Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
1.3 Organization: Unity of Command and Span of Control
1.3.3 Command Protocol (Issued: 6/25/07)
A. In the absence of a pre -established command protocol, when members of different units
are engaged in a single operation, the following command protocol shall determine who
is in charge (where the following are at the scene): the Chief of Police; the command
officer of the primary unit; any other command officer; the supervisor of the primary
unit; any other supervisor; member o f the highest rank.
B. When patrol and investigations personnel are at the same scene simultaneously, the patrol
unit shall be in charge, except in the case of a major crime scene or search, where
investigations shall be in command.
C. Nothing in this se ction shall overrule common sense. For example, a non -sworn
supervisor at a field operation would not be in command even in the absence of other
supervisory personnel.