Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Order
1 8.2 Communications: Operations
8.2.8 Calls for Service (Revised: 1/14/22 )
A. The dispatcher taking the initial call will obtain as much information as possible to assess
if an emergency or non -emergency response is required. Then , based on training,
experience and the following considerations, the dispatcher shall determine whether an
immediate police response is warranted:
1. Immediate threat(s) present
2. Demeanor of the vi ctim or reporting person
3. Request from the victim or reporting person for immediate assistance
4. Previous contact, if any, with the victim or reporting person
5. Information known by the dispatcher about the individuals involved or the
offense.
B. The amount and type of information collected by the dispatcher will depend on the nature
of the call. Calls for service and incidents will be entered into the CAD system. Once a
call for service is entered into the CAD system, a “Call for Service” number is
automatically generated. If an officer is dispatched to the call, then an “Incident”
(control) number is g enerated. Dispatch will inform the caller of the agency’s response to
the incident. Every incident report, when an officer is dispatched , shall include the
following:
1. Date and time of the request
2. Caller’s name and address and contact number, if possi ble
a. If the caller refuses to provide their name or contact information, the
refusal shall be indicated.
3. Location of the incident (nearest physical address)
4. Type of incident
5. Assigned primary and backup officers
6. Time officer(s) dispatched
7. Time officer(s) arrived
8. Time officer(s) clea red and returned to service
9. Final disposition and status of incident.
C. When taking calls for i n-progress crimes or crimes that have just occurred, dispatchers
should use the "six Ws" method , asking who, what, when, where, why and are drugs or
weapons involved . Also, the incident report should include additional information , such
as:
1. Suspect information ( e.g., physical and clothing descriptions, unique
characteristics, method and direction of travel )
2. Weapon or possible weapons type
3. Impairm ent (drug, alcohol, mental)
4. Victim ’s condition ( e.g., medical aid needed , dead body) .
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Order
2
D. Self-initiated activity generated by field personnel and entered into CAD by a Public
Safety Dispatcher should include:
1. Date and time of the sel f-initiated activity
2. Officer’s name and unit identifier
3. Location of the incident (nearest physical address)
4. Type of incident (e.g., walking stop, traffic stop, bicycle stop)
5. Assigned backup officers if any
6. Time officer(s) arrived
7. Time officer(s) cleared and returned to service
8. Final disposition and status of incident.
E. If a complainant reports an incident to the dispatcher which would not normally require
an officer, but the complainant demands an o fficer, the dispatcher will complete a call for
service/incident entry and either dispatch an officer or notify the Watch Commander of
the situation.
F. Dispatchers taking a call alleging criminal activity will, in addition to recording the
information in the CAD system:
1. Dispatch a sworn officer, unless the alleged criminal activity is reported by an
officer as a self -initiated incident
2. Generate a case report in RIMS to be completed by the assigned officer .