25-079 The Pierce's Pledge Safe Storage Program

The purpose of this notice is to announce the San Francisco Police Department’s participation in the Pierce’s Pledge Safe Storage Program.

Pierce’s Pledge is a non-profit organization whose mission is to keep children safe during stressful and emotionally volatile time of custody disputes. Members of the family law community take a pledge to communicate firearm risks, ask family law litigants to not only declare weapons and guns they may have in their possession but also request that they store them in a secure off-site location with a third-party during a family law case, or as may be required under state or federal law.

In support of this mission, each of the 10 SFPD district stations will be designated drop-off locations for surrendered firearms. These firearms will be stored off-site by the Property Control Division (PCD). Members will accept these weapons in line with the property for safekeeping process.

Procedures:

• Each station will post the attached flyer in a public area.
• Members of the public may voluntarily surrender weapons or firearms.
• Members shall take custody of firearms. PSAs shall notify a supervisor to handle.
• Members shall provide the reportee with a Property Receipt form (SFPD 315) for the surrendered weapon.
• Provide reportee with related follow-up forms & the PCD Firearms Unit contact information (415-553-1377).
• Prior to booking the firearm as Property for Safekeeping, members shall conduct an inquiry of the firearm via the Automated Firearms System (AFS). If the firearm inquiry returns as stolen or involved in a crime, members shall consult with a supervisor.
• To ensure the integrity of booked evidence/firearm, members shall adhere to the following guidelines for packaging and sealing evidence after rendering the item safe:
  • Place all items of evidence into the appropriate packaging container (i.e., Firearm Only Envelopes).
  • Place Barcode labels where indicated (Property for Safekeeping)
  • Mark all seal joints of the evidence envelope, bag or box with your initials and star number. Close envelope, bag or box. DO NOT use staples.
  • Securely apply transparent tape over all marked seal joints.
• Members shall take a report, choosing the Pierce's Pledge CDW title: Safekeeping Property (Pierce's Pledge) 73002
• The firearm will be retained for a maximum of one ( 1) year, after which it must be returned or destroyed following the notification procedures below.

Firearm Retention or Return:

Members should notify the reportee that they must contact PCD Firearms Unit for guidelines for reclaiming their firearm(s). If PCD is not contacted prior to the one-year expiration date, a member of the PCD Firearm Unit will forward a reminder letter to the reportee's known address on file. If PCD has not been contacted within 60 calendar days from the date of reminder letter, the PCD firearms unit will start the process for the destruction of the firearm(s).

If the person who owns the firearms (if different from the reportee) does not wish to have the firearm returned, they are entitled to sell or transfer the title to a (FFL) licensed dealer, provided that the firearms are legal to own or possess and the person has the right to title the firearm.

References:
DGO 6.15 Property Processing
DN 25-074 Procedure for Reporting Stolen, Lost, and Recovered Stolen/Lost Firearms
DN 24-035 Revised Property Evidence Packaging
 

/s/
PAUL YEP
Interim Chief of Police

Per DN 23-152, all sworn & non-sworn members shall electronically acknowledge this Department document in PowerDMS within (30) thirty calendar days of issuance. Members whose duties are relevant to this document shall be held responsible for compliance. Any questions regarding this policy should be sent to [email protected] who will provide additional information.