Policy Text
San Francisco Police Department 9.01
GENERAL ORDER Rev. 09/06/23
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Traffic Enforcement
9.01.01 PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to establish the policy and procedure regarding traffic enforcement,
including moving, licensing, registration, mechanical, and parking violations, of both personal
and commercial vehicles, and the issuance of citations at the scene of traffic crashes.
9.01.02 POLICY
Traffic enforcement is a responsibility of the San Francisco Police Department and is an
important assignment for uniformed personnel. In partnership with the City and County of San
Francisco’s Vision Zero efforts, the goal of the Department’s traffic enforc ement program is to
make San Francisco streets safer for all by reducing traffic crashes. The Department pursues this
shared goal by enforcing traffic laws, facilitating traffic flow, and easing parking congestion.
When actively enforcing traffic laws, me mbers should prioritize enforcing violations that directly
impact public safety consistent with the above shared goal. Members enforcing traffic and
parking laws should use discretion when enforcing violations . In exercising their discretion,
members may use de -escalation techniques or disengage (such as giving a warning) to reduce the
intensity the situation . Members shall not let the attitude, race, gender, disability status, sexual
orientation, or socioeconomic status of a person influence t heir enforcement action.
9.01.03 PROCEDURES
A. Moving Violations
1. Uniformed Members - Moving violations shall be enforced only by uniformed
members , except as provided in DGO 5.08 , Non-Uniformed Officers . Patrol Special
and Assistant Patrol Special officers are not authorized to enforce moving violations
or laws regulating pedestrian traffic.
2. Enforcement - Members should act on moving violations of all applicable laws,
regulations, and policies , while considering the totality of the circumstances, in any of
the following circumstances , except any violations deprioritized in DGO 9.07.04 ,
Restricting the Use of Pretext Stops :
a. After witnessing a moving violation .
b. In response to a complaint or a private person’s arrest for a movin g violation and
in compliance with DGO 5.04 , Arrests by Private Persons .
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c. When probable cause has been established by a qualified member investigating a
traffic crash .
3. Identification and Questioning - When conducting traffic enforcement, members shall
identify themselves by name and rank and inform the person of the reason for the stop
before engaging in any questioning relating to a criminal investigation or traffic
violation , or requesting any docume ntation (see DGO 5.03 , Investigative Detentions ;
DGO 9.07 , Restricting the Use of Pretext Stops ; and California Vehicle Code section
2806.5 ). This requirement does not apply if a member reasonably believes that
withholding the reason for the stop is necess ary to protect life or property from
imminent threat.
B. Mechanical Violations
1. Uniformed Members - Mechanical, licensing , and registration violations shall be
enforced only by uniformed members, ex cept as provided in DGO 5.08 , Non-
Uniformed Officers . Members may, in accordance with Vehicle Code s ection 40001 ,
cite the registered owner or agent of commercial vehicle in absentia for any
mechanical or registration violation, provided the operator of the vehicle is an
employee of the owner (see below).
2. Enforcement - Member s may act on mechanical violations except any violations
deprioritized in DGO 9.07.04 , Restricting the Use of Pretext Stops .
C. Parking Violations
1. Uniformed Members - Parking violations shall be enforced only by uniformed
members or SFMTA Parking Control Officers. Patrol Special and Assistant Patrol
Special Officers are not authorized to enforce parking laws.
2. Enforcement - Parking violations provide members with reasonable suspicion to hold
the vehicle and detain any persons inside. If the vehicle is attended, members may
inform the person regarding the violation and allow the person to make a correct ion.
If members decide to issue a citation for a parking violation, unless there are
independent facts connected to criminal activity, members shall not prolong the
detention for longer than reasonably necessary to write a citation (see DGO 5.03 ,
Investigative Detentions ).
D. Disposition of Traffic Offenses - Rules governing the disposition of traffic offenses
depend on the kind of offense and age of the person. When issuing a citation, members
should answer relevant questions, inform the person of the nature of the violation, and the
proper means of d isposing of the citation.
1. Non-Parking Offenses (also see DGO 5.06, Citation Release )
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a. Adults cited with a “Notice to Appear” for any traffic offense must appear or
submit bail. Certain moving violations require a mandatory appearance and must
be ass igned a specific court date. Members should follow the current Department
policy regarding “Assignment of Court D ates for Non -Traffic and Traffic Adult
Citations .”
b. Youth cited for traffic offen ses shall be referred to the juvenile court for a court
date and disposition. When members issue a traffic citation to a youth, check “To
be notified by Juvenile Court” and have the youth sign the citation. For youth
infraction violations of the