Policy Text
San Francisco Police Department 8.08
GENERAL ORDER Rev. 11/24/14
Eff. 01/07/15
BOMB THREATS, CLANDESTINE LABORATORIES,
DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES, EXPLOSIONS , AND FIR EWORKS
This order establishes policies and outlines procedures for officers to follow when
confronted with bomb threats, clandestine laboratories, destructive devices, exp losions or
fireworks .
I. DEFINITION S
CERTIFIED BOM B TECHNICIAN. A sworn member of the Explosive Ordnance
Disposal (EOD) Unit who has been trained and certified by the Federal Department of
Justice as an expert in the subject of destructive devices.
DES TRUCTIVE DEVICE. A destructive device is any device defined in California
Penal Code Section 16460 which includes any bomb, explosive, military ordnance,
incendiary device , CO 2 device, ammunition over 0.60 caliber , or any tracer
ammunition .
BARREL BOMB. Any illegally manufactured destructive device contain ing a
homemade explosive mixture, typically encased in a cardboard tube sealed at each end
and detonated by lighting an attached fuse. Barrel bombs are produced in a variety of
sizes and colors.
FIREW ORK. As defined in California Health and Safety Code , Section 12511, a
firework is any device containing chemical elements and chemical compounds capable
of burning independently of oxygen and producing audible, visual, mechanical or
thermal effects.
FIRECRACKER. As defined in the California Code of Regulations, Chapter 6, Article
2, Section 980(f)(1), a firecracker is a device containing explosive pyrotechnic
composition i n an amount not to exceed 50 milligrams (.772 grains) in total
pyrotechnic weight , in a fused container whose primary function is to produce an
audible effect. All firecrackers are classified as dangerous fireworks per California
Health and Safety Code, Sectio n 12505(1)(b). A ny pyrotechnic device s similar in
construction to a firecrac ker which exceed the spec ified weight shall be designated
explosives in accordance with California Health and Safety Code, Section 12000.
EXEMPT FIREWORKS. As defined in California Health and Safety Code, Section
12508, exempt fireworks means any special item containing pyrotechnic compositions
which the State Fire Marshal, with the advice of the State Fire Advisory Board, has
investigated and determined to be limited to industrial, commercial, agricultural use, or
religious ceremonies when authorized by a permit granted by the authority having
jurisdiction.
DGO 8.08
Rev. 11/24/14
Eff. 01/07/15
2
PUBLIC DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS. As per San Francisco Police Code, Section
1290, no persons, firm, company, corporation or association shall fire or discharge any
fireworks of any kind or description withi n the limits of the City and County of San
Francisco. Provided, however, that public displays of fireworks may be given with the
joint written consent of the Fire Marshal and the Chief of Police.
II. POLICY
A. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL (EOD)
UNIT
1. RESPONSE . The EOD Unit shall respond to the scene of a suspected ,
undetonated , destructive device ; any explosion ; the discovery of any clandestine
laboratory ; the discovery of any barrel bomb regardless of size or amount ; or the
seizure of any consumer firewor ks in excess of five pounds .
2. RENDERING SAFE . The rendering safe of all suspected destructive devices is the
sole responsibility of designated , certified bomb technicians .
3. SEARCH . EOD personnel will provide assistance as requested at the scene;
however, members of patrol are responsible for conducting the initial search of the
location.
B. EOD COMMAND AUTHORITY. The EOD Unit shall be under the authority of the
officer -in-charge at the scene, except during the rendering safe procedure, when
handling a suspected device, or when gathering physical evidence. During these times,
the EOD Unit shall be under the direct command of its on-scene certified bomb
technician s.
C. HANDLING AND STORAGE
1. HANDLING. Only certified bomb technicians or sworn members designated by
the officer -in-charge of the EOD Unit shall touch, tamper with, transport or store
any suspected destructive device, explosive s, military ordnance , any barrel bomb
regardless of size or amount, or consumer firewor ks in excess of five pounds .
However, i f the explosive i s in the form of a limited amount of consumer
firework s, officers shall refer to Section I II. D. FIREWORKS.
2. DISCRETION. Certified bomb technicians shall evaluate, render safe, transport,
dispose and store all suspected destructive devices, explosives , military ordnance ,
any barrel bomb regardless of size or amount , or consumer fireworks in excess of
five pounds . Certified bomb technicians will have full discretion in determining
what procedure is ap propriate for the situation and deciding what methods to use.
3. EVIDENCE. Certified bomb technicians shall collect and preserve all suspected
destructive device evidence , explosives, military ord nance, or any barrel bomb
DGO 8.08
Rev. 11/24/14
Eff. 01/07/15
3 regardless of size or amount . If th e evidence is in the