Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
1 5.2 Criminal Investigations: Operations
5.2.18 Interview Room (Revised: 8/20/19 )
The UCSF Police Department has an interview room, commonly used in the investigative
process, at Mission Center Building (MCB), Room 145. In order to ensure the protection of
Police personnel and the safety of the arrestee, witness or victim, established g uidelines for the
use of the interview room are necessary. The intent of this policy is to ensure that the interview
room is utilized in the safest and most professional manner possible. Uniformed and non -
uniformed personnel will use the designated intervi ew room for all interrogations and for any
interviews that might likely turn into an interrogation.
The interview room is equipped with handcuff retraints for securing arrestees. The handcuff
restraints are connected to the interview table and a stainles s steel bench, which are bolted to the
floor. Arrestees restrained in the interview room will not be left unattended while restrained.
A. The interview room shall be located in a secured area.
B. If utilized by an outside police agency, a sworn member must be present and in close
proximity.
C. The responsibility for the safety and security of persons brought into the interview room
remains with the original officer, unless a detective or supervisor relieves the officer.
D. To provide proper security, all arrestees/prisoners, shall be searched prior to being
brought into the interview room.
E. The officer/detective shall notify the ECC that they will be conducting an interview with
their specific location.
E. Only one arrestee/prisoner at a time will be in the interview room.
F. All arrestees/prisoners will be handcuffed prior to entry of the interview room. Handcuffs
may be removed at the discretion of the officer/detective conducting the interview.
Officers/detective shall adhere to Sect ion I prior to removing the handcuffs.
G. While an officer is conducting an interview or interrogation, a second officer shall be
present either in the room or in close proximity to assist. If the interviewing
officer/detective needs assistance, he/she s hall verbally and/or physically summon the
officer. Other means of requesting for assistance can also be utilized (e.g., portable radio
or cellular telephone).
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
2 H. The interview room is not a holding cell. If an arrestee or prisoner (adult or juvenile) is
left alone in an interview room, there must be constant visual monitoring of him/her at all
times by a sworn officer. An officer must also be in close proximity to the room and be
readily available to provide assistance, should he/she be summoned.
I. Except in interviews conducted at the San Francisco County Jail or another law
enforcement facility, it will be the sole discretion of the officer/detective and, in certain
cases, a Division Manager or supervisor, to determine whether or not the officer/detec tive
maintains his/her authorized weapon on his/her person while in the interview room with a
victim and/or witness. In instances where interviews are conducted with an
arrestee/prisoner whose handcuffs will be removed (e.g., signing written documentation) ,
an officer/detective shall secure their firearm prior to removing the handcuffs from the
arrestee/prisoner. Should the officer/detective elect to remove his/her weapon, it shall be
properly secured in a locked storage container (e.g., gun locker, locked desk drawer,
officer’s locker, armory room).
J. Items in the interview room should be limited to a table and enough chairs to
accommodate the individuals in the room. Any other items brought into the room shall be
at the discretion of the officer/detectiv e conducting the interview.
K. The number of people present while conducting an interview/interrogation should be kept
to a minimum. Typically, this should be no more than two officers/detectives and the
person being interviewed. Special circumstances ma y require a parent, a guardian or legal
representative to be present. Ultimately, it will be up to the primary officer/detective, on a
case-by-case basis, to make the decision as to who may be present.
L. All individuals are afforded an opportunity to a ddress their personal needs during an
interview. Breaks will be conducted at reasonable time intervals. All individuals being
interviewed who wish to utilize the facilities (restrooms, water, etc.) shall be escorted by
an officer/detective at all times wit hin any secured areas of the Police Department and/or
building.
M. Prior to usage of the interview room, officers/detectives shall search the room for
weapons and/or contraband that may pose a threat not only to police personnel but also to
the suspect.
N. Once the interview has been completed, the officer/detective will again search the room
prior to exiting.
O. Any individual secured by restraints to a fixed object in the interview room shall not be
left unattended.
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
3 P. All interviews conducted in the interview room at MCB shall be recorded using the
installed audio/video system.