Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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4.6 Patrol Operations
4.6.1 Preliminary Investigations by Patrol Officers (Revised: 5/5/17)
A. Many times , the most important factor in solving a crime is the information supplied by a
victim or witnesses to the first responding officer. A responding officer will generally
conduct the preliminary investigation of most crimes and will be responsible to call for
any specialist that may be needed.
B. Uniformed officer s normally respond to each crime reported to the Police Department.
The Watch Commander may request that the d etectives respond when a non -uniformed
response is necessary or more appropriate.
C. Preliminary investigations begin when the responding officer arrives at the scene of an
incident, make s contact with the complainant or is on notice that a crime has been or is
being committed. This preliminary investigation continues until there is a postp onement
of the investigation or transfer of responsibility. The preliminary investigation usually
includes some or all of the following:
1. Assessing the need for medic al attention to injured persons
2. Protecting the scene to prevent evidence from being lost or contaminated
3. Determining whether a crime has been committed and , if so, the exact nature of
the offense
4. Determining the identity of the suspect(s) and arresting them when appropriate
5. Prov iding information to the ECC and to other units regarding descriptions,
method and direction of travel and any other relevant information concerning
suspects and/or suspect vehicles
6. Identifying all witnesses
7. Interviewing victims, witnesses and suspec ts to determine in detail the exa ct
circumstances of the offense
8. Collecting of evidence or arranging for the collection of evidence
9. Taking written statements, when possible and appropriate, from vic tim(s),
witnesses and suspects
10. Accurately and co mpletely recording all perti nent information in proper form
11. Any other action that may aid in resolving th e situation, solving the crime or as
directed by a supervisor.
D. All swo rn and civilian members of the D epartment shall properly identify themselves
when responding to requests by members of the public to view official identification. All
members of the Department shall carry an official agency photographic identifica tion
card and present it when asked to d o so by a member of the public for the purposes of
proper identification. All members of the
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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Department shall verbally identify themselves on the telephone when calling me mbers of
the public on official business.
1. The intent of this directive is to ensure the public can identify UCSF police
officers and employees and be certain that the person the y are dealing with is in
fact a police officer or employee. This verification enhances officer s’ ability to
perform their duties, promotes c onfidence in the public and make s officers more
accountable for their actions. Officers working in an undercover capability are
exempt from this requirement.
2. All UCSF PD employees and agency volunteers shall have identification to
permit non -sworn emplo yees and volunteers to travel or perform agenc y duties in
times of emergency .