Policy Text
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Department Written Directives
3.01.01 PURPOSE
This General Order describes the different types of written directives mandated b y the San
Francisco Pol ice Department (Department) . It establishes a development process for the
creation, evaluation, approval, and maintenance of written directives within the Department
and delineates responsibilities for the written direc tives process. The D epartm ent’s Written
Directives Unit (WDU) shall be responsible for facilitating and publishing written directives
covered in this general order.
3.01.0 2 POLICY
Policies provide a guide to m embers and ensure consistency with the vision, mission , and goals
of the Departmen t. It is the Department’s policy to provide the highest level of service to all
community members. The Department shall issue written directives that encompass best
practices and ensure the rights of individuals as defined in the United States C onstitution ,
federal, state, and local laws .
3.01.03 DEFINITIONS & TERMS
WRITTEN DIRECTIVE DESC RIPTION
3.01.04
DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
(“DGO ”) • The Department’s most authoritative and
permanent directives .
• A guiding policy used to set the direction of the organiz ation that is consistent with leg al requirements
and the overall objectives of the City and County.
• Include definitions and procedural outlines relevant to, and enforceable upon, the entire Department.
• Per SF Charter Section 4.102 these polic ies are set
and adopted by the Police Commission at a public
hearing .
• Reviewed and u pdated as necessary; every one (1),
three (3), or five (5) years depending on a tiered
system of priority.
3.01.05
MANUALS • A document that details protocols and procedures of
the Depar tment’s daily operat ions.
• Pertain to the entire Department unless narrower
applicability is specifically noted in the body of the Manual.
• Shall comply with related Police Commission -San Francisco Police Department 3.01
GENERAL ORDER Rev. 7/13/22
DGO 3 .01
Rev. 7/ 13/22
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adopted DG Os.
• Updated no later than every five (5) years.
3.01.06
DEPAR TMENT
NOTICES (“DN”) • Department -wide announcements regarding
administrative matters, legal updates, or policy or
operational changes that are immediately effective.
However, D Ns that are within the scope of
representation are effective upon the completion o f
the meet -and-confer process.
• If a DN pertains to a DGO, the DGO shall be updated with the contents of the DN during the
designated DGO revision timelines.
• DN’s shall not be used to amend, substantively
change, or contra dict DGOs.
• There shall be a desi gnated expiration date not to
exceed three (3) years.
3.01.07
BUREAU ORDERS • Directives that apply to operations within specific
bureaus issued by the Deputy C hief of the bureau
affected .
• Updates determined by the Deputy Chief, no
longer than e very five (5 ) years.
3.01.08
UNIT ORDER S • Directives that apply to specific unit operations
issued by the Commanding Officer or Officer -in-
Charge of the unit.
• Unit protocol s and procedures that ensure
consistency in practice and advancement of
organizatio nal goals.
• Updates determined by Officer -in-Charge, no longer
than every five (5) years.
3.01.0 9
DEPARTMENT
FORMS • Department Forms standardize the communication of
information relevant to Department operations.
• Forms may be for internal or external use.
• Updated as needed.
3.01.10
MEMORANDA OF
UNDERSTANDI NG • Formal agreements between two or more parties that
outline purpose of agreement, terms, details, and responsibilities of each party.
• May involve the Department and other City agencies or external part ies.
• Expirat ion date listed within each MOU.
A. General Order Review List - This document provides an annual plan for the regular
review of Department General Orders (DGOs) . The list is proposed by the Chief of
Police and approved by the Police Commission P resident. Deviations from the list may
be necessary to respond to California Department of Justice re commendations,
community concerns , and public safety priorities. The list requires approval of the
Police Commission President .
DGO 3.01
Rev. 7/ 13/22
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The DGO revision process will be compl eted routinely in accordance with a tiered system .
General Orders will be designated as follows:
• “Tier 1” are high priority shall be reviewed annually and update d as
necessary .
• “Tier 2” are m edium priority shall be reviewed every three (3) yea rs and
update d as necessary.
• “Tier 3” are lowest priority and shall be reviewed every (5) years and updated
as necessary.
B. Recommendation Grid - A spreadsheet that tracks the review process and work of the
team tasked to update a specific DGO . At a minimu m, the spreads heet should list
suggested edits and include fields for detailing each edit, date received, Departmental
responses and explanations , and whether the edit has bee n addressed or is the subject