impartial, and ethical manner. Police officers hold a position of trust with the public . Therefore, it is essential that officers be in
complete mental and physical control while performing their duties. Being under the influence of drugs and consuming drugs as defined in this policy while on duty will not be tolerated.
This order outlines Department policy and procedures regarding the use of intoxicants, illegal
drugs or narcotics by members, including definitions, testing and investigative procedures. The
San Francisco Police Dep artment strives to achieve a safe and healthy workforce and a
workplace fr ee from the influence of drugs .
2.03.02 DEFINITIONS
A. Drug – illegal drugs, prescription drugs or any other substance which could impair a
member ’s ability to safely and effectively perform the functions of the particular job.
B. Impairment - Consumption of an intoxicant , drug, medicine or other substance that
results in the member’s mental and/or physical state of being altered in a way that may diminish their ability to sa fely and effectively perform the duties of a sworn officer.
C. Influence – Ingestion, use, or presence of drugs in the body system.
D. Member - Any sworn officer of the San Francisco Police Department .
E. On Duty - A member is considered on duty during any scheduled paid work hours
including details to events, conferences, seminars, meetings, training, while on “standby” pay status and during any voluntary or mandatory overtime assignment s.
F. Reasonable Suspicion – A belief based on objective and articulable facts sufficient to
lead a supervisor to suspect that a member is under the influence of drugs or alcohol,
such that the member ’s ability to perform the functions of the job safely and effectively is
impaired or r educed.
1. Examples of situations in which there may be reasonable suspicion include but are not limited to:
a. A pattern of documented abnormal or erratic behavior;
DGO 2.03
Rev. 9/6/23
Eff. 10/18/23
Page 2 of 4
b. The direct observation of drug or alcohol use while on duty; or a report by a
reliable and credible source that a member has engaged in drug or alcohol
use while on duty, the identity of which source shall be available to the
member and the Union, unless the source is a victim who is eligible for
confidentiality. (S ee Gov § 6254).
c. Symptoms of drug or alcohol use (e.g., glassy or bloodshot eyes, alcohol
odor on breath, slurred speech, poor coordination and/or reflexes, etc.); or
d. A work-related incident in conjunction with other facts which together
support reasonable cause.
2.03.0 3 POLICY
A. Members shall not use any drug while on duty as defined in this policy.
B. Members shall not be under the influence of any drug while on duty.
C. Members shall not store or bring into any Department vehicle or facility controlled substances, except in the performance of police duties.
D. Memb ers shall notify a supervisor immediately if they observe behavior or have
reasonable suspicion that any member in the workplace is illegally possessing or using
drugs, under the influence of any drug as defined in this policy, such that the member ’s
ability to perform the functions of the job safely and effectively is impaired or reduced.
E. Any prescription drug that could cause impairment to perform essential job functions shall be reported to Medical Liaison.
2.03.04 PROCEDURES
A. Reporting and Invest igative Responsibilities - The commanding officer of the
member’s unit, or if not immediately available, the senior ranking supervisor on duty at
the time of the report of a member under the influence of an intoxicant or illegal drug use
shall be responsible for directing the preliminary investigation. If the member to be
investigated was detailed or loaned to another unit, the commanding officer, or the
senior-ranking supervisor on duty at that unit shall be responsible for directing the preliminary investigation.
Supervisors shall comply with DGO 2.08 regarding Peace Officers’ Rights in Disciplinary Investigations .
B. Drug Tests – When reasonable suspicion exists that a member is under the influence of
drugs, the member shall immediately submit to test ing when ordered by a supervisor.
C. Investigative D uties and R esponsibilities of the Investigating S upervisor
DGO 2.03
Rev. 9/6/23
Eff. 10/18/23
Page 3 of 4
1. On-Duty M ember - If a member is on duty and is reasonably believed to be
impaired, the investigating officer shall:
a. Immediately relieve the member from duty.
b. Relieve the member of duty firearms.
c. Notify the member’s commanding officer, who shall notify the members
Bureau C hief. Notify the Internal Affairs Division (IAD).
d. Inform the member of their peace officer rights in disciplinary investigations.
e. Order the member to submit to a test to determine the presence of intoxicants or