Policy Text
an ~xnc&co Police DepiuhDent 5.08
-' GENERAL ORDER Rev. 05/15/96
NON-UNIFORMED OFmCERS .
This order establishes policies regarding the use of non-uniformed officers in traffic
and crowd control situations, and the requirements for identification.
A. DF9INITION. A mn-uniformed officer is any officer who is not wearing the
prescribed S.F.P.D. unifonn.
B. ARRESIS/IDENTIFICATION. Before making an arrest, detaining a suspect,
conducting a search, serving or executing a warrant, .or issuing a citation,
non-uniformed officers shall display their police star or other official
identification. When requested, non-uniformed officers shall promptly and
politely provide their name, star number and assignment.
C TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT (also see DGO 9.01, Traffic. Enforcement).
1. TRAFFIC STOPS/QTATIONS. Non-uniformed officers shall not initiate traffic
stops, issue traffic citations or make minor traffic arrests except:
a. When the activity is related to an ongoing criminal investigation or
regulated vehicle enforcement, e.g., taxi cabs, shuttle buses, limousines.
b. When witnessing an aggravated situation requiring immediate action
to.protect life or property, e.g., drunk driving.
2 BACKUP UNIT. When making a traffic stop under the circumstances
described above (except for regulated vehicle enforcement) non-
uniformed officers shall immediately request a marked backup unit
D. CROWD CONTROL Nan-uniformed officers shall not be used to make
arrests in crowd control situations unless there is reasonable cause to believe
there is a danger to life or the possibility of great bodily injury (see DGO 8.10,
Guidelines for First Amendment Activities and SFPD Crowd Control
Manual).