Policy Text
San Francisco Police Department 3.10
GENERAL ORDER Rev. 04/ 02/25
Eff. 06/ 05/25
Page 1 of 6
Serious Incident Review Board
3.10.01 POLICY
Objective, timely, and thorough review of use of force and other serious incidents is a critical priority of the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) . Such incidents may offer valuable
lessons related to procedure, tactics, tools, policy, training, or other aspects. Efficient review of
these incidents will enhance officer safety, procedures, and trainin g. Transparency around the
Serious Incident Review Board ( SIRB) findings will strengthen public trust.
This order outlines the organization and duties of the SIRB and defines the procedures for the
review of use of force cases and other incidents designated for SIRB review.
3.10.02 PURPOSE
The purpose of the SIRB is to review the analysis and conclusions from investigations of designated use of force and critical incidents and to make corresponding r ecommendations to the
Chief of Police. The SIRB will opine upon policy findings, training, tactics, decision- making,
procedures, trends and/or other issues identified by the SIRB .
3.10.03 DEFINITIONS
A. Proximate Cause – The act or event that is the primary or direct ly foreseeable (not remote)
cause of the injury.
B. Training Review - An objective training- based assessment of tactics and force option
decisions, including related identified policy and equipment issues.
3.10.04 THE SERIOUS INCIDENT REVIEW BOARD
A. The Serious Incident Review Board (SIRB) is responsible for direct review of investigative
findings and related recommendations related to incidents including:
1. Use of Deadly Force
2. Use of other than deadly force directly resulting in bodily injur y requiring
hospitalization
3. Use of other than deadly force resulting in serious bodily injury (as defined in Section 243(f)(4) of the California Penal Code), and, upon supervisory evaluation the use of force appears unreasonable
4. In-Custody Death
a. In which a member’s restraint or use of force is proximate to the c ause of death
b. Detention or confinement in a SFPD vehicle
c. Detention or confinement in a jail or detention facility while in the custody of a SFPD membe r
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Rev. 04/ 02/25
Eff. 06/ 05/25
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5. Officer- Involved Discharges
Incidents not listed above may also be designated for SIRB review by the Chief of Police.
The SIRB shall only review incidents that have been closed administratively. The Chief of Police has discretion to designate an incident to the SIRB before criminal proceedings have been concluded.
B. Com position - The SIRB is composed of Voting and Advisory members.
1. Voting Members - The voting members are responsible for the findings and
recommendations for the SIRB. In the event that a voting member is unable to participate, the voting member shall designate a Command Staff member from the
same bureau to participate in their stead. Prior to conducting a vote, the SIRB Chair shall exclude all non -voting members from the room where the vote will be
conducted. T he SIRB voting members are as follows:
a. Deputy Chief —Administration (Chair)
b. Deputy Chief —Field Operations Bureau
c. Deputy Chief —Special Operations Bureau
d. Deputy Chief —Investigations Bureau
e. Deputy Chief —Airport Bureau
2. Advisory Members - The advisory members are non- voting participants for the
SIRB and may actively participate in discussions with the SIRB voting members. The non-voting SIRB advisory members may include, but are not limited to:
a. A Police Commissioner (appointed by the Police Commission President)
b. The Executive Director of Department of Police Accountability or designee
c. Commander of Risk Management
d. Director of Constitutional Policing
e. Captain of Training Division
f. Captain of Risk Management
g. Lieutenant of Field Tactics Force Options Unit
h. Lieutenant of Crisis Intervention Team
i. Lieutenant of Internal Affairs Division
j. Sergeant of Administration Bureau (as SIRB Secretary)
k. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) may be invited by the SIRB Chair. The type of SME may vary based on the incident scheduled for review. These could include, but are not limited to:
i. Medical Examiner
ii. Criminal Investigator
iii. Internal Affairs Division (IAD) Investigator
iv. Rangemaster
v. Emergency Vehicles Operations Course Sergeant or designee
vi. Physical Training/Defensive Tactics Sergeant or designee
vii. Field Tactics Force Options Unit Sergeant or designee
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Eff. 06/ 05/25
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viii. Designees per Department of Police Accountability (DPA) with case
knowledge on the incident in review
C. Procedure
1. Convention - The SIRB will convene on a quarterly basis to review completed
investigations and recommendations unless there are no cases to review. The Chair
may call for additional SIRB conventions, as needed.
2. Materials - Prior to the SIRB convention, the SIRB Chair will ensure that materials
for incident review have been assembled, produced, and distributed to all SIRB members. The materials distributed are intended to inform the members of