Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
5.3 Legal Process: Criminal Process
5.3.7 Arrest without a Warrant (Revised: 1/31/11)
A. Pursuant to PC § 836, UCSF police officers may arrest a person for an offense at any
hour of any day or night or as otherwise prescribed by law.
B. A peace officer may arrest a person for an offense, pursuant to PC § 836, whether or not
such offense was committed within the geographical area of the peace officer’s
employment, and the officer may make such arrest within the state regardless of the
status of the offense.
1. Off-duty enforcement is discouraged. If officers take enforcement action while
off-duty, they will immediately notify the on -duty Watch Commander of the
incident and their involvement in it. In addition, officers shall adhere to al l UCSF
Police Regulations governing off -duty conduct.
2. Officers shall inform the person to be arrested of their authority and the reason for
the arrest.
C. To conduct a warrantless search to effect an arrest absent a Ramey warrant, a peace
officer with exigent circumstances or in “hot pursuit” may conduct a search if:
1. There is probable cause to arrest
2. There is probable cause to believe the suspect is i n the particular premises and
3. There is an urgent need for immediate police action because delay would increase
the risk of harm, escape or the destruction of evidence.
E. An officer making an exigent circumstances/”hot pursuit” arrest must establish th e above
noted criteria, and the arrest must be for a felony or misdemeanor offense. Officers
conducting a warrant -less arrest will only use the minimum amount of force reasonably
necessary, as described in General Order 4.3, “Use of Force.”
F. A peace off icer shall arrest and take a person into custody without a warrant when the
peace officer has probable cause to believe that:
1. An order issued pursuant to PC § 836(c)(1) exists
2. A true copy of the order and proof of service on the person has been filed as
required in Family Code § 6380 and
3. The person to be arrested has violated the terms of that order.