Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
1 5.5 Sexual Assault Investigations
5.5.2 Initial Response and Investigation (Revised: 6/13/16 )
The investigating officer, pursuant to PC § 293, shall inform the survivor of a sex offense that
his/her name and address will become matters of public record u nless he/she requests otherwise .
The investigating officer shall make a notation that the survivor was properly informed and
include a statement "in quotes" of the survivor 's decision ; i.e., “the survivor wants or does not
want his/her name or address disc losed pursuant to § 6254 of the Government Code.”
A. An officer who receives information pertaining to a complaint of Title IX sexual
harassment or associated violation shall document the receipt of the report or complaint
in an Incident Report and shall include the method by which, date and time that
notification was made.
B. Sexual assault reports made to the Police Department will be investigated thoroughly, in
compliance with UCSF Police Department and accepted law enforcement practices.
1. Survivors ’ requests for confidentiality of identifying information shall be honored
to the extent required by law (PC § 293).
2. The UCSF Police Department takes a mandatory role as a Title IX reporter to the
institution’s Title IX coordinator and should likewise e nsure that reports of sexual
harassment are properly conveyed through the appropriate institutional channels.
3. Notifications per General Order 4.6.17 Victim/Witness Assistanc4.6.14,
“Notification of Next of Kin of Deceased, Seriously Injured or Seriously Ill
Persons” and/or 4.6.15, “Notification of Proper Authority in Specific and/or
Emergency Situations” shall be made as soon as possible if the survivor and/or
suspect are related to UCSF.
4. The assigned officer is responsible for providing the victim/ witness with a
business card referencing the police case number and a “Marsy Rights” card,
referrals for counseling, emergency housing, temporary restraining orders, safety
information for victim and co -workers and contacts with governmental support
progra ms, such as the District Attorney’s Victim Witness Assistance Program,
Family Violence Project and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
5. Any student, employee, affiliate, patient or visitor who reports being a victim of
sexual assault, dat ing violence, domestic violence and/or stalking, whether the
incident occurred on or off UC property, shall receive a written explanation of
their options and rights, per 34 Code of Federal Regulations 668.46 (b)(11)(i -vii).
The assigned officer is respons ible for providing survivors a copy of UCSF’s
“Rights, Options and Resources for Survivors of Sexual Assault, Dating Violence,
Domestic Violence and Stalking.”
6. In addition to providing directions on how to obtain a copy of the police report,
the Offic er assigned the case will serve as the primary contact for the
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
2 survivor/witness to report additional information regarding their case unless
otherwise assigned by the Watch Commander.
C. Communications Center Section Procedure
1. Initiate a CAD incident.
2. Identify the reporting party by name, telephone number, address and present
location.
3. Attempt to determine if the reporting party is the survivor . If not, identify survivor
by name, present location, telephone number and address and request to speak
with the survivor if possible.
4. Determine:
a. If an ambulance is needed
b. When the crime occurred
c. Where the crime occurred
d. Information on suspect(s):
(1) Name, address , if known, and current location
(2) Description of suspect(s)
(3) Description o f weapon(s) used
(4) Description of vehicle used
(5) Direction of travel and mode of travel.
5. Broadcast sus pect information as appropriate.
6. Advise survivor not to wash, drink, eat, remove clothing, douche, go to the
bathroom or touch any items at the crime scene.
7. Maintain telephone contact with reporting party in emergency situations and
advise that officers are responding.
8. If the survivor requests an officer of the same gender, notification shall be made
to the Watch Commander. Note: While it i s preferable to talk directly with the
survivor , third party information will be accepted.
D. Patrol Section Procedure
Police officer(s) investigate all reports of sexual assault received by the Police
Department. Unless the survivor is unwilling to meet with officers, officers should
respond to the survivor 's location to contact the survivor in person. If the survivor is
unwilling, as much information as possible will be obtained by telephone.
1. Secure the safety of the survivor and determine the immedia te need for medical
treatment.
2. Determine what crime has been committed.
3. Obtain as much initial information as is available for a crime report, crime scene
security, and suspect information.
4. Secure the crime scene and separate all involved parties.
5. Notify the o n-duty Commander.
6. When appropriate, initiate a thorough search for suspect(s).
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
3 7. If it is necessary to keep the survivor at the scene for a lengthy investigation,
describe the function of the UCSF Rape Prevention Education Program. Allow
the survivor to decide if an advocate is wanted.
8. If the assault has occurred within 72 hours, transport the survivor to San Francisco
General Hospital (SFGH), Mission Emergency as soon as possible.
a. If the