DGO6.04 "Assaults on Police Officers"

6.04.01 PURPOSE

The purpose of this order is to establish policy and procedures when an officer has been assaulted while on-duty in the City and County of San Francisco or any other jurisdiction while in the performance of their official duties.

6.04.02 POLICY

A. Officer's Responsibility

1. The assaulted officer shall notify their supervisor regarding the assault and advise if any injuries were sustained.
2. The assaulted officer shall also notify their supervisor of any reportable use of force (see DGO 5.01, Use of Force Policy and Proper Control of a Person).
3. In the event an assaulted officer is unable to make the above notifications, another officer on-scene shall notify their immediate supervisor.
4. Officers shall render first aid and request an ambulance, if necessary.
5. Officers shall ensure the scene is safe and secure.
6. Officers should attempt to locate witnesses, video, and any other potential evidence (see DGO 6.02, Physical Evidence and Crime Scenes).

B. Supervisor's Responsibility

1. Upon notification, the supervisor shall respond to the scene unless a response is impractical, poses a danger, or where officers' continued presence creates a risk.
2. In the event the assaulted officer is seriously injured or transported to the hospital, the Department Operations Center (DOC) and the Platoon Commander in district of occurrence shall be notified. The Platoon Commander shall notify the District Captain, where applicable, and the member's commanding officer, if different.
3. For assaults resulting in serious injury or transport to the hospital, General Work Detail (weekdays) or Night Investigations Unit (nights and weekends) shall be notified for a response.
4. Notify CSI to process and photograph the scene and take photographs of any injuries. If CSI does not respond, ensure photographs of the scene and the assaulted officer are taken (see DGO 6.02, Physical Evidence and Crime Scenes).
5. Ensure an officer is assigned to prepare an initial incident report. When an officer is seriously injured or taken to the hospital, the assaulted officer shall not prepare the incident report.
6. For serious injuries or hospitalization, notify the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) for employee assistance and peer support (see DGO l 1.04 Peer Support Program and DGO 11.09 Employee Assistance Program I Stress Unit).
7. For serious injuries or hospitalization, the Medical Liaison Unit shall be notified. If after hours, the notification shall .be made through DOC.
8. Complete an industrial injury investigation.
9. Confirm body worn camera (BWC) footage is uploaded and tagged (see DGO l 0.1 l, Body Worn Cameras). 

C. Investigative Responsibility

General Work or Night Investigations shall conduct follow-up investigations and respond, if feasible, anytime an officer is seriously injured or hospitalized as a result of an assault.

If an officer is seriously injured or hospitalized as a result of an assault and there is a serious use of force and/or in custody death ("Covered Incidents"), the incident will be investigated in accordance with the SFPD-SFDA MOU.

References:

DGO 5.01- Use of Force Policy and Proper Control of Person 
DGO 6.02- Physical Evidence and Crime Scenes 
DGO 10.11- Body Worn Cameras 
DGO 11.04 - Peer Support Program 
DGO 11.09- Employee Assistance Program/ Stress Unit