Joint Response to Public Comment Pursuant to DGO 3.01.04(D)

DGO 1.08 Community Policing

March 11, 2025

SFPD Department General Order (DGO) 3.01 requires that all policies under development be posted publicly to provide members of the public thirty (30) business days to submit policy recommendations.

Pursuant to DGO 3.01.04 (D), the Department and the Department of Police Accountability (DPA) jointly prepare a public response, which shall be posted on the Department’s website, outlining the recommendations included and not included in the DGO draft submitted to the Police Commission.

Joint responses are captured in the following recommendation grid which captures the original recommendation, whether the recommendation was included or not included in the draft DGO, and the explanation relating to the decision to include or not include the recommendation into the draft DGO.

The Department reserves the right to remove or not respond to comments if they are:

  • Unrelated to the subject of the DGO
  • Include private personal information (whether the commenter’s or someone else’s), including home address, home or cell phone number, personal e-mail address, or personal identification.
  • Include profanity or obscene language.

The Department received 14 recommendations for DGO 1.08, Community Policing. DPA agreed with the Department on nine responses, had administrative questions/statements/requests on three responses, and no comment on two responses. 

The Department and DPA extend gratitude to all who took the time to contribute recommendations to this policy.

DGO 1.08 Public Comment Joint Responses | Public Review Period: 10/11/24 - 11/26/24

  • R1

    Public Comment
    You asked for input, but the lay person doesn’t understand what DGO means. I assume community policing means Patrol cars through my neighborhood. I love my Terraville Police they are welcoming and kind and want to create community. However, .

    Date Received
    11/9/24

    SFPD Response
    Administrative Question and Answer-not for inclusion in DGO

    SFPD Explanation
    DGO stands for Department General Order. These are the most permanent and authoritative directives that are applicable to most (or all) of the Department. We appreciate the feedback about the district police being welcoming and kind, and wanting to create community.

    DPA Explanation
    Agree w/ SFPD response.

  • R2

    Public Comment
    This definition is different than the definition for community policing in the California Penal Code (1.08.02 A)

    Date Received
    11/21/24

    SFPD Response
    Administrative Question and Answer-not for inclusion in DGO

    SFPD Explanation
    While Penal Code 13841(d) defines Community Policing within a specific statutory context, it is not a universally binding legal definition that must be used in all contexts. Our definition serves the operational needs of this policy and is not in conflict with the referenced statute.

    DPA Explanation
    Agree w/ SFPD response.

  • R3

    Public Comment
    The Form 509 is cited in the definition, but completing this form is actually a procedure. (1.08.02 C)

    Date Received
    11/21/24

    SFPD Response
    Recommendation will be modified and included in the draft DGO

    SFPD Explanation
    This definition has been removed. Language has been included within the DGO (1.08.03) so members know where they can find the detailed procedures for Form 509, if they need them.

    DPA Explanation
    Agree w/ commenter and SFPD's decision to adopt.

  • R4

    Public Comment
    Should the Strategic Plan be cited in the DGO? Would the Strategic Plan now hold officers accountable related to discipline?

    Date Received
    11/21/24

    SFPD Response
    Administrative Question and Answer-not for inclusion in DGO

    SFPD Explanation
    Language referencing the strategic plan is in the currently active DGO. Officers are accountable for following all directives and the direction of their supervisors.

    DPA Explanation
    DPA does not believe the Strategic Plan is enforcable for discipline purposes as it does not include directives, or the word "shall".

  • R5

    Public Comment
    The DM should not be in the definitions, but in the referenxes

    Date Received
    11/21/24

    SFPD Response
    Recommendation has been included in draft DGO

    SFPD Explanation
    This definition has been removed. The Department Manual has been cited in Reference section.

    DPA Explanation
    Agree w/ commenter and SFPD's decision to adopt.

  • R6

    Public Comment
    The roles section is not Department wide and should not be included in a DGO therefore

    Date Received
    11/21/24

    SFPD Response
    Recommendation will be modified and included in the draft DGO

    SFPD Explanation
    The Role section has been removed from the DGO and key procedures and expectations of most staff have been highlighted so this DGO is relevant for the majority of members. More specific roles and directions for specific Bureaus and/or Units are in the Manual and Unit Orders.

    DPA Explanation
    Agree w/ decision to move specific roles to bureaus and units. This information should also be reflected in the manuals.

  • R7

    Public Comment
    The policy section and the community policing goals have similar values and should be combined. Otherwise, how are the goals different from the value

    Date Received
    11/21/24

    SFPD Response
    Recommendation will be modified and included in the draft DGO

    SFPD Explanation
    The Policy and Purpose section have been amended to increase clarity.

    DPA Explanation
    Agree w/ decision to merge the two sections.

  • R8

    Public Comment
    The first part of this section should not be a shall because how can you require officers to do things like engage with the community that are so broad? Where can the training material mentioned in the second part of this section be? (1.08.04 )

    Date Received
    11/21/24

    SFPD Response
    Recommendation will be modified and included in the draft DGO

    SFPD Explanation
    DGO has been revised to try to remove and/or clarify broad, unenforceable language. 1.08.04 (Procedures) A(1) has been removed. The updated draft now includes key expectations of members that include actively participating in community events and outreach, which are tracked by District Captains; using the S.A.R.A model in collaboration with the community; and reviewing district surveys in FOB meetings to support improvements in community engagement.

    DPA Explanation
     

  • R9

    Public Comment
    Remove this: 1.08.04B3

    Date Received
    11/21/24

    SFPD Response
    Recommendation has been included in draft DGO

    SFPD Explanation
    1.08.04B has been removed, with language guiding Captains about newsletter requirements and community meetings being folded into 1.08.03A(1)(a) under community engagement expectations and responsibilities.

    DPA Explanation
    Question: Will District station continue tracking and reporting progress of their annual plans in newsletters now, instead of reporting the progress at mothly meetings? Or are they no longer responsible for tracking progrress?

  • R10

    Public Comment
    In the communication section, officers will provide community information on crime. What about information that cannot be disclosed?

    Date Received
    11/21/24

    SFPD Response
    Recommendation will be modified and included in the draft DGO

    SFPD Explanation
    Section referenced in recommendation has been removed. However, the spirit of keeping community members informed about community activities has been included in the policy section ("Promote transparency by providing clear and accurate information").

    DPA Explanation
    Agree w/ SFPD response.

  • R11

    Public Comment
    In the accountability section, it requires officers to be accountable for community policing efforts, but no where in the DGO does it explicitly say what the officers are specially accountable for. This should be clarified so officers do not risk discipli

    Date Received
    11/21/24

    SFPD Response
    Recommendation will be modified and included in the draft DGO

    SFPD Explanation
    The Accountability section has been modified so that effectiveness is being measured and evaluated as a whole, not per member, using community feedback, the annual report, and internal and external review committees.

    DPA Explanation
    Agree w/ SFPD response. DPA does not view this DGO as creating officer specific obligations for community policing.

  • R12

    Public Comment
    Requiring every commanding officer to submit an annual plan seems to only add to officers administrative burden and seems like busy work since there is no actual requirement to implement the plans.

    Date Received
    11/21/24

    SFPD Response
    Recommendation will not be included in Draft DGO

    SFPD Explanation
    The Department believes in the importance of community policing and embodying the guardian mindset. All divisions, bureaus, and units submit a plan and are held accountable to that plan by their supervisor.

    DPA Explanation
    Addressed at concurrence. Agree w/SFPD direction on issue.

  • R13

    Public Comment
    Move review committees to roles

    Date Received
    11/21/24

    SFPD Response
    Recommendation will not be included in Draft DGO

    SFPD Explanation
    Information about Review committees is specific and mostly for CED, and this information is already covered in the Department Manual. Therefore, it has been removed from the DGO.

    DPA Explanation
    no comment.

  • R14

    Public Comment
    1.08.06 and 1.08.07 should be moved to the Manual for this DGO or for training. Especially 1.08.06 is only for CED

    Date Received
    11/21/24

    SFPD Response
    Recommendation will be modified and included in the draft DGO

    SFPD Explanation
    Language about training has been amended to remove items more suitable (and already covered in) the Department Manual. 1.08.05 (Training) now states in part "employees will attend biannual community policing training that includes community engagement and customer service techniques, problem-solving strategies, and procedural justice"

    DPA Explanation
    Please provide a draft of DM 2 as several items were moved to the manual since we last reviewed.