Policy Text
San Francisco Police Department 8.04
GENERAL ORDER Rev. 02/ 14/24
Eff. 03/28/24
Page 1 of 3
Critical Incident Response Team
8.04.01 PURPOSE
The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is an extension of the B ehavioral Science Unit
(BSU). The purpose of CIRT is to ensure adequate BSU response coverage for a variety of
incidents. This order establishes policies and procedures for supporting department members
who are involved in shootings, collisions , and other critical traumatic events.
8.04.02 POLICY
A. NOTIFICATION
As soon as practicable, t he Critical Incident Response Team shall be notified under the
circumstances included below . Upon notification, CIRT will evaluate the situation and
determine how to best facilitate support. It is the responsibility of the incident commander to
ensure that this notification is made.
1. Officer i nvolved s hooting
2. In-custody death
3. Use of f orce where suspect is admitted to the hospital
4. Injury to or death of a police officer
5. Vehicle c ollisions involving serious injury, death, or children
6. Serious Injury or death of an infant or child
7. Occupational exposures to bodily f luids
8. Prisoner/ custody e scape
9. Discharge of a f irearm
Any member or supervisor is encouraged to contact CIRT any time they believe a response might be warranted even if it does not fall within the above listed categories. Nothing in this
General Order shall preclude any member or supervisor from contacting the C ritical Incident
Response Team.
B. MANDATORY
RESPONSE
1. Upon receiving notification that one of the following covered incidents has occurred, it is
mandated that CIRT shall respond:
a. Officer i nvolved s hooting
b. In-custody death
c. Use of f orce directly causing injury requiring admission to the hospital or a
supervisor determines the use of force appears unreasonable and resulted in serious bodily injury.
DGO 8.04
Rev. 02/ 14/24
Eff. 03/28/24
Page 2 of 3
2. Incidents requiring a mandatory CIRT response shall include a directed referral to the
Behavioral Science Unit .
C. DEBRIEFING
If a CIRT debrief is deemed appropriate, t he on- call team member s will coordinate with the
Behavioral Science Unit to schedule a debrief within 72 hours of the incident or as soon as
practical . The following debriefs shall involve a licensed, BSU vetted clinician: OIS, serious
injury or death of a police officer, and in custody deaths .
D. CONFIDENTIALITY
1. Critical Incident Response Team members shall follow the guidelines established in
DGO 11.04, PEER Support Program, Sections I., D., which establishes confidentiality
when engaged in peer support communication.
2. Confidentiality is also provided by California State Assembly Bill 1117: Pursuant to California Government Code Section 8669.4(a) "A law enforcement personnel, whether or not a party to an action, has a right to refuse to disclose, and to prevent another from disclosing, a confidential communication between the law enforcement personnel and a
peer support team member made while the peer support team member was providing peer
support services, or a confidential communication made to a crisis hotline or crisi s
referral service."
8.04.03 PROCEDURES
A. NOTIFICATION - The on call Critical Incident Response Team leads can be notified
through the Department Operations Center at any time .
B. CIRT TRAINING - The OIC of the BSU will develop an annual training and meeting plan
for CIRT.
C. CIRT SELF -DEPLOYMENT - For incident types listed in Section 8.04.02 of this policy,
CIRT members shall check in with BSU before deploying. Self -deployment without
approval in these circumstances is prohibited.
CIRT m embers may self -deploy in all other circumstances.
D. Critical Incident Response Team members should be aware that the confidentiality provisions of California Government Code Section 8669.4(a) are limited by subdivision (b) of Section 8669.
DGO 8.04
Rev. 02/14/24
Eff. 03/28/24
Page 3 of 3
References
DGO 5.01 Use of Force
DGO 6.0 4 Assaults on Police Officers
DGO 6.05 Death Cases
DGO 8.01 Critical Incident Evaluation & Notification
DGO 11.04 Peer Support Program
DGO 11.13 Directed and Recommended Referrals to the SFPD Behavioral Science Unit