Policy Text
San Francisco Police Department
L.. GENERAL ORDER 7.02
Rev. 08/04/04
PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF JUVENILES
This order presents guidelines for arrangement of emergency psychological assessment of
persons under the age of eighteen, including coordination, emergency medical treatment
and filing of criminal charges.
I. INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES
A. PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS. Occasionally, officers may come into
contact with a juvenile who appears to be in acute psychological distress. In
addition to many other symptoms, this distress may be characterized by severe
depression, suicidal behavior, or threats of violence constituting a danger to the
juvenile or to others.
B. COMPREHENSIVE CHILD CRISIS SERVICE (CCCS). CCCS is a program
of the City and County of San Francisco/ San Francisco Department of Public
Health1 Community Behavioral Health Service. It is the City and County of
San Francisco's designated agency responsible for psychiatric evaluation of
persons under 18 years who may require urgent psychiatric services. CCCS is
a 24-hour mobile response unit that has a response time of approximately 30
minutes. The telephone number for CCCS is (415) 970-3800. To obtain an
emergency evaluation, call CCCS and request services.
C. PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY SERVICES (PES). PES is a holding facility
for adults at San Francisco General Hospital, 1001 Potrero Ave, San Francisco,
CA. (415) 206-8 125. Ifjuveniles need to be assessed in a secure setting,
CCCS will determine if the juvenile should go to PES. If CCCS determines
that an evaluation should occur at PES, a CCCS team will meet the juvenile
and responsible adult at PES. If an adult does not accompany the juvenile to
PES, the officer will be required to stay throughout the evaluation. Do not
transfer a juvenile to PES without first consulting with CCCS.
11. POLICY
A. It is the policy of the San Francisco Police Department that officers respond in
a helpful manner to juveniles whom they believe to be in acute psychological
distress. Pursuant to section 5585.50 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, an
officer may take a minor for psychiatric evaluation when the minor, as a result
of mental disorder, is a danger to others, is a danger to himselfierself, or is
gravely disabled, and authorization for voluntary treatment is not available.
These are the same criteria that apply to adults under section 5 150 W & I
Code.
DGO 7.02
08/04/04
Members are required to provide a Miranda Advisement only in instances
described in the Welfare and Institution Code 9 625(c).
111. PROCEDURES.
A. CCCS ASSESSMENT WITHOUT PENDING CRIMINAL CHARGES.
When requesting an assessment, follow these procedures:
1. NOTIFICATION. Notify CCCS. CCCS will consult with you and decide
where an assessment team will meet with you to conduct the evaluation.
2. SUPERVISION. If a responsible adult (parent, legal guardian, or school
staff) does not accompany the juvenile, the officer shall remain until the
evaluation is complete.
B. CCCS ASSESSMENT WITH PENDING CRIMINAL CHARGES.
When requesting an assessment of a juvenile in custody for a criminal offense,
follow these procedures:
CITATION PROCEDURES. When it is appropriate to issue a criminal
citation (see DGO 5.06, Citation Release), telephone CCCS and arrange to -/-
have an assessment team meet with you to conduct an evaluation. Members
must remain with the juvenile during the evaluation. If the juvenile is not
placed on a hold per 5 150 W & I, the officer, prior to citing the juvenile,
shall contact the authorized receiving facility during their operating hours.
A probation officer from the authorized receiving facility, after consulting
with the member, will determine whether the arrested juvenile should be
brought to hisher facility.
2. BOOKING PROCEDURE. When booking is required, follow these
procedures:
a. Prior to transporting a juvenile, contact CCCS as soon as practical and
arrange to have the assessment team meet with you. A member of the
assessment team will consult with you and determine where the
evaluation should take place. (CCCS may join the officer(s) in the field
and evaluate the juvenile at home, school, CCCS office, PES or other
locations appropriate for the situation.)
b. Stay with the juvenile. If the assessment team decides not to request a
psychiatric evaluation (5 150 W& I), the arresting officers, prior to
DGO 7.02
08/04/04
booking the juvenile, shall contact the authorized receiving facility
during its operating hours. A probation officer from the authorized
receiving facility, after consulting with the member, will determine
whether the arresting juvenile should be brought to hisher location.
c. If the assessment team decides to psychiatrically hospitalize the juvenile
for psychiatric evaluation. CCCS staff will make arrangements to secure
an inpatient psychiatric bed and transportation to that bed.
d. Put a "police hold" on the juvenile by filling out the lower portion of
"Application for 72-hour Detention for Evaluation and Treatment,"
under the section labeled "Notification to be provide to Law
Enforcement Agency." Notify the staff that you will book the juvenile
into Youth Guidance Center in absentia. Leave the juvenile in CCCS
custody, complete the admissions form and deliver it to the Youth
Guidance Center.
C. NOTIFICATION AND TELEPHONE