Member Arrest and Notification to the Community & News Media
Bureau Order
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.
Member Arrest and Notification to the Community / News Media
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to establish the policies and procedures for release of information to the community and news media when a Department member has been charged with a crime.
II. PROCEDURES
In order to build accountability, transparency, and trust with the community, the Department has expanded its reporting of information surrounding officer misconduct within the frame work of existing law, concerning the Peace Officer Bill of Rights (POBR) and general rights to privacy.
In furtherance of this goal to increase transparency, the Department commits to providing the following information.
Felony Arrest
(1) In the event that a member is arrest for a felony crime stemming from an SFPD investigation, the Assistant Chief of Staff shall notify the Director of Strategic Communications and/or the Officer in Charge of the Media Relations Unit of the arrest.
(2) The Media Relations Unit (MRU) shall prepare a draft news release to include information on the arrest, within the frame work of existing Government Code(s) concerning the release of arrest information. The MRU shall forward the draft news release to the Commanding Officer of Risk Management and the Chief of Staff for review and approval.
(3) Once approved, the news release shall be shared with the community/news media via email, SFPD website and social media as enumerated in Media Relations Unit Order #16-01.
Misdemeanor Arrest
(1) In the event that a member is arrested for a misdemeanor crime stemming from an SFPD investigation, the Assistant to the Chief of Staff shall notify the Director of Strategic Communications and/or the Officer in Charge of the Media Relations Unit of the arrest.
(2) The Media Relations Unit (MRU) shall prepare a draft statement to include information on the arrest, within the frame work of existing Government Code(s) concerning the release of arrest information. The MRU shall forward the draft statement to the Commanding Officer of Risk Management and the Chief of Staff for review and approval. Once approved, the statement shall be made available to the community and news media upon request.