25-041 Access to Public Safety Cameras

With the passage of Proposition E, the City and County of San Francisco may install public safety cameras in locations where the Chief of Police has determined, following a public meeting, that installation would enhance public safety. 

As the Department works with the Department of Technology to install new cameras, the Department is also working to re-launch existing community safety cameras into public safety cameras. 

Current Public Safety Camera Locations: 
16th St./Mission St.  
3rd St./Newcomb Ave. 
19th St./Mission St.  
24th St./Mission St.  
3rd St./Kirkwood Ave. 
3rd St./Oakdale Ave. 
3rd St./Quesada Ave.

Members of the Police Department may obtain copies of public safety camera recordings or access live feeds by presenting a written request to the Department of Emergency Management (DEM).  Review of the footage shall be limited to the investigation of specific crimes, active operations, and crimes in progress. Requests shall be submitted by a sworn member of the Department holding the rank of Sergeant or higher and approved by a Captain or higher-ranking officer. 

In exigent circumstances only, DEM may release the recordings and/or live access to a Sergeant or higher-ranking officer prior to the receipt of a written request. But in that circumstance, the requesting officer must then provide DEM a written justification for the release, including specification of the exigent circumstances, approved by a sworn member holding the rank of Captain or higher, within 7 days from the release. 

Video footage is retained for a period of 30 days, unless the Department advises that a longer retention period is required for an active investigation. To request that footage be retained for a longer period of time, e-mail the DEM Custodian of Records with the request at redacted.

The following protocols for requesting recordings and access to live monitoring may change as a new cloud-based video management system is implemented. Changes to these protocols will be announced through an updated Department Notice. 

Historical Recordings:

STEP 1: 
Member (Sergeant or higher-ranking member) requests video footage by completing the DEM Form, “Police Request for Community/Public Safety Camera Recordings.” The form is then faxed or emailed to DEM Custodian of Records.
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STEP 2: 
Members must respond to DEM to pick up the video. 

Live Access/Monitoring:
Access to live monitoring of public safety cameras is currently limited to the physical locations of DEM (1011 Turk Street), or RTIC (850 Bryant Street).

STEP 1:
Member (Sergeant or higher-ranking member) requests viewing by completing the DEM Form, "Police Request for Public Safety Camera Live Feed Viewings." The form shall include a Case number, CAD number, or OP Order number. If necessary, members can request a CAD number from DEM. The form is then e-mailed to the DEM supervisor: [email protected]. See instructions on the form.

Members should call DEM redacted to notify them that an e-mail request is waiting for approval.

STEP 2:
DEM will approve the request by replying from the redacted account with the DEM supervisor's name.
Example: Approved, DEM Supervisor Jane Doe

STEP 3:
Respond to DEM or RTIC for live monitoring. Members must call prior to responding to DEM or RTIC.

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Requesting Member's Reporting Responsibilities:
Prop E requires the Department to prepare an annual report on all public safety cameras. The number of times images were used to make an arrest is a mandatory reporting statistic. Any member requesting historical or live monitoring footage shall report all arrests to RTIC by e-mail including the case number. redactedredacted

Locations of Existing and Approved Cameras:
Additional information regarding the Public Safety Camera Ordinance and locations of cameras are listed on the San Francisco Police Department's Website. Public Safety Cameras I San Francisco Police Department

/s/
WILLIAM SCOTT 
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.