26-045 Deployment of and Training on Catch-Poles

Department Notice

San Francisco Police Department

This document is not an official representation of the published policy. To access the official signed policy, please submit a request through our Public Records Request Portal.

26-045
Published: 
Expire: 

The purpose of this notice is to deploy Catch-Poles at each District Station and to announce training for officers on Catch-Pole use in order to promote safe handling of vicious dogs and to provide officers with a de-escalation tool in these situations. This tool will also help officers during times when the Department of Animal Care and Control (ACC) is unavailable.

A Catch-Pole is a long-handled tool, each with its own identifying number, with a looped cable on one end that is designed to restrain vicious animals. Catch-Poles will be deployed at each District Station for officers to use during calls for service involving vicious dogs. As Specialists and the Tactical Unit are already trained in Catch-Pole use, optional training will also now be extended to the Field Operations Bureau. Catch-Pole use is only allowed in accordance with the provisions of this Department Notice.

Catch Pole Use

  1. A trained officer, with station supervisor approval, may carry the pole in the trunk area of their patrol vehicle for the duration of their shift. 
  2. A patrol supervisor can deploy one from the station if needed. 
  3. Officers should identify themselves as the unit with the Catch-Pole when en route.
  4. Officers shall have at least one cover officer at all times during Catch-Pole use.

Prohibited Catch Pole Use

No officer shall use a Catch-Pole:

  1. As a solo officer,
  2. As a self-defense weapon (unless exigent circumstances exist),
  3. On non-vicious dogs,
  4. On confined dogs (any dog inside a building or vehicle), during regular ACC business hours, 
  5. If they are untrained.

Unless approved by a station supervisor, no officer shall self-deploy a Catch-Pole to a scene.

After ACC Business Hours (0000-0600)

  1. Officers may use a Catch-Pole on vicious dogs that pose a public threat and require safe custody immediately.
  2. If an officer effectively uses a Catch-Pole on a vicious dog, follow the procedures in DGO 6.07.04 (E), Dog Complaints, After-Hours Response and Notification.

Documentation for All Catch-Pole Use

Following the use of a Catch-Pole during or outside of ACC business hours, officers shall document use into:

  1. SFPD 474 (Rev. 12/25), maintained by the Station Keeper, and
  2. An incident report titled “Dog, Stray or Vicious 64012” which includes: why the Catch-Pole was used and what exigent circumstances existed at the time of the incident, the Catch-Pole identifying number, the perceived health condition and disposition of the vicious dog, any owner information, and the responding ACC officer’s name and badge number, if applicable.

Training

Training will be provided regarding:

  1. Understanding the Catch-Pole’s components and functionality,
  2. Identifying situations when a Catch-Pole should be utilized, and
  3. Practicing the use of the Catch-Pole.

All current interdepartmental protocols between the San Francisco Police Department and ACC pertaining to non-vicious stray dogs and coyotes, confined, in-custody, or injured dogs in the field remain unaffected and shall be adhered to.

No officer shall use the Catch-Pole in any manner other than as outlined in the provided training.

/s/
DERRICK J. LEW
Chief of Police