DGO8.05 "Labor Disputes"

This public review draft is open for public comment from 8/25/26 through 10/6/26. It is not an official representation of the published policy

8.05

8.05.01 PURPOSE

This order establishes Department policy for labor disputes. It provides guidance for facilitating lawful labor-related activity, preserving the peace, and addressing enforcement issues that may arise during a labor dispute.

8.05.02 POLICY

Members shall remain neutral as to the merits of the labor dispute, preserve the peace, prevent violence, and facilitate the lawful exercise of First Amendment rights. When addressing conduct associated with labor-related activity, members should seek voluntary compliance and provide warnings before escalating enforcement when circumstances permit. Members may take immediate enforcement action to address criminal conduct.

8.05.03 PROCEDURES

A. Picketing and Leaflet Distribution

  1. Picketing and the distribution of leaflets do not require a permit and may occur on public sidewalks and on the apron of private property where the public may lawfully be, such as a private sidewalk or customer entrance area.
  2. When a property owner or representative requests trespassing enforcement, members shall consider whether the labor-related activity is legally protected before taking action.

B. Labor Dispute Specific Court Orders

  1. Temporary restraining orders (TROs) and preliminary injunctions are court orders that may address specific labor dispute subjects not covered in criminal statutes or ordinances, such as the number of pickets, the location, and the distance required between pickets.

C. Enforcement Requests

  1. When enforcement is requested for trespassing or an alleged violation of a court order:
    1. The person making the request shall be directed to the on-scene supervisor.
    2. The supervisor shall notify the picket captain of the alleged violation, request voluntary compliance, and advise that continued non-compliance may result in arrest.
    3. Before making an arrest for trespassing or a court order violation, the supervisor shall obtain approval from their Commanding Officer.
  2. When criminal conduct occurs during a labor dispute, such as violence, threats of violence, or vandalism, members may take directed enforcement action against the violator without first seeking voluntary compliance through the picket captain or obtaining Commanding Officer approval.
  3. If a labor dispute becomes an unlawful assembly or a riot, members will follow the procedures in DGO 8.03, Crowd Control.

D. Incident Report Requirements

  1. Document in an incident report as appropriate.
  2. In conducting the investigation, members may obtain the names of individual picketers and participants who are reasonably believed to be in violation of an order.