DGO5.14 "Interagency Operations"

The purpose of this order is to establish policies regarding planned and ongoing interagency operations. It is not intended to restrict a member of the San Francisco Police Department from appropriately assisting a member of another law enforcement or government agency in a spontaneous situation. Instead, this order is established to ensure that command personnel are aware of interagency operations, and that members receive prior approval before participating in them.

I. DEFINITIONS

1. Interagency Operation(s): Any planned or ongoing operation or investigation involving the San Francisco Police Department and an outside agency.
2. Outside Agency: Any local, state or federal law enforcement or government agency, e.g., FBI, DEA, State Parole, ABC, ATF.

II. POLICY

1. GENERAL. It is the policy of the San Francisco Police Department that all interagency operations involving members of the San Francisco Police Department shall receive prior approval of the member's deputy chief.
2. REQUESTS BY AN OUTSIDE AGENCY. When the assistance of the San Francisco Police Department is requested by an outside agency for any planned operation or investigation, the member receiving the request shall refer the agency to his/her deputy chief. No member shaIl participate in an operation or investigation unless it has been approved by the appropriate deputy chief.
3. REQUESTS BY THE SAN FRANCISCO POLICE DEPARTMENT. Any member of the San Francisco Police Department needing assistance from an outside agency for a planned operation or investigation shall first obtain the permission of his/her deputy chief prior to making the request.
4. BRIEFING/MEETING. Interagency operations or investigations shaIl be the subject of a briefing or meeting between the Department and the outside agency to discuss law enforcement issues unique to San Francisco, e.g, operational objectives, roles of ,agencies, and community concerns. It shall be the responsibility of the Deputy Chief (or his/her designee) conducting this meeting or briefing to ensure that outside agents are aware of applicable Department General Orders before the operation commences.
5. OPERATIONS. During the operation, it shall be the responsibility of the senior ranking officer to make every effort to ensure that no violations of Department General Orders are committed by the outside agents. Should any violation occur, it shall be the responsibility of the senior ranking officer to inform the person committing the violation that such action violates San Francisco Police Department General Orders.