DGO1.01 "Organizational Structure"

This public review draft is open for public comment from 7/10/26 through 8/21/26. It is not an official representation of the published policy

1.01

1.01.01 PURPOSE 

The purpose of this order is to outline the organizational structure of the San Francisco Police Department (Department), including rank hierarchy and reporting responsibilities.

1.01.02 POLICY

The Chief of Police (Chief) retains the authority to restructure the Department in accordance with the day-to-day operational responsibilities as set forth under the San Francisco Charter (Charter). Upon restructuring, the Chief or designee, will inform the Police Commission and the Department of any changes via a Department Notice.

The Chief may create temporary special unit assignments in response to Department or community needs.

1.01.03 OVERSIGHT

The Police Commission (Commission) adopts Departmental policy through public hearings, adjudicates serious misconduct cases, and exercises additional authority as outlined in Section 4.109 of the Charter. In matters involving Department operations and administration, the Commission acts through the Chief or the Chief's designees. The Commission has the authority to evaluate the performance of the Chief and may remove the Chief acting jointly or separately from the mayor.

1.01.04 COMMAND PROTOCOL

  1. Office of the Chief of Police - The Chief is the highest-ranking member of the Department and exercises command over all personnel. As the Department Head under the Charter Section 4.126, the Chief is responsible for the administration and management of the Department's day-to-day operations.
  2. Rank Hierarchy - The order of command authority for sworn members and non-sworn professional staff is as follows: In the absence of the Chief, an acting Chief of Police will be designated.
    1. Sworn Members by Rank
      1. Chief of Police
      2. Assistant Chief
      3. Deputy Chief
      4. Commander
      5. Captain
      6. Lieutenant
      7. Sergeant/Inspector
      8. Assistant Inspector
      9. Police Officer
    2. Non-Sworn Rank Equivalency
      1. Director is equivalent to Captain rank
      2. Manager is equivalent to Lieutenant rank
      3. Principal Analyst is equivalent to Sergeant rank

1.01.05 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

  1. Assistant Chief - If assigned, the Assistant Chief will support the Chief in administration, coordination, and management of daily Departmental operations, serving in the capacity of the Chief of Staff as directed. The Chief of Staff Office may include: the Risk Management Office, Internal Affairs, Legal Division, Policy Development Division, Government Affairs Division, Fiscal, or Media Relations Units.
  2. Bureau - A primary subdivision of the Department, commanded by a Deputy Chief or equivalent. A bureau is primarily compromised of Divisions, Stations, and Units. The Deputy Chief may either report to the Assistant Chief or directly to the Chief of Police.
    1. Administration Bureau - The Administration Bureau oversees the following divisions/units:
      1. Academy/Training Division
        1. Field Tactics
        2. Field Training Office
        3. Professional Development Unit
      2. Staff Services Division
        1. Backgrounds
        2. Conceal Carry Weapon Unit
        3. Human Resources
        4. Recruitment
        5. Staffing and Deployment Unit
      3. Support Services
        1. Crime Information Services Unit
        2. Facilities and Fleet
    2. Airport Bureau - The Airport Bureau oversees the following divisions/units:
      1. Administration Division
      2. Patrol Division
      3. Traffic Division
    3. Field Operations Bureau (FOB) - The Field Operations Bureau oversees Crime Strategies and Night Operations in addition to the following divisions/units:
      1. Golden Gate Division
        1. Bayview Station
        2. Ingleside Station
        3. Park Station
        4. Richmond Station
        5. Taraval Station
        6. Weekend Captains
      2. Metro Division
        1. Central Station
        2. Northern Station
        3. Southern Station
        4. FOB Assignments
        5. FOB HQ
      3. Mid-City Division
        1. Mission Station
        2. Tenderloin Station
        3. Drug Market Agency Coordination Center (DMACC)
        4. DMACC Nights
    4. Investigations Bureau - The Investigations Bureau oversees the following divisions/unit:
      1. General Crimes
        1. Burglary Unit
        2. Financial Crimes
        3. General Work
        4. ORC TF
        5. Robbery Unit
      2. Major Crimes
        1. CGI Center
        2. CVR Team
        3. Homicide Unit
        4. Missing Persons Unit
        5. VRI Team
      3. Special Victims
        1. Cold Cases Unit
        2. Domestic Violence Unit
        3. Human Trafficking Unit
        4. Rebooking Unit
    5. Special Operations Bureau - The Special Operations Bureau oversees the following divisions/units:
      1. Homeland Security
        1. DOC
        2. Chase Center
        3. HSU/Terrorism Liaison
        4. Marine Unit
        5. MTA K-9 Team
      2. Tactical Division
        1. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit
        2. Honda Unit
        3. Hostage Negotiation Team
        4. K-9 Unit
        5. Lake Merced Range
        6. Mounted Unit
        7. SWAT Team
        8. Urban Area Security Initiative
      3. Traffic Division
        1. Traffic Enforcement Unit
        2. Traffic Collision Unit
  3. Division - A primary subdivision of a Bureau, generally compromised of stations and/or more than one unit which is typically overseen by a Captain.
  4. Unit - A designated specialized team within the Department that performs specific operational, investigative, or administrative functions which is typically overseen by a Lieutenant.