Policy Text
Universi ty of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
1 8.2 Communications: Operations
8.2.2 Radio and Telephone Policies (Revised: 5/29/25 )
A. Radio Policy
Members of the Police Department will use the police radio system for the sole purpose
of communicating police -related messages, in compliance with FCC regulations. The
following channels are used in communications at UCSF Police Department: Channel
One ‒ main communication channel, Channel Two ‒ tactical/talk around channel and
Channel s Three and Four – Campus and Health security chan nels.
1. Members will strive to keep all radio transmissions professional, clear,
concise and complete.
2. Members shall not misuse or disrupt the radio system by transmitting lengthy,
personal or unauthorized messages.
3. Members shall not transmit Social Security numbers via the radio system.
4. Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) shall not be transmitted by radio,
except in cases where the circumstances reasonably indicate that the immediate
safety of the officer or the public are at significant risk. Nothing in this procedure
is intended to prohibit broadcasting warrant information concerning wanted
persons.
B. Radio Communications
1. Dispatchers shall dispatch radio calls in the following manner:
a. Non-Emergency Calls
Dispatch will call the unit number to alert officers of the forthcoming
dispatch and then wait for a response. Units will answer by stating their
unit number. Once the unit replies, the dispatcher will state the location
and nature of the call.
b. Offic er-Initiated Activity
Field personnel will alert the dispatcher of the forthcoming radio traffic by
using radio call number and radio code and location , wait for a response
and then give the nature of activity .. If the activity is a vehicle stop,
personnel will provide the license plate number of the vehicle being
stopped.
2. When field units are called by a dispatcher over the radio, they shall promptly
reply to him/her using established procedure and providing their location . If an
officer does not respon d after several attempts, the Watch Commander is to be
notified. Proper radio procedure and communication with Dispatch is essential for
officer safety.
a. On-duty field officers will be responsible for maintaining contact with the
dispatcher at all times and advising Dispatch of status and location
changes. Dispatchers are responsible for knowing locations and status of
field officers.
Universi ty of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
2 b. Patrol officers are required to carry a portable radio with them at all times
while on duty and maintain communications with the dispatcher while
away from the patrol car, unless otherwise approved by a Watch
Commander.
c. Vehicle Registration Requests : Officers will inform the dispatcher of the
registration request, wait for the dispatcher to respond, and then give the
license number using the phonetic alphabet.
d. Records Management System Checks : Officers will alert the dispatcher of
the needed file check, wait for the dispatcher to reply, then advise the
dispatcher of the appropriate information needed to complete the c heck.
e. Wants and Warrant Checks (10 -29): Officers will alert the dispatcher of
the wants or warrants check and the means by which the check will be
made ( e.g., driver’s license number, name and date of birth), wait for the
dispatcher to reply and then re lay the information. If the officer has not
done so, he/she should give his/her location. Social Security numbers shall
not be broadcast.
f. Driver’s License Checks : Officers will inform the dispatcher of the
driver’s license check and give the means by wh ich the check will be
made ( e.g., driver’s license number, name), wait for a response and then
relay the information.
C. Radio Codes, Holding Calls and Tactical Channel
1. Radio Codes
Radio codes shall be used by members of the Police Department when conveying
messages over the radio. A list of all radio codes shall be provided to all staff
upon hire.
2. Holding Calls
a. Emergency calls will be dispatched immediately. If an officer is not
available to handle the call, the patrol supervisor shall be not ified
immediately.
b. Non-emergency calls necessitating a direct response will be dispatched
immediately using the current call assignment procedure. If the dispatcher
cannot locate a unit to handle the call immediately, the Watch Commander
shall be notifi ed.
c. Non-emergency calls not requiring a direct response will be dispatched
when a unit is available. Code 1 calls can be held for the next available
unit depending on the type of call, as outlined in General Order 4.6.11,
“Response to Calls for Service. ”
d. If a delay in police arrival is anticipated when the call is received, the
complainant shall be given an estimated time of arrival. If the call cannot
be handled in that time frame, the complainant will be re -contacted by the
dispatcher and informed of the additional delay. The following order of
response shall be used by dispatchers when determining call assignment:
Universi ty of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
3 (1) Beat officer
(2) Any available beat officer
(3) Shift Sergeant and/or Watch Commander
(4) Detective (on -duty)
(5) Patrol Lieutenant (on-duty)
** The Watch Commander shall be notified when there are multiple calls holding
or there is a need for mutual aid. **
3. Public safety dispatchers will assign service calls to the shift currently in service
until one hour prior to the end of the shift, at which time the on -coming shift will
be given calls -for-service responsibility (exclusive of “