Games PC POLICE QUEST 4 User Manual

dedicated to Chief Daryl F. Gates after 42 years of

services to the Department and the

City of Los

Angeles.

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VOLUME I - POLICY
OBJECTIVES

110. Motto of the Department

120. Primary Objective

130. Functional Objectives

140. Resource Objectives

PERSONAL CONDUCT

210.

230.

Employee Conduct
When to Take Police Action

240. Employee-Public Contact

270.

280.

COMMUNTIY RELATIONS

310.

320.

330.

340.

350.

Employee Conflict of Interest

Sexual Harassment

General Provisions
Individual Dignity

Role of the Individual Officer
Equality of Enforcement
Responsiveness to the

Community

360.

370.

380.

Openess of Operation
Intelpersonal Communication
Training in Human and
Community Relations

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

420.

440.

480.

News Media Relations
Public Information
Liaison with Criminal Justice

System

LAW ENFORCEMENT
OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

536.

540.

544.

546.

547.

Crime Scene Supervision
Follow-Up Investigation
Informants
Conduct of Undercover Officers
Undercover Officers Posing as

Members of the News Media

548.

Department Response to
Impending Riot

556.

564.

571.

584.

588.

VOLUME
MANAGEMENTRULES
ANDPROCEDURES

GENERAL MANAGEMENT
PROCEDURES

258.

RECORDS AND REPORTS

405.

Use of Firearms
Officers Surrendering Weapon
Use of Department Police Dogs
Vice Enforcement
Narcotic Enforcement

III-

Monthly Shooting Qualification

Confidential Nature of
Department Records, Reports,
and Information

406.

Release of Police Record

Information

UNIFORMS AND

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

e3

UNIFORMS AND PERSONAL
EQUIPMENT (CONTINUED)

615.

Optional Uniform-Police

Officers

Eligible for Unrestricted

Field Duty

616.

Uniform-Captain

Dress

and

Above

617.

Air Support Division

Uniform-

Police Officers

618.

Indoors

Uniform--Police

Officers

619.

620.

Jumpsuits-Police Officers
Fatigue

Uniform-Police

Officers

621.

Field Equipment-Police
Officers

622.

624.

Police Equipment Belt
Additional Clothing-Police
Officers Eligible for Unrestricted
Field Duty

626.

Uniform Accessories-Police
Officers Eligible for Unrestricted
Field Duty

627.

Plainclothes Equipment-Police
Officers

637.

Wearing of Department
Decorations

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

755. Employee Service Pins

756.

Commendations

770. Physical Fitness and Physical
Fitness Tests

776. Loyalty Oath

797.

Deaths of Department Employees

FIELD ACTIVITIES

201.

Notifications to Investigating
Officers, General

202.

203.

Field Interrogation
Preliminary Field Investigation
and Reports

212.

216.

217.

220.

221.

222.

238.

245.

Requesting Aid in the Field

Taking Persons into Custody

Custody of Unbooked Prisoners
Vehicle Reporting Procedure
Field Releasing Vehicles
Impounding Vehicles
Dead Bodies

Employee-Involved Use of Force

Incidents

275. Pin

279.

BOOKING, CUSTODY,
AND DISPOSITION OF
PROPERTY

Maps

Shotguns in Police Vehicles

505. Property Classifications

510.

525.

FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION

702.

Booking Procedure
Preserving Property

Detective’s Case Envelope­Felony Arrestees

709.

710.

712.

733.
7x0.

Deaths
Homicides
Missing/Found Persons
Informants

Vehicles-Investigation and
Release

LAW ENFORCEMENT
OPERATIONS

504.

508.

The Nature of Task

Police Action Based on Legal
Justification

520.

522.

Preliminary Investigation
Reporting Incidents Motivated by

Hatred or Prejudice

528.

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601.

602.

Possession of

Uniforms

and
Personal Equipment
Maintenance of Uniforms and

VOLUME IV-LINE
PROCEDURES

Equipment

605.

606.

610.

611.

614.

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Personal Appearance
Wearing of Uniform
Firearms
Ammunition

Basic

Uniform-Police

Officers

Eligible for Unrestricted Field
Duty

105.

110.

120.

130.

Department Communications

System
Radio Unit Designations
Radio Terminology, Codes, and
Crime Broadcasts

Radio Message Priority

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VOLUME

1 -

POLICY

OBJECTIVES

110. MOTTO OF THE
DEPARTMENT.

The motto,

Serve,” states the essential purpose of
the Los Angeles Police Department.

The Department protects the right of

all persons within its jurisdiction to
be free from criminal attack, to be
secure in their possessions, and to

live in peace. The Department serves
the people of Los Angeles by
performing the law enforcement

function in a professional manner,

and it is to these people that the
Department is ultimately responsible.

120. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE.

A large urban society free from crime

and disorder remains an unachieved

ideal; nevertheless, consistent with

the values of a free society, it is the

primary objective of the Los Angeles

Police Department to as closely as

possible approach that ideal. In so

doing, the Department’s role is to
enforce the law in a fair and impartial
manner,

statutory and judicial limitations of

police authority and the constitutional

right of all persons. It is not the role
of the Department to legislate, to

render legal judgments, or to punish.

“To Protect and To

recognizing both the

130. FUNCTIONAL OBJECTIVES.

130.10 PREVENTION OF CRIME.

Peace in a free society depends on
voluntary compliance with the law.
The primary responsibility for
upholding the law therefore lies not
with the police, but with the people.
Since crime is a social phenomenon,
crime prevention is the concern of
every person living in society.
Society employs
professional police to prevent crime,

to deter it, and when that fails, to
apprehend those who violate the law.

Crime is a symptom of ills within
society which are
responsibility of the Department to
cure. The Department is responsible,
however, for interacting with the
community to generate mutual
understanding so that there may be
public support for crime prevention.

Community involvement is essential
to facilitate a free flow of
information between the public and
the Department to assist in the
identification of problem areas and to
inform the public of crime statistics
and trends. Additionally, knowledge
of the community is necessary so that
each Department employee may be
instilled with a sense of concern for

the crime problems and law
enforcement needs in his assigned
area of responsibility.

full-time

not the

130.10 (CONTINUED)

The

prevention Of Crime

basic obligation of society. When it

becomes necessary to rely on police

action to secure compliance with the

law, society has failed in this

responsibility.

130.20
While there are certain crimes that
cannot be deterred, crimes committed
against property and against innocent

victims in public places are reduced
by police patrol. Street crime is
curbed by the potential criminal’s
fear of immediate apprehension or by
the increased likelihood of his
detection. The deterrence of crime

requires the investigation of behavior

which reasonably appears to be
criminally directed.

In deploying patrol forces to deter
crime and to inspire public
confidence in its ability to ensure a
peaceful environment, the
Department must strike a balance
between the desirable deterrent effect
of visible patrol and any undesirable

appearance of oppression. In the

long run, however, it must be the
people, not the Department, who
determine the limitations on their
freedom.

DETERRENCE OF CRIME.

remains

as a

130.25 REVERENCE FOR

HUMAN LIFE.

Reverence for human life is the
primary consideration in developing
tactics and strategies in pursuit of our
motto; “To Protect and To Serve.”
Whenever an operation designed to
achieve an immediate goal such as
the arrest of a felon or the gathering
of evidence to complete a criminal
investigation causes a victim,
witness, or other innocent person to
be subjected to potential injury or
death, our primary objective must be
to protect that person. No arrest,
conviction, or piece of evidence can
outweigh the value of human life.

130.30 APPREHENSION OF

OFFENDERS.

The administration of criminal justice
consists of the identification, arrest,

prosecution, punishment, and

rehabilitation of a law violator, and it
has as its objective the voluntary
compliance with the law as an
alternative to punishment. Once a
crime has been committed, it is the
duty of the Department to initiate the
criminal justice process by
identifying and arresting the
perpetrator, to obtain necessary
evidence, and to cooperate in the
prosecution of the case.

I

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130.30(CONTINUED)

As the certainty of swift and sure
punishment serves as an effective
deterrent to crime, the Department
must diligently strive to solve all
crimes and to bring the perpetrators

to justice.

14O.RESOURCE OBJECTIVES.

140.10 DEPARTMENT

PERSONNEL.

Police officers are frequently
required to make decisions affecting
human life and liberty in difficult
situations where there is no
opportunity to seek advice and little
time for reflection. Law enforcement
in a free and complex society
requires an officer to have the
stamina, intelligence, moral courage,
and emotional stability necessary to
fairly and impartially deal with
human beings in the many
complicated and potentially

explosive situations which he
encounters. To obtain the caliber of
personnel necessary to provide the
public with professional law
enforcement, it is essential that the
Department participate in the
recruitment and selection of potential
officers. Thereafter, the Department
must provide training for all officers
and promote the most qualified.

140.20 UTILIZATION OF
RESOURCES.

Law enforcement is one of the most
expensive and complex services

provided by the City. The quality

and extent of service provided are
necessarily limited by available
resources which are to a large extent

dependent upon the revenue sources
of the City. To ensure that the
highest level of service is obtained
from the resources at its disposal, the
Department must make use of the
most efficient management and
budgeting techniques available.

PERSONAL CONDUCT

210.EMPLOYEE CONDUCT.

210.10 LAW ENFORCEMENT
CODEOFETHICS.

“As a law enforcement officer, my
fundamental duty is to serve
mankind; to safeguard lives and

property, to protect the innocent
against deception, the weak against
oppression or intimidation, and the
peaceful against violence or disorder;

and to respect the Constitutional

rights of all men to liberty, equality
and justice.

I will keep my private life unsullied
as an example to all; maintain
courageous calm in the face of

210.10

(CONTINUED)

danger,
self-restraint:

scorn, or ridicule; develop

and be constantly
mindful of the welfare of others.
Honest

in thought and deed in both
my personal and official life, I will
be

exemplary in obeying the laws of
the land and the regulations of my
department. Whatever I see or hear
of a confidential nature or that is

confided to me in my official
capacity will be kept ever secret

unless revelation is necessary in the
performance of my duty.

210.13 RESPECT FOROTHERS.

The cosmopolitan nature of the City
is reflected in the diversity of
Department employees. In such a
diverse environment, biases or
prejudices relating to factors such as
race, ethnicity, sex, age, economic

status, position in the community, or
employee status with the Department
must not be allowed to influence
decision making or conduct involving
other employees. While employees
are entitled to their personal beliefs,
they must not allow individual
feelings or prejudices to enter into

1 will never act officiously or permit

personal feelings, prejudices,

animosities, or friendships to
influence my decisions. With no

compromise for crime and with

professional contacts. Employees
must treat one another with respect
and be constantly mindful that other
people are individuals with emotions
and needs as significant as their own.

relentless prosecution of criminals, I
will enforce the law courteously and
appropriately without fear or favor,

malice or ill will, never employing

unnecessary force or violence and

never accepting gratuities.

Respect for individual dignity is an
integral part of the Department’s
management philosophy and must be
practiced by everyone. Employees
shall treat all persons with respect

and courtesy, and conduct themselves
1 recognize the badge of my office as
a symbol of public faith, and I accept

it as a public trust to be held so long

as

I am

true

to the ethics of the police

in a manner that will foster the

greatest harmony and cooperation

between themselves and other

members of the Department.
service. I will constantly strive to

achieve these objectives and ideals,
dedicating myself before God to my
chosen profession law
enforcement.”

210.15 LOYALTY.

In the performance of his duty to

serve society, an officer is often
called upon to make difficult
decisions. He must exercise

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210.15(CONTINUED)

discretion in situations where his
rights and liabilities and those of the
Department hinge upon his conduct

and judgment. An officer’s decisions
are not easily made and occasionally
they involve a choice which may
cause him hardship or discomfort.
An officer must be faithful to his oath
of office, the principles of

professional police service, and the

objectives of the Department, and in
the discharge of his duty he must not
allow personal motives to govern his
decisions and conduct.

210.20 INTEGRITY.

The public demands that the integrity
of its law enforcement officers be

above reproach, and the dishonesty

of a single officer may impair public
confidence and cast suspicion upon
the entire Department. Succumbing
to even minor temptation can be the
genesis of a malignancy which may
ultimately destroy an individual’s
effectiveness and may contribute to
the corruption of countless others.
An officer must scrupulously avoid

any
compromise the integrity of himself,

his fellow officers. or the
Department.

conduct which might

210.25 ATTENTION TO DUTY.

As most police work is necessarily
performed without close supervision,
the responsibility for the proper
performance of an officer’s duty lies
primarily with the officer himself.
An officer carries with him a
responsibility for the safety of the
community and his fellow officers.
He discharges that responsibility by
the faithful and diligent performance
of his assigned duty. Anything less

violates the trust placed in him by the
people, and nothing less qualifies as
professional conduct.

210.30 COMPLIANCE WITH

LAWFUL ORDERS.

The Department is an organization

with a clearly defined hierarchy of

authority. This is necessary because
unquestioned obedience of a
superior’s lawful command is
essential for the safe and prompt
performance of law enforcement
operations. The most desirable
means of obtaining compliance are
recognition and reward of proper
performance and the positive
encouragement of a willingness to
serve. However, negative discipline
may be necessary where there is a
willful disregard of lawful orders,
commands, or directives.

210.35 CONDUCT UNBECOMlNG
AN OFFICER.

A police officer is the most
conspicuous
government, and to the majority of
the people the officer is a symbol of
stability and authority upon whom
they can rely. An officer’s conduct is
closely scrutinized, and when the
officer’s actions are found to be
excessive, unwarranted, or unjustified,
they are criticized far more severely
than comparable conduct of persons in
other walks of life. Since the conduct
of officers, on or off duty, may reflect
directly upon the Department, officers
must at all times conduct themselves
in a manner which does not bring
discredit to themselves, the
Department, or the City.

representative of

210.47 POLICE OFFICERS'
DUTY TO TESTIFY.

Among the duties of police officers
are those of preventing the
commission of crime, of assisting in

its detection, and of disclosing all
information known to them which
may lead to the apprehension and
punishment, of those who have
transgressed the law. When police
officers acquire knowledge of facts

which will tend to incriminate any

person, it is their duty to disclose

such facts to their superiors and to

testify freely concerning such facts

when called upon to do so, even at
the risk of self-incrimination. It is a
violation of duty for police officers to
refuse to disclose pertinent facts
within their knowledge, and such
neglect of duty can result in
disciplinary action up to and
including termination.

210.50 USE OF INTOXICANTS.

There is an immediate lowering of

esteem and suspicion of ineffectiveness

when there is public contact by a
Department employee evidencing the
use of intoxicants. Additionally, the

stresses of law enforcement require

an employee to be mentally alert and
physically responsive. Except as
necessary in the performance of an

official assignment, the consumption

of intoxicants is prohibited while an

employee is on-duty. While on-duty,

officers shall not be permitted to

consume intoxicants to such a degree

that it impairs their on-duty

performance.

Department personnel shall not

consume any intoxicants at any

Department facility.

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PERSONAL CONDUC

T

(CONTINUED)

210.55 ALCOHOL AND STRESS
RELATED PROBLEMS.

The Department recognizes that

alcoholism and stress-related problems
are genuine medical problems which

are deserving of the same concern
and degree of understanding as the
more traditional illnesses. Every
employee should be aware of the
symptoms of alcoholism and stress.
Employees should not hesitate to seek
professional assistance for themselves
or offer to help fellow employees
affected by these disorders. The

personal obligation of individual
employees regarding assistance to

fellow employees includes the

recognition of the symptoms of
alcoholism and/or stress problems.
There is also an accompanying moral
obligation to encourage the affected
employee to seek professional
assistance.

Supervisory personnel becoming
aware of behavioral patterns

indicative of alcoholism or stress

among Department employees
should immediately meet with the

concerned employee to determine if

alcohol abuse or stress may be
causing the problem behavior.
Initially, the supervisor should
encourage the concerned employee to

offensive to the public and 1
coworkers, and detracts from the
professional bearing of the employee.
The use of chewing tobacco and

off-duty

230. WHEN TO TAKE POLICE
ACTION.

230.05 RESPONSIBILITY OF i
ON-DUTY OFFICERS.

On-Duty, Within City, Fully
Responsible. On-duty officers within

the City limits, after considering the
tactical situation, are to take all steps

reasonably necessary and consistent

with their assignment to effect the
enforcement of the penal provisions
of the City, State, and Nation, and to
protect life and property.

voluntarily seek assistance from
qualified professionals if alcohol
abuse or stress is the basis for an
employee’s problem. If necessary,
the concerned employee may be

mandatorily directed to the

Department’s Behavioral Science
Services for assistance.

210.60 USE OF CHEWING
TOBACCO AND SNUFF.

Department employees are the most
prominent representative of
government and as such must present
a professional image at all times. An
employee’s unwise or unsightly use
of chewing tobacco and snuff is

snuff is prohibited while on-duty, or

in

uniform.

230.05 (CONTINUED)

On-Duty, Outside of City, Fully
responsible for City Matters. On-

duty officers outside the City limits

who become aware of a situation

requiring police action must first

consider the tactical situation, then
take all steps reasonably necessary
on police matters of direct concern to
the City of Los Angeles.

230.10 RESPONSIBILITY OF
OFF-DUTY OFFICERS.

Under California law, both on- and
off-duty officers have peace officer
authority as to any public offense
committed or which there is probable
cause to believe has been committed

in his presence and with respect to
which there is immediate danger to

person or property, or the escape of

i

the perpetrator of such offense.

However, on-duty
City limits who are not acting within
the scope of their employment as Los
Angeles Police officers on matters of
direct concern to the City and off­duty officers both inside and outside
of the City limits are to give first
consideration to causing the

’

appropriate action to be effected by
the responsible law enforcement

1

agency. Such
only after consideration of the tactical

situation and of their possible liability

and that of the City of Los Angeles.

officers

officers

outside the

should then act

240. EMPLOYEE-PUBLIC
CONTACT.

240.05 RESPECT FOR
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

No person has a constitutional right
to violate the law; neither may any
person be deprived of his
constitutional rights merely because
he is suspected of having committed
a crime. The task of determining the
constitutionality of a statute lies with
an appellate court of proper

jurisdiction, not with an officer who

seeks to properly enforce the law as it
exists. Therefore, an officer may
enforce any federal, state, or local
statute which is valid on its face
without fear of abrogating the
constitutional rights of the person
violating that statute. An
lawfully acts within the scope of his
authority does not deprive persons of
their civil liberties. He may within
the scope of his authority make
reasonable inquiries, conduct
investigations, and arrest on probable
cause. However, when an officer
exceeds his authority by
unreasonable conduct, he violates the
sanctity of the law which he is sworn
to uphold.

officer

who

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240.10 USE OF FORCE.

In a complex urban society, officers
are daily confronted with situations

where control must be exercised to
effect arrests and to protect the public
safety. Control may be achieved
through advice, warnings, and

persuasion, or by the use of physical

force. While the use of reasonable

physical force may be necessary in

situations which cannot be otherwise

controlled, force may not be resorted
to unless other reasonable alternatives
have been exhausted or would clearly

be ineffective under the particular
circumstances.
to use whatever force that is
reasonable and necessary to protect
others or themselves from bodily
harm.

Officers

are permitted

240.15 COURTESY.

Effective law enforcement depends
on a high degree of cooperation
between the Department and the
public it serves. The practice of
courtesy in all public contacts
encourages understanding
appreciation; discourtesy breeds
contempt and resistance. The

majority of the public are law­abiding citizens who rightfully
expect fair and courteous treatment
by Department employees. While
the urgency of a situation might

and

preclude the ordinary social
amenities, discourtesy under any

circumstance is indefensible. The
practice of courtesy by an officer is
not a manifestation of weakness; it is,
on the contrary, entirely consistent
with the firmness and impartiality
that characterizes a professional

police officer.

270. EMPLOYEE CONFLICT OF
INTEREST.

270.25 OFFICER CONTACTS
WITH THE PUBLIC.

In each of his contacts with the
public, an officer must be aware that
his actions, appearance, and
statements are those of the
Department. For that reason, and

because of the inherent potential for
conflict in many police contacts, an
officer must develop a fair, impartial,
and reasonable attitude and perform
his task in a businesslike manner.
His statements must be the result of
considered judgment and be absent
of personal opinion, bias, or editorial
comment. Extended conversation
which reflects the officer’s personal
opinions will normally be considered
inappropriate.

280. SEXUAL HARASSMENT.

It is essential that the Department
maintain a healthy working
environmentwhich will provide all

280. (CONTINUED)

employees
perform their duties to their fullest
potential. The working environment
must

be free of sexual harassment to
assure
all employees. Sexual harassment is
a

violation of Federal and State law

and City and Department policy. It

exposes the City, the Police

Department, and the offending

employee to serious liability and can

lower morale,

integrity of employee relationships,
and interfere with the efficiency of

Department operations. Sexual

harassment is viewed by the
Department as serious misconduct
which can result in the offending
employee being subject to disciplinary
action
termination. The Department will not
tolerate sexual harassment.

the opportunity to

fair and courteous treatment of

undermine the

up to and including

Employee Responsibility. All

employees are responsible for
avoiding situations which involve
actual or apparent sexual harassment.
When employees observe behavior
they believe to be sexual harassment
they should confront the offender
directly and make it clear that the
offender’s behavior is unacceptable

and the behavior must stop.

Employees who become aware of
conduct they believe to be sexual

harassment, whether or not the

conduct is directed at them,
witnessed by them, or related to them
by another employee, shall report the
incident to a supervisor immediately.
Employees who do not receive a
satisfactory response to their
complaint shall contact the next level
of

supervision, the Sexual
Harassment Counselor/Women’s
Coordinator.

All employees may obtain support and

guidance when

involving sexual harassment. In
addition to their supervisors, the Sexual

Harassment Counselor/Women’s
Coordinator, employees may also
contact the City Personnel
Department’s Sexual Harassment
Counselor, Equal Employment
Opportunities Division.

dealing with situations

Supervisory Responsibility.

Supervisory employees shall ensure that
each workplace has a working
atmosphere free from sexual

harassment for all employees. The
working environment shall be

businesslike, assuring fair and
courteous treatment for all employees

and the public they serve.
Supervisors shall take prompt and
appropriate action whenever they

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280. (CONTINUED)

observe or are made aware of any
action or conduct that may be

interpreted as sexual harassment.

Command Responsibility.

Commanding officers are responsible

for ensuring that their commands are
free of sexual harassment by
providing appropriate training and
inspection which ensures the

existence of a working environment
free of sexual harassment. Moreover,
commanding officers shall ensure

that supervisors assigned to their
command strictly enforce the policy
of the Department against sexual
harassment promptly and appropriately.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

310. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

Community relations is based upon
the principle that in a democratic
society the police are an integral and
indivisible element of the public they
serve. Community relations is

manifested by positive interaction
between the people and the police
and represents their unity and

common purpose.

A system of law and its enforcement
is not superimposed upon an
unwilling public in a free society; the

law is created by the
themselves to control the behavior of
those who would seek to interfere
with the community welfare and

existence.

While the primary responsibility for
the enforcement of the law lies with
the people, the complexities of

modem society and the inability of
the people to personally cope with
crime has required that they create
the police service to assist in
maintaining social order. The police

represent only a portion of the total
resources expended by the public to
this end; however, this effort,
frequently being restrictive

individual freedom, brings the police

into contact with members of the
public under circumstances which
have a far-reaching impact upon the
lives of the affected individuals. A

citizen’s encounter with the police
can be a very frightening and
emotionally painful experience, and
under these circumstances, the risk of

a misunderstanding is very great.
The minimization of this risk is a
challenge intrinsic to each public
contact by the
Department must strive for the

establishment of a climate where an

officer may perform his duties with
the acceptance, understanding, and

i

approval of the public. Additionally,

Department. The

people

of

310.

(CONTINUED)

the
participation

enforcing the law is essential for the

preservation of freedom.

320.

A recognition of individual dignity is
vital
all persons are subject to the law, all
persons have a right to dignified
treatment under the law, and the
protection of this right is a duty
which is as binding on the
Department as any other.

An officer must treat a person with as

much respect as that person will
allow, and he must be constantly

mindful that the people with whom
he is dealing are individuals with
human emotions and needs. Such

conduct is not a duty imposed in
addition to an officer’s primary
responsibilities, it is inherent in them.

willing and practiced

of the people in

INDIVIDUAL DIGNITY.

in a free system of law. Just as

330. ROLE OF THE INDIVIDUAL
OFFICER

Community relations is manifested in
its most common form in the

numerous daily encounters between
individual officers and citizens. It is
at this level that reality is given to the
unity of the people and the police and

where the greatest burden for
strengthening

community relations is laid.

In dealing with people each officer
must attempt to make his contact one

which inspires respect for himself as
an individual and professional and
one which generates the cooperation
and approval of the public. While
entitled to his personal beliefs, an
officer cannot allow his individual
feelings or prejudices to enter into
public contacts. However, since an
officer’s prejudices may be
subconsciously manifested, it is
incumbent upon him to strive for the
elimination of attitudes which might
impair his impartiality and
effectiveness.

340.
ENFORCEMENT.

As one of the world’s largest cities,

Los Angeles is composed of many
different communities, each with its
own life style and each with its own
individual crime problems. The
cosmopolitan nature of the City is
manifested by the diverse ethnic and

sociological background of its

people. However, all persons in each
area of the City have in common the
need for the protection which is
afforded by fair and impartial law
enforcement.

Additionally, as a person moves
throughout the City, he must be able
to expect a similar police response to
his behavior wherever it occurs.

EQUALITY OF

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340. c-j

Where the law is not evenly
enforced, there follows a reduction in

respect for the law and a resistance to

its enforcement.

In order to respond to varying law
enforcement needs in the different
parts of the City, the Department
must have flexibility in deployment

and methods of enforcement;
however, enforcement policies should
be formulated on a Citywide basis,
and applied uniformly in all areas.

Implicit in uniform enforcement of
law is the element of evenhandedness
in its application. The amount of
force used or the method employed
to secure compliance with the law or

to make arrests is governed by the
particular situation.
circumstances require similar
treatment in all areas of the City and
for all groups and individuals.

To ensure equal treatment in similar

circumstances, an officer must be

alert to situations where, because of a
language barrier or for some other
reason, he may be called upon to
display additional patience and
understanding in dealing with what
might otherwise appear to be a lack

of response.

Similar

350. RESPONSIVENESS TO
COMMUNITY.

THE

The Department must be responsive
to the needs and problems of the
community. While the Department’s

task is governed by the law, the
policies formulated to guide the
enforcement of the law must include

consideration of the public will. This
responsiveness must be manifested at
all levels of the Department by a
willingness to listen and by a genuine
concern for the problems of
individuals or groups. The total
needs of the community must

become an integral part of the
programs designed to carry out the
mission of the Department.

360. OPENNESS OF OPERATION.

Law enforcement operations in a free
society must not be shrouded in

secrecy. It is necessary that there be
full public disclosure of policies and
an openness in matters of public
interest. Consistent with protection
of the legal rights of involved
individuals and with consideration of
the necessity for maintaining the
confidentiality of Department records
and of other primary Department
responsibilities, the Department is to
disseminate accurate and factual
accounts of occurrences of public

interest. Additionally, the Department

must strive to make known and
accepted its objectives and policies.

370.

INTERPERSONAL

COMMUNICATION.

To

promote understanding and
cooperation them must be interpersonal
communication between members of
the community and officers at all
levels of the Department. Each
employee must be aware of the law
enforcement needs of the community
and his particular assigned area of

responsibility. Guided by policy, an
officer must tailor his performance to
attain the objectives of the
Department and to solve the specific
crime problems in the area he serves.
The Department must provide for
programs to encourage productive
dialogue with the public at all levels

and to ensure that the unity of the
police and the people is preserved.

380. TRAINING IN HUMAN AND

COMMUNITY RELATIONS.

The selection process for police
officers is designed to choose the
most qualified and to eliminate those

who are physically, emotionally,

mentally, or socially unfit. Those

selected, however, are representative

of the community at large and as

such are subject to having the same

prejudices and biases found in much
of society. Exposure to crime and its
aftermath can tend to harden and
render insensitive an officer whose

sympathetic understanding is needed

to properly perform his duties. The
Department must provide initial and
continuing training in human and
community relations to help

officers
avoid this hardening of attitude and
to imbue in each officer an
understanding of his total role in the
community.

LA Police Department Manual
community

relations excerp

recognizes that alcoholism and

stress-related problems are genuine

medical problems which are
deserving of the same concern and
degree of understanding as the more
traditional illnesses. Every employee

should be aware of the symptoms of

alcoholism and stress. Employees

should not hesitate to seek

professional assistance

for

themselves or offer to help fellow

employees affected by these

disorders. The personal obligation of

individual employees regarding

assistance to fellow employees

includes the recognition of the

symptoms of alcoholism and/or stress
problems. There is also an
accompanying moral obligation to
encourage the affected employee to

seek professional assistance.

Supervisory personnel becoming
aware of behavioral patterns

indicative of alcoholism or stress

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380. (CONTINUED)

among Department employees

should immediately meet with the
concerned employee to determine if
alcohol abuse or stress may be
causing the problem behavior.
Initially, the supervisor should
encourage the concerned employee to
voluntarily seek assistance from
qualified professionals if alcohol
abuse or stress is the basis for an
employee’s problem. If necessary,
the concerned employee may be

mandatorily directed to the
Department’s Behavioral Science
Services for assistance.

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

420. NEWS MEDIA RELATIONS.

420.10 ROLE OF THE NEWS

MEDIA.

A well-informed public is essential to
the existence of a democratic nation.
To effectively exercise his franchise,

a citizen must be aware of current
events and the state of government.
A free press serves the public by
supplying needed information, by
stimulating thought, and by
providing a medium for expression.

Crime, its results, and the efforts to
combat it are all matters of

continuing public concern. The

Department is regularly involved in
events at which members of the news
media are properly present and
performing their task of gathering
information.

420.20 ROLE OF THE
DEPARTMENT.

The Department actively seeks to
establish a cooperative climate in
which the news media may obtain
information on matters of public
interest in a manner which does not
hamper police operations. However,
certain information must be withheld
from the news media in order to
protect the constitutional rights of an
accused, to avoid interfering with a
Department investigation, or because
it is legally privileged.

420.30 DEPARTMENT PRESS i
RELATIONS OFFICER.

To foster cooperation and mutual ~
respect between the news media and
the Department, a member of the
personal staff of the Chief of Police is
designated as the Department Press !
Relations Officer. His personal
services are made available to
authorized representatives of the news

media to assist in solving problems of
mutual concern to the press and the
Department. Additionally, the Press
Relations Off&r responds to serious
police incidents to assist the news

media in their function.

420.40

RESPONSIBILITY FOR

THE RELEASE OF

INFORMATION.

When an

event being investigated is

of such a spectacular or unusual

nature as to stimulate general
community interest, the news media
will be notified.

420.50 SCOPE AND CONTENT

OF

THE RELEASE OF

INFORMATION.

The

scope and content of each release
of information must be determined
according to the facts of each

situation. Generally, a description of

the circumstances which is not legally

privileged and which will not
prejudice the rights of suspects or
interfere with an investigation will be
made.

420.80 WHERE A NEWSMAN IS

NOT AUTHORIZED.

While a newsman may be permitted

in the area of a crime scene or a
serious police incident, he does not
have the authority to be within a
crime scene or area which has been
secured to preserve evidence or at
any location where his presence

jeopardizes police operations.

420.85 NEWS MEDIA NOT
EXEMPT FROM LAWS.

A newsman’s primary responsibility
is to report the news by obtaining
information and photographs at
news-worthy incidents.

His
opportunity to do so is infrequently
momentary at an emergency scene.

An officer sharing these circumstances
with a newsman should not
unnecessarily obstruct the newsman in
the performance of his duty; however,
members of the news media are
neither impliedly nor expressly
exempt from any municipal, state, or
federal

440. PUBLIC INFORMATION.

440.10 REQUESTS FOR

INFORMATION.

statute.

The public has an abiding interest in

law enforcement and in the activities

of the Department. The news media

and members of the public frequently

direct inquiries to the Department

seeking information on a variety of

subjects. While it is the aim of the

Department to fulfill such requests, it

is not always possible to do so.

Whether to release information or to

grant interviews will be determined

according to the facts of each case.

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440.40 RESPONSIBILITY OF
OFFICERS TO SUPPLY

INFORMATION.

Frequently, due to

public
expectations and because of his
accessibility, an officer is called upon

to supply information both related

and unrelated to the law enforcement

function. An officer should
appropriately answer questions put to
him or refer the person to the proper
individual or agency for such
answers. When a request is made for
information about a police matter, an

officer should decide if he is in
possession of sufficient facts and is
qualified to respond, and whether the
person making the request is a proper

person to receive the information.
Generally, an officer should be open

in his dealings with the public and,

unless there is reason to the contrary,
he should supply requested
information. He should, however, be
cautious to avoid representing as fact
that which is his opinion.

available to them informatio
concerning techniques and procedures
developed or used by the Department.

480.20 CRITICISM OF
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

The Department shares responsibility

with the Judiciary and other law

enforcement
agencies in the criminal justice
system. All elements of the system
work toward common objectives and
each element is functionally
complementary. The cooperative and

harmonious working relationships
which are essential in attaining those
objectives are impaired by
unnecessary criticism of others

engaged in the administration of
criminal justice. For that reason

officers should be aware of the effect

upon law enforcement of any
comments they make which might be
interpreted as being critical of other
law enforcement or prosecution
agencies or individual members of
the Judiciary. However, it is not

480. LIAISON WITH CRIMINAL

JUSTICE SYSTEM.

intended that there be any
infringement of an officer’s right to
express his personal views regarding

480.10 COOPERATION WITH
OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES.

the criminal justice system in general
or any trends which seem destructive

of its efficacy.
The Department maintains a close
working relationship with other law
enforcement agencies, and makes

and prosecution

LAW

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ENFORCEMENT

OPERATIONS

504.

THE NATURE OF THE

TASK.

Law

enforcement operations consist

of

many diverse activities which are
directed toward the attainment of
Department objectives. Activities

such

as patrolling, conducting field

interviews, and issuing traffic

citations are not objectives in
themselves; rather, they are methods

of achieving the real objectives of
preventing and deterring crime,

arresting criminal offenders, and

preventing traffic collisions.

Decisions in law enforcement

operations frequently must be made

in an instant, and the lives of officers
and others may depend upon the

quality of those decisions. An officer

is confronted in stress situations with
both criminal and noncriminal
behavior,

and he must be capable of

making a reasonable response in both
cases. An officer musts base his
conduct and action in each instance

upon the facts of the situation as they

reasonably appear, relying upon his
experience, training, and judgment to

guide him toward morally justified

and lawful decisions and actions.

SOS. POLICE ACTION BASED ON
LEGAL JUSTIFICATION.

What is reasonable in terms of
appropriate police action or what
constitutes probable cause varies
with each situation, and different
facts may justify either an
investigation, a detention, a search,
an arrest, or no action at all. The
requirement that legal justification be

present imposes a limitation on an
officer’s action. In every case, an
officer must act reasonably within the
limits of his authority as defined by

statute and judicial interpretation,
thereby ensuring that the rights of
both the individual and the public are

protected.

520. PRELIMINARY

INVESTIGATION.

520.10 SCOPE OF PRELIMINARY

INVESTIGATION.

The scope of preliminary investigation

by a uniformed officer may be very
restricted or it may constitute the
entire investigation of the crime. In a

particular crime, the scope of the
preliminary investigation may be
limited by investigative policy, and in
all cases it is limited by an officer’s
assignment workload. Consistent
with his other responsibilities, an
officer should continue a preliminary

investigation to the point where the
delay in investigation caused by the

report being processed will not
materially jeopardize

the

investigation.

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520.20 FOLLOW-UP

INVESTIGATION BY UNIFORMED
OFFICERS.

Uniformed officers may conduct a
limited follow-up investigation upon
supervisory approval when there is a

reasonable chance of apprehending
the suspect, when there is a need for
obtaining additional information for
the preliminary investigation report,
or when there are other compelling

circumstances.

520.30 COURTESY CRIME
REPORTS.

Generally, crime reports shall not be
completed for occurrences outside
the City. Department personnel

should impress upon a citizen
requesting a crime report the
importance of an expeditious
investigation and the fact that this can
only occur if the crime is reported to
the concerned agency. In those cases
where exigent circumstances exist
that would make it impractical for a
person to report the crime to the
concerned agency, a courtesy report

may be completed, with prior

supervisory approval,

522. REPORTING INCIDENTS

MOTIVATED BY HATRED OR

PREJUDICE.

It is the policy of the Los Angeles
Police Department to ensure that the
rights of all people guaranteed by the

constitutions of the United States and
the State of California are protected.
When such rights are infringed upon
by violence, threats, or other
harassment, the Department will

use
every necessary resource to rapidly
and decisively identify the suspects,
arrest them, and bring them to

justice.

Acts or threats of violence motivated
by hatred or prejudice are serious.

Such acts generate fear and concern

among victims and the public and
have the potential of recurring,
escalating, and possibly causing
counterviolence.

528. FIELD SUPERVISION.

Since emergency situations occur

without warning, and their duration is
often brief, officers must frequently

make critical decisions without
benefit of on-the-scene direction. In
most police operations, however,
supervision is

available and /
necessary to provide guidance and ’
training. Supervision gives
coherence to the police task and
directs the energies of the

Department into an organized effort.
Proper supervision is essential to
maintain a professional level of
competence in law enforcement
operations,

520.10 SUPERVISION IN FIELD
OPERATIONS.

The

Department is an organization

with

an assignment of responsibility
and accountability throughout the
rank structure. To the degree that a
senior officer is responsible and
accountable for the performance of
his junior, he must be granted
commensurate authority in order to
properly discharge his supervisorial
responsibility. Field supervision
begins with the senior policemen of
the Department, and it is upon them
that the primary burden of training
and supervising less experienced
officers is placed. A field sergeant is
the first level of full-time
supervision, and it is his primary
responsibility to guide, train, direct,
and motivate those over whom he has
control. A field sergeant is not
normally expected to engage in law
enforcement operations except in a
command or supervisory capacity.

536. CRIME SCENE

ERVISION.

SUP

The senior investigating officer
present is in charge of a crime scene.

540. FOLLOW-UP
INVESTIGATION.

540.10 INVESTIGATION OF
REPORTED

CRIMES.

Follow-up investigation consists of

efforts to interview victims and

witnesses; locate, identify, and

Preserve physical evidence; recover

stolen property; identify, locate,
interview, and arrest suspects; present
the case to the prosecutor; and
cooperate in the prosecution of the
defendant. Such investigations are
conducted to produce evidence

relating to the guilt or innocence of

any suspect and to recover property.

540.20 ALLOCATION OF

RESOURCES TO FOLLOW-UP

INVESTIGATIONS.

As it is not feasible to expend equal

time and energy in the investigation

of all reported crimes, priority of

investigation and allocation of

resources must be based upon the

relative seriousness of each reported

crime. However, reported crimes

will be investigated to the fullest

extent possible without regard to the
status of the victims or the areas of
the City in which the crimes occur.

544.

INFORMANTS.

544.10 USE OF INFORMANTS.

Often, information from confidential
sources is the investigative lead
which solves a case and without
which there could not be a
prosecution.

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544.10 (CONTINUED)

Information is received by the
Department regarding criminal

activities and suspects from persons
in all walks of life. Many people
who give information have been
victims or witnesses of crimes, or
they may have a strong desire to aid
law enforcement. There are others
motivated purely by selfish interests.
However,

motivation, the use of informants is a

basic weapon in the fight against
crime, and they are a judicially
recognized source of information.
An informant’s motivation should be

carefully evaluated in determining
the extent upon which the
information will be relied.

regardless of their

544.20 INFORMANT’S
IMMUNITY FROM
PROSECUTION.

Informants will sometimes offer to
exchange information for immunity
or for their release. Such immunity

may properly be granted by a judge

in a judicial proceeding; however,
neither the Department nor any of its
members may grant any person
immunity from prosecution.

546. CONDUCT OF
UNDERCOVER OFFICERS.

In order to obtain information and
evidence regarding criminal activities,
it may be necessary that the

Department utilize undercover
operators. Such operators shall not
become “Agents Provocateurs” or
engage in entrapment. The officers
shall not commit any act or omit to

perform any duty imposed by law

which constitutes a crime.

547. UNDERCOVER OFFICERS
POSING AS MEMBERS OF THE
NEWS MEDIA.

The use of a news media cover by an
officer to obtain intelligence
information is not an acceptable form
of undercover activity. Once a police
officer is discovered in such a role,
particularly in a crowd control
situation, legitimate members of the

media become suspect and could
possibly be exposed to danger. In
addition, such undercover activity
does damage to the trust which
should exist between members of a
free society and the news media
which serves them.

548. DEPARTMENT RESPONSE
TO IMPENDING RIOT.

When the City is confronted with a
situation which may escalate into a
riot, the Department must establish

control of the situation by reacting
quickly and committing sufficient
resources to control the situation.
Control must be established in all
parts of the involved area so that

548. (CONTINUED)

there are no areas into which the

Department cannot go. Law violators
must

be arrested and their prosecution

sought.

Finally, the Department must
remain in the affected area with
adequate personnel and equipment for
a sufficient period of time after order
is

restored to convince all concerned
that additional outbreaks will not be
tolerated.

556.

USE OF FIREARMS.

556.10 PREAMBLETOTHEPOLICY
ON THE USE OF FIREARMS.

The use of a firearm is in all

probability the most serious act in

which a law enforcement officer will
engage. It has the most far-reaching

consequences for all of the parties
involved. It is, therefore, imperative
not only that the officer act within the

boundaries of legal guidelines, ethics,

good judgment, and accepted
practices, but also that the officer be
prepared by training, leadership, and
direction to act wisely whenever
using a firearm in the course of duty.

A reverence for the value of human
life shall guide officers in
considering the use of deadly force.
While officers have an affirmative
duty to use that degree of force

necessary to protect human life, the
use of deadly force is not justified
merely to protect property interests.

It is in the public interest that a police
off&r of this Department be guided
by a policy which the people believe
to be fair and appropriate and which
creates public confidence in the
Department and its individual
officers.

This policy is not intended to create
doubt in the mind of an officer at a
moment when action is critical and
there is little time for meditation or
reflection.
guidelines governing the use of
firearms so that officers can be
confident in exercising judgment as
to the use of deadly force. Such a
policy must be viewed as an
administrative guide for decision­making before the fact and as a
standard for administrative judgment
of the propriety of the action taken.

It is not to be considered a standard
for external judgment (civil or
criminal litigation) of the propriety of
an action taken. This is a matter of
established law and also a process for
courts and juries reviewing specific
facts of a given incident.

It provides basic

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556.20 NECESSITY THAT
OFFICERS BE ARMED.

As long as members of the public are
victims of violent crimes and officers

in the performance of their duties are
confronted with deadly force, it will
remain necessary for police officers
to be properly armed for the
protection of society and themselves.

556.25 REASON FOR THE USE
OF DEADLY FORCE.

An officer is equipped with a firearm
to protect himself or others against
the immediate threat of death or

serious bodily injury or to apprehend
a fleeing felon who has committed a
violent crime and whose escape

presents a substantial risk of death or

serious bodily injury to others.

556.35 MINIMIZING THE RISK
OF DEATH.

An officer does not shoot with the
intent to kill; he shoots when it is

necessary to prevent the individual ,
from completing what he is
attempting. In the extreme stress of a
shooting situation, an officer may not
have the opportunity or ability to
direct his shot to a nonfatal area. To

require him to do so, in every

instance, could increase the risk of
harm to himself or others. However,
in keeping with the philosophy that
the minimum force that is necessary
should be used, officers should be !
aware that, even in the rare cases
where the use of firearms reasonably 1
appears necessary, the risk of death
to any person should be minimized.

556.40 (CONTINUED)

or the use of deadly force where
there is a substantial risk that the
person whose arrest is sought will
cause death or serious bodily injury
to others if apprehension is delayed.
Officers shall not use deadly force to
protect themselves from assaults
which are not likely to have serious
results.

Firing at or from moving vehicles is

generally prohibited. Experience
shows such action is rarely effective
and is extremely hazardous to
innocent persons.

Deadly force shall only be exercised
when all reasonable alternatives have

been exhausted or appear impracticable.

556.55 SUSPECTED FELONY
OFFENDERS.

An officer shall not tire at a person
who is called upon to halt on mere

suspicion and who simply runs away
to avoid arrest. Nor should an officer
tire at a ‘fleeing felon’ if the officer
has any doubt whether the person

tired at is in fact the person against

whom the use of deadly force is
permitted under this policy.

556.60 YOUTHFUL FELONY

SUSPECTS.

This Department has always utilized

extreme caution with respect to the
use of deadly force against youthful
offenders. Nothing in this policy is
intended to reduce the degree of care
required in such cases.

556.30 PROTECTION OF
GENERAL PUBLIC.

Regardless of the nature of the crime
or the justification for firing at a
suspect,

their basic responsibility is to protect
the public. Officers shall not fire

under conditions that would subject
bystanders or hostages to death or
possible injury, except to preserve
life or prevent serious bodily injury.
Firing under such conditions is not

justified unless the failure to do so at

the time would create a substantial
immediate threat of death or serious
bodily injury.

1.50

officers

must remember that

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556.40 THE USE OF DEADLY
FORCE.

An officer is authorized the use of
deadly force when it reasonably
appears necessary:

* To protect himself or others from
an immediate threat of death or
serious bodily injury, or

* To prevent a crime where the

suspect’s actions place persons in

jeopardy of death or serious bodily

injury, or

* To apprehend a fleeing felon for a
crime involving serious bodily injury

Angeles

Police

Department

556.50 JUSTIFICATION LIMITED
TO FACTS KNOWN TO
OFFICER.

Justification for the use of deadly

force must be limited to what
reasonably appear to be the facts

I

known or perceived by an officer at
the time he decides to shoot. Facts
unknown to an
compelling, cannot be considered at a

later date to justify a shooting.

officer,

no matter how

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556.70 SHOOTING AT FLEEING
MISDEMEANANTS.

Officers shall not use deadly force to
effect the arrest or prevent the escape
of a person whose only offense is

classified solely as a misdemeanor
under the Penal Code.

556.75 FIRING WARNING
SHOTS.

Generally, warning shots should not
be tired.

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556.80

DRAWING OR

EXHIBITING FIREARMS.

Unnecessarily or prematurely
drawing or exhibiting a firearm limits
an officer’s alternatives in controlling
a situation, creates unnecessary

anxiety on the part of citizens, and
may result in an unwarranted or
accidental discharge of the firearm.
Officers shall not draw or exhibit a
firearm unless the circumstances
surrounding the incident create a
reasonable belief that it may be
necessary to use the firearm in

conformance with this policy on the
use

of firearms.

Note: During a special meeting on

September 29, 1977, the Board of
Police Commissioners adopted the
following as a valid interpretation of
this Section:

“Unnecessarily or prematurely
drawing or exhibiting a firearm limits
an officer’s alternatives in controlling
a situation, creates unnecessary
anxiety on the part of citizens, and

may result in an unwarranted or
accidental discharge of the firearm.
An officer’s decision to draw or
exhibit a firearm should be based on
the tactical situation and the officer’s

reasonable belief there is a

substantial risk that the situation may

escalate to the point where deadly

force may be justified. When an
officer has determined that the use of
deadly force is not necessary, the

officer shall, as soon as practicable,

secure or holster the firearm.”

564. OFFICERS SURRENDERING
WEAPON.

An officer or his partner may be at
the mercy of an armed suspect who
has the advantage, but experience has
shown that the danger to an officer is
not reduced by his giving up his gun ~
upon demand. Surrendering his
weapon might mean giving away his
only chance for survival; therefore,
an officer should use every tactical

tool at his disposal to avoid
surrendering his weapon.

571. USE OF DEPARTMENT

POLICE DOGS.

Police dogs are a multi-functional
asset of the Los Angeles Police
Department. Police dogs may be
used in appropriate circumstances to
assist officers in the search for
criminal suspects; the detection and
location of narcotics
explosives; and the location of i
missing adults or juveniles.

Supervisors or officers at the scene of
a police incident may request the
assistance of a police dog and shall
be responsible for determining if the
dog is to be used. When a police dog

and/or

571.

(CONTINUED)

is

deployed, the dog handler shall be

solely

responsible for the control and

direction of the dog.

police dogs may be used:

*

In the detection, control, and
apprehension of a suspect when there
is a reasonable suspicion of the
suspect’s involvement in criminal

activity;

* In

the search of buildings and large

areas for suspects;

*

In the investigation of a crime or

possible crime;

*

In searches for narcotics and/or

narcotic paraphernalia;

*

In searches for explosives and/or

explosive devices;

*

In criminal and non-criminal
incidents to assist in the search for
missing juveniles or adults.

Police dogs are employed to assist
officers in the performance of their
duties. In appropriate circumstances,
police dogs may be used to defend
peace officers and others from

Imminent danger at the hands of an
assailant, and may defend themselves
from annoying, harassing, or
provoking acts.

584. VICE ENFORCEMENT.

The people through their elected
representatives have decided that
criminal sanctions should be imposed
against certain behavior which has
been traditionally labeled as “vice.”

The Department is charged with the
enforcement of all criminal statutes
including those defining vice
offenses. Where vice conditions are
allowed to continue, they are soon
exploited by organized crime and the
money thus obtained is often used to
finance other criminal ventures or

attempts to corrupt public officials.

To prevent the spread of vice
conditions, the Department will take

aggressive

enforcement action
against all commercialized vice
activities, against those vice activities
which have been complained of, and
against conspicuous vice conditions
which appear on the streets and in the

public places of the City.

588. NARCOTIC ENFORCEMENT.

It is the objective of the Department
to enforce all local, State, and federal

statutes
possession, use, or traffic in narcotics,
non-prescription dangerous drugs,
and other restricted or prohibited

substances. Through a combination

of aggressive enforcement and public

which prohibit the

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588. (CONTINUED)

education, the Department seeks to
prevent and deter the use and
possession of, and traffic in, all such

substances within the City. In so
doing, the Department may also
conduct investigations outside the
City in cooperation with appropriate
law enforcement agencies to prevent
the flow of such illegal substances
into the City.

To prevent the spreading use of
narcotics and other dangerous
substances, the Department engages
in public education programs to

inform people about the effects and

hazards of drug abuse. Additionally,
the Department provides the public
with factual information with which

to make decisions regarding the use
of drugs and to assist members of the
public in recognizing symptoms and
indications of drug use in others. An
understanding and appreciation of the
full effect and extent of drug abuse is
essential for success in overcoming
its threat. By working with and
through the community, the
Department seeks to engage the
people in a cooperative attack on this
critical problem.

VOLUME III-

MANAGEMENT
RULES AND
PROCEDURES

GENERAL MANAGEMENT
PROCEDURES

258. MONTHLY
QUALIFICATION.

All officers, line reserve officers, and
security officers shall qualify in the
prescribed manner as required in 1

31258.02. This qualification shall !

take place at a range under the
supervision of the Los Angeles
Police Department.

Ear Protectors. All Department

personnel who are on the firing line of

any Department range when live firing
is taking place shall wear ear protectors
provided by the Department, or
personal ear protectors of a type

approved by the Department Armorer.

258.01 FAILURE TO MEET
QUALIFICATION
REQUIREMENT.

When notified that an officer, reserve
officer, or security officer under his
command fails to meet the
qualification requirement and the
officer does not have a valid

SHOOTING

I

’
!

‘:

258.01 (CONTINUED)

exemption (3/258.02), the concerned

commanding officer shall initiate a

Personnel Complaint, Form 1.8 1.
Commanding officers shall be
responsible for the administration of
disciplinary action resulting from
failures to qualify and multiple use of
City ammunition.

258.02 EXEMPTIONS TO
REQUIREMENT TO QUALIFY.

Medical Exemptions. An officer or

security officer who is unable to
the qualification course because of an
injury or physical defect shall be
examined by a physician. The officer
or security officer shall obtain a
statement from the physician
describing the nature of the injury or
physical defect and an estimate of the
length of time for which the officer
or security officer should be

exempted from qualification
requirements. The statement shall be
reviewed and signed by the
concerned commanding officer.
After signing the request, the
concerned commanding officer shall
forward a copy of the statement to
the Medical Liaison Section and file
the original in the officer’s Division
Employee Folder, Form

Note: An officer or security officer
who is off duty for a period of time
comprising the last seven calendar

1.1.

fire

days of a qualification period due to
illness or injury shall be exempt from
the qualification requirements for
that qualification period.

A line reserve officer who is unable
to fire the qualification course
because of an injury or illness shall

submit an Employee’s Report, Form

15.7, in duplicate to his commanding
officer. The Form 15.7 shall include
a description of the injury and the
estimated length of the period of
incapacity.

Vacation Exemptions. When the

shooting qualification requirement
would present an undue hardship to
an officer, line reserve officer, or
security officer while on vacation, the
employee may submit an Employee’s
Report,

commanding officer at least one week
prior to his vacation requesting the
qualification requirement be waived.
The employee’s commanding officer

shall consider each request and

recommend approval if the request is
justified. When it appears that the
employee will have an opportunity to
fulfill the shooting qualification
requirement without undue hardship,
the Form 15.7 shall be returned to the
employee and the request denied.
Approved requests shall be retained

in the officer’s Division Employee

Folder. Form 1.1.

Form 15.7, to his

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258.02 (CONTINUED)
Thirty Year Exemptions. Officers

who have completed thirty or more
years of service shall be required to
meet the firearms qualifications only
once each calendar year at their
convenience. Exempt officers are
encouraged to qualify on a factory
ammunition qualification month.

Note: Exempt officers shall replace
their Department issued factory
ammunition every six months.

258.14 FIREARMS AND
EQUIPMENT USED FOR
QUALIFYING.

The firearm and equipment used by an
officer or reserve officer to fulfill his

qualification shooting requirements

shall be the same firearm and
equipment items he carries on-duty in
his current assignment.

Security officers shall use the
firearms provided for their use at the
range at which they qualify.

Exception: An on-duty officer, when

practicable, shall use a shotgun

assigned to his division when

qualifying on the shotgun range.

258.18 AMMUNITION USED
FOR QUALIFYING.

Ammunition used in qualification

and bonus qualification shooting

shall be either full factory load
service ammunition or reload
practice ammunition with ball or
wadcutter lead bullet. Explosive,
incendiary, Hi-Way Master, dum­dum, foreign-made, or any bullet
developing a velocity exceeding one
thousand feet per second shall not be
permitted. No allowance will be
made for misfires when reload
ammunition is used in a bonus
qualification shoot.

Exception: Officers, reserve officers,
and security officers shall qualify

twice yearly with factory ammunition
which is due to be replaced in

compliance with Section 3/611.20.

258.20

City paid ammunition may be used by
an officer for either the scheduled
qualification shoot during any period
or the bonus
those periods when he is scheduled to

shoot the target course. An officer,
reserve officer, or security officer
desiring to use City-paid ammunition
for qualification shall present his

identification card to the range officer

and shall sign his name and serial

number on a Qualification/Bonus

Shoot Record, Form 13.5.0 (green).

CITY-PAID AMMUNITION.

qualification

shoot during

258.20

Each officer, and each security
officer who has been employed as
such for one year or longer, shall be
entitled to thirty rounds of City-paid
ammunition per period for
qualification. An officer, or security
officer who has been employed for
one year or longer, failing to qualify
with City-paid ammunition shall
purchase the additional ammunition

necessary and shall sign his name
and
Qualification/Bonus Shoot Record,
Form 13.5.1 (buff) each time he
makes additional attempts to qualify.
An officer, or a security officer who
has been employed for one year or

longer, may submit only one green

card in any qualification period. He

may submit as many plain cards as

are necessary for him to qualify.

Security officers in their first year of
employment, and reserve officers,
will be permitted to use City-paid

ammunition for each attempt to

qualify until the qualification

requirements have been fulfilled.

Reserve

in their first year of employment,
shall sign their names and serial
numbers on a Qualification/Bonus
Shoot Record, Form 13.5.0 (green)
each time ammunition is issued for
qualification. However, a reserve

(CONTINUED)

serial number on a

officers,

and security

officers

officer, or a security officer in his
first year of employment, may be
required to undergo remedial
firearms training when he fails to
qualify after several attempts.

Exception: City-paid ammunition

shall not be furnished for the initial
attempt to qualify during those
periods when factory ammunition
must be used for qualification.
Officers failing to qualify with

factory ammunition shall be required

to purchase the ammunition needed

for subsequent attempts to qualify.

Reload ammunition may be used for

subsequent attempts to qualify.

258.24 MULTIPLE USE OF CITY

AMMUNITION.

When a commanding officer is

notified that an officer under his

command has used city-paid

ammunition more than once in any

qualification period without

authorization, he shall direct the

officer to report to the Accounting
Section, Fiscal Operations Division,
within fourteen (14) days for

payment of the appropriate fees. The

officer shall report to Parker Center,
on any weekday, between the hours
of 0830 and 1700, and
equal to the purchase price of the
extra ammunition used. The officer

shall obtain a receipt from the Police

. .

shall

pay a tee

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258.24 (CONTINUED)

Accountant, which he shall present to
his commanding officer as evidence
of compliance.

RECORDS AND REPORTS

405. CONFIDENTIAL NATURE
OF DEPARTMENT RECORDS,
REPORTS, AND
INFORMATION.

All official files, documents, records,
reports, and information held by the
Department or in the custody or
control of an employee of the

Department shall be regarded as
confidential. Employees shall not
disclose or permit the disclosure or
use of such files, documents, reports,
records, or information except as
required in the performance of their
official duties. The unauthorized use

of information obtained through
employment with the Los Angeles
Police Department can subject the

employee to possible disciplinary

action and/or criminal prosecution.
This includes information obtained
from manually stored records, as well
as information obtained form
automated records.

Concerned supervisors in units
having access to terminal points for
City-controlled computers containing
confidential information shall

complete an Operator Security
Statement, Form 1.58, for each
employee having access to such

terminals.

Note: The home address, telephone
number, and

information concerning Department
employees may be released to person
both within and outside the !
Department only with the approval of
the concerned watch commander or
officer-in-charge.

other personal

406. RELEASE OF POLICE
RECORD INFORMATION. ~

406.10 GUIDELINES AND

1

RESTRICTIONS FOR THE
RELEASE OF POLICE RECORD
INFORMATION.

Employees shall be guided by
Manual Section
releasing any information to the

public. The following guidelines

shall apply to all releases of police

record information.

l/440.40

when (

I

Guidelines. Information regarding !

the commission of a crime and the ~

resulting investigation may be made !

available to the public prior to the

making of an arrest, the issuance of
an arrest warrant, or the filing of
formal charges. The following

all

guidelines shall apply to
of information to the public.

releases

406.10 (CONTINUED)

*

Department personnel should not
release information if it is believed
that it would jeopardize the
investigation; jeopardize the
successful prosecution of a criminal
case; affect the outcome of a civil

case involving the City of Los

Angeles; or infringe upon the
person’s right to privacy.

Note: Facts concerning the crime

which could only be known by the

perpetrator, or which could be
utilized as polygraph keys should not
be released.

*

The home address of the victim of a

crime shall not be released to the public

unless the home address is also the

location of the crime. The name and
home address of a witness to a crime
shall not be released to the public.

Exception: The above information
may be released if given permission
to

do so by the respective victim or
witness, or if the investigating officer
believes that its release would assist
in

the investigation of the crime.

*

The name and address of a

confidential informant shall not be

released.

UNIFORMS AND PERSONAL

EQUIPMENT

601. POSSESSION OF
UNIFORMS AND PERSONAL
EQUIPMENT.

601.10 REQUIREMENTS.

All
a serviceable uniform and the
necessary equipment to perform
uniformed field duty. Officers
assigned to duty wherein a special
uniform is required shall also possess
the uniform required by their special
assignment. All uniforms and
equipment referred to in this Chapter
shall meet the specifications outlined
in the Department Uniform and
Personal Equipment Specifications.

Exception: Exemptions from this
Section may be granted by the Chief
of Police.

602. MAINTENANCE OF
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT.

602.10 AVAILABILITY FOR USE.

All uniforms and equipment shall be

maintained in a clean serviceable
condition and shall be ready at all
times for immediate use.

officers

shall possess at all times

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602.20 LEATHER EQUIPMENT
MAINTENANCE.

Leather equipment shall be kept dyed
and shined, and shall be replaced
when it is cracked or worn out.

605. PERSONAL APPEARANCE.

605.10 PERSONAL

APPEARANCE-GENERAL.

An employee shall be neat and clean
at all times while on-duty, unless the
nature of his assignment require
otherwise.

605.20 HAIR STANDARDS­GENERAL.

While on-duty, all employees shall
keep their hair neat, clean, and well-

groomed.

Exception: Authorization to deviate
from this requirement may be
granted by commanding officers of
employees in low visibility positions.

605.22 HAIR STANDARDS­UNIFORMED.
Male Employees.

On-duty uniformed
male employees shall keep their hair
properly trimmed. The hair shall be at
least moderately
below the

tapered,

shall not extend

top

of the shirt collar nor cover

any portion of the ear, and shall not

interfere with the proper wearing of the

Female Employees. On-duty
uniformed female employees
assigned to field duty shall arrange

their hair so that it does not extend

below the bottom edge of the collar,
nor interfere with the proper wearing
of the uniform hat. Hair shall be
arranged so as not to interfere with
vision in any way.

On-duty uniformed female employees

assigned to field duty shall not
arrange their hair in a ponytail

hairstyle.
Uniformed females who are not field

certified shall maintain their hair so
as to present a neat appearance
consistent with the type of duty
performed.

605.24 HAIR STANDARDS­SWORN NON-UNIFORMED
Male employees. On-duty sworn

non-uniform male employees shall
keep their hair properly trimmed at
all times. The hair shall be
moderately tapered and shall not
extend below the top of the shirt collar
nor cover any portion of the ear.

Female Employees.

On-duty sworn
non-uniform female employees shall
maintain their hair so as to present a
neat appearance consistent with their

job assignment.

605.24 (CONTINUED)

Exception: Employees in low
visibility assignments may deviate

from these standards with the

when prior exemption has been
granted by the Chief of Police,
certain officers may be exempted
form wearing the prescribed uniform.

approval of their commanding
officer.

605.70 ORNAMENTATION.

Uniformed employees shall not wear
any unauthorized ornamentation such

610. FIREARMS.

610.10 POSSESSION REQUIRED.

Every officer shall possess an

authorized firearm.

as earrings; necklaces; bracelets; or
large, conspicuous rings.

610.12 PRIMARY WEAPON.

A primary weapon is the Department

606. WEARING OF UNIFORM.

approved firearm which officers are

required to carry on-duty. Primary

606.10

WHO

UNIFORM.

SHALL WEAR

weapons shall be approved by the

Department Armorer.

All employees regardless of rank

shall wear the prescribed uniform
and personal equipment during their
tours of duty.

610.13 COMPACT
SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOLS

USED AS A PRIMARY
WEAPON.

606.20 EXEMPTIONS TO
WEARING UNIFORMS.

The following officers are exempted
from wearing the prescribed uniform

(3/606.10):

Officers that are assigned to non-

uniformed assignments, such as
detectives, staff personnel,
specialized unit members, etc., may
carry as their primary weapon a
Department approved compact

*

Chief of Police.

*

Directors.
* Bureau commanding officers.
*

Inspection staff.

* Plainclothes investigation

officers.

semiautomatic pistol while assigned to a
temporary uniformed assignment. The
concerned officers shall carry the
appropriate ammunition, magazines,
magazine pouch, and holster for

uniformed officers.
Special Exemptions. When the
wearing of a uniform is not practical

because of work conditions, and

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610.14 ADDITIONAL
WEAPONS/BACKUP WEAPONS.

Additional weapons/backup weapons
shall be approved by the Department
Armorer and carried concealed
(3/610.20).

610.25 MANUALLY COCKING
AND FIRING THE DOUBLE­ACTION SEMIAUTOMATIC
PISTOL.

Because of the potential for an accidental
discharge when the hammer of a double-

action semiautomatic pistol is manually

610.15 CITY-OWNED

REVOLVERS.

Officers who have been furnished a
City-owned revolver may carry that

cocked to the rear of the slide, the manual
cocking of such a pistol is prohibited. The
first round shall be fired in the double­action mode.

revolver while on-duty as their
primary weapon.

Note: Generally, the pistol should be
returned to double-action mode when

Note:
owned six-inch revolver may, at their
own expense, have the barrel cut to
four inches by the Department
Armorer. The Department Armorer
shall maintain sole responsibility for
any mechanical repair or alteration of
City-owned firearms, including

Officers

who possess a City-

the involved officer has determined

that the immediate necessity to fire
no longer exists (e.g., prior to a foot

pursuit or climbing a wall).

Accuracy and fire control are the

officer’s goals when confronted by
the need to stop a life-threatening

attack.

removal of the side plates or

modification of the original finish.

610.40 MAINTENANCE OF
FIREARMS.

610.17 PRIVATELY-OWNED
REVOLVERS.

On-duty officers may carry, as their

Firearms carried on-duty shall be
maintained in a clean, serviceable

condition.
primary weapon, a privately-owned
revolver that has been approved by
the Department Armorer and that
meets Department specifications for

a primary weapon.

610.50 UNIFORMED

OFFICERS-REQUIRED

FIREARMS.

Personnel on-duty, in uniform, shall

carry a four or six inch primary

weapon in the uniform holster

attached to the equipment belt.

610.50 (CONTINUED)

Exception: Uniformed personnel in
an

assignment that does not involve

physical contact with the public may

Note: Special duties may include,
but are not limited to, SWAT,
Detective Support Division, vice, and

narcotics.
carry a revolver that meets the
specifications of an additional
weapon, as their primary weapon,
with prior approval of the concerned
bureau commanding officer.

610.70 ADDITIONAL FIREARMS

CARRIED ON-DUTY.

An officer carrying an additional

firearm while on-duty shall ensure

that it is concealed and contained in

610.60

DETEC

TIVES- REQUIRED

FIREARMS

Personnel classified as case carrying
detectives shall carry, while on-duty,
an authorized four or six inch
primary weapon, concealed and in a
holster.

Exception: Revolvers with two inch
barrels and steel frames which were
purchased and approved by the

Department prior to November 21,

1967,

may be carried by plainclothes

field officers as a primary weapon.

such a manner that the firearm will

not fall out or become accessible to

unauthorized persons, and that it

conforms to the specifications set

forth in section l-113.2 of the

Uniform and Personal Equipment

Specifications Manual.

610.90 PROPER HOLSTERING

OF CONCEALED FIREARMS

CARRIED BY ON AND OFF-

DUTY PERSONNEL.

Every officer carrying a concealed

firearm shall carry the firearm in a

holster specifically designed for the

610.67 SPECIAL DUTY
ASSIGNMENTS- FIREARMS.

Officers assigned “Special Duties”
may carry firearms other than those
described as primary or additional
weapons as long as the firearms are

consistent with their particular

assignment and prior written
approval is obtained from their

commanding officer. Bureau

commanding officers shall have audit

responsibilities to ensure compliance.

firearm being carried. The holster

must be constructed so the firearm
may be drawn and reholstered
without difficulty. When the firearm
is carried on the person, the holster
used shall be designed to secure the
firearm in the holster and prevent the
firearm from being cocked. The
holstered firearm shall be securely
attached to the officer or may be
carried concealed in a container
under the officer’s immediate control.

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610.90 (CONTINUED)

Such a container may include, but is

not limited to, purses and briefcases.
The container must be capable of
being secured in such a manner that
the holstered firearm will not fall out
or become accessible to unauthorized
persons. The container shall allow
the officer immediate access to the
firearm.

Exception: The concerned commanding
officer may grant permission for

noncompliance when the nature of a

particular
considerations requires that a firearm be
carried in a container including, but not
limited
bags under the officer’s immediate
control. The container must
of being secured in such a manner that
the holstered
become accessible to unauthorized

persons.

duty assignment with tactical

to, purses, briefcases, or workout

be

capable

firearm

will not fall out or

Exception: Officers may possess
other than Department approved
ammunition while tiring at the Police
Academy range for recreational
purposes. Reload ammunition may
be used for qualification at
Department ranges.

Off-duty officers who carry a
concealed weapon pursuant to their

authorization to do so by virtue of
their employment as Los Angeles
police officers shall carry only

authorized ammunition in their
weapons.

611.20 REPLACEMENT OF
AMMUNITION. All ammunition

required by this Chapter shall be

replaced with new ammunition every
six months.

611.30 REQUIRED
AMMUNITION FOR PRIMARY
WEAPON-UNIFORMED

611. AMMUNITION.

OFFICERS.

Revolver. The service revolver shall

611.10 POSSESSION OF
AMMUNITION.

On-duty officers shall not possess in
their weapon, on their person, in
privately owned vehicles parked on
divisional parking lots, or elsewhere
in any Department facility, any
ammunition other than that which

has been approved by the Department

as authorized ammunition.

be
officers assigned to field duty. In
addition, uniformed officers in field
assignments shall carry a minimum
of 12 rounds in the cartridge case.

Semiautomatic Pistol. Uniformed

officers shall carry their primary
semiautomatic pistol (and magazine)

carried fully loaded by uniformed

611.30 (CONTINUED)

fully loaded at all times when
assigned to field duty. In addition,

uniformed officers in field
assignments shall carry as a
minimum for their primary
semiautomatic pistol two fully loaded
reserve magazines in the magazine
pouch.

Exception: Uniformed personnel

who carry a primary semiautomatic
pistol or an authorized additional

semiautomatic pistol as a primary

weapon in an assignment that does

not involve physical contact with the

public or does not require the

wearing of the Police Equipment Belt

shall carry as a minimum one fully

loaded magazine in a magazine
pouch worn on the belt or shoulder
holster strap.

611.40 REQUIRED
AMMUNITION FOR PRIMARY
WEAPON-PLAINCLOTHES
OFFICERS.
Revolver. Plainclothes

carry their revolver fully loaded at all
times. In addition, they shall carry a
minimum

ammunition in a cartridge carrier

worn on the belt or shoulder holster

strap.

of

six rounds of

officers

shall

Semiautomatic Pistol. Plainclothes

officers shall carry their primary
semiautomatic pistol (and magazine)
fully loaded at all times. In addition,
they shall carry as a minimum for
their primary semiautomatic pistol
one fully loaded magazine in a
magazine pouch worn on the belt or
shoulder holster strap.

Exception: At the discretion of their
commanding officer, undercover
officers
may be exempted form Department
Manual provisions pertaining to
handguns, ammunition, and related
equipment

and “Special Duties” officers

(3/610.67).

611.50 ADDITIONAL
AMMUNITION.

In addition to the required

ammunition carried on the person,

uniformed and plainclothes officers

shall be encouraged by their
supervisors to carry
ammunition. When worn on the
Police Equipment Belt, the
supplemental ammunition pouch/case
shall be worn immediately behind the
holster; when worn with an
additional handcuff case, the
supplemental ammunition pouch/case
shall be worn centered between the
handcuff cases. Additional
loaded magazines or cartridge cases
may also be carried concealed upon

extra

fully-

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611.50 (CONTINUED)

the officer. Officers are urged to
carry extra ammunition on their
persons when off-duty.

Department-issued ammunition not
carried on the person shall be
maintained in a personal locker or
other readily accessible location.

All

614. BASIC UNIFORM-POLICE
OFFICERS ELIGIBLE FOR
UNRESTRICTED FIELD DUTY.

Note: Officers shall wear the

614.20 CAP (HAT).

Patrol officers, while on-duty, shall
ensure that their uniform hat is
serviceable and available either at
their division of assignment or in
their assigned vehicle.

Exception: Officers assigned to

traffic divisions shall ensure that their
uniform hat is available in the
passenger compartment of their
assigned vehicle and shall wear their
hats when directing traffic.

The wearing of the uniform hat is
mandatory for all

* When an officer is working an
assigned footbeat.
* When an officer is working an

assignment in which the primary
function is crowd control (e.g.,
parades, Coliseum events, etc.).

officers:

Department-issued motorcycle
officer’s helmet when operating a
two- or three-wheel motorcycle.

614.40 TIE.

The tie worn with the uniform shirt

shall be a double windsor “reditied”
knot with a
allowing a “breakaway” feature when

worn.

Note: The office-in-charge of a
detail where a civil disturbance is in

progress, or where it may be
reasonably expected that one may

ensue, may instruct officers under his
command to remove their neckties:
however, their shirts shall remain
buttoned.

* At inspections, ceremonies,
funerals and other appropriate formal
events.
* As determined by the officer in

charge in those situations in which
immediate recognition is necessary
for officer safety.
* As determined by commanding
officers when circumstances are such
that the wearing of the hat is
appropriate.

bendover

metal clip

614.50 TROUSERS.

Note: Officers assigned to two-

wheeled motorcycle duty shall wear

the prescribed breeches in lieu of
trousers.

614.60 POLICE EQUIPMENT
BELT.

The Police Equipment Belt shall be
worn complete with the equipment
specified in 3/622.

614.70 BADGE.

When in uniform, all officers shall
wear the official badge currently

issued to them. The badge shall be
attached to the badge holder provided

on the outermost garment and shall

be clearly visible at all times.

614.80 IDENTIFICATION
CARDS.

When in uniform, all officers shall
have in their possession the
identification card currently issued to
them.

614.90

SHOES.

Note: Officers assigned to two-

wheeled motorcycle duty shall wear

the prescribed boots in lieu of shoes.

615. OPTIONAL UNIFORM­POLICE OFFICERS ELIGIBLE
FOR UNRESTRICTED FIELD
DUTY.

615.10 OPTIONAL UNIFORM
REQUIREMENTS.

The optional uniform shall consist of
the basic uniform with short sleeves,
an open convertible collar, and the tie
removed.

If an undershirt is worn under the

optional uniform shirt, the undershirt

shall be white and shall have a round

crew neck or V-neck collar.

Officers not wearing the optional
uniform shall wear the basic uniform
with long sleeves and a tie.

Although the optional uniform is
authorized, officers shall wear the
basic uniform, with long sleeves and
a tie, when the division commanding

officer deems it appropriate.

Note: When the wearing of an
optional uniform is authorized,
officers may wear a uniform
manufactured from the optional
summer-weight material.

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616. DRESS UNIFORM-

CAPTAINS AND ABOVE.

616.10 DRESS UNIFORM
REQUIREMENTS.

The dress uniform shall consist of the
following items:

* cap.
* Shirt.

* Tie.
* Trousers.
* coat.
* Shoes.
*

Socks.

*

Badge.

616.20 POSSESSION OF DRESS
UNIFORM.

Officers of the rank of Captain and
above shall possess a dress uniform

as

specified

in this section.

616.30 WEARING OF DRESS
UNIFORM.

Unless otherwise directed by the
Chief of Police, officers of the rank
of Captain and above, when
appearing in

uniform, shall wear the
dress uniform as specified in this
section or the basic uniform as
specified in

3/614.

I

617. AIR SUPPORT DIVISION
UNIFORM

-POLICE ~

OFFICERS.

617.10 AIR SUPPORT DIVISION
UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS. ,

The flying uniform for officers

assigned to Air Support Division ,

shall consist of:

* The khaki uniform, as described in ’
Sections lD3 and

lD4

of the

Uniform and Personal Equipment i
Specifications Manual, with Air
Support Division emblems, as (
described in Section

1D5.

Officers i

of the ranks of sergeant and above

shall wear the prescribed rank 1

insignia.

* Cap or, when airborne, helicopter

I

helmet.

* Regulation shoes.

617.10 (CONTINUED)

Officers shall wear the flying
uniform only when engaged in flying
duties, or when performing related
duties at the airport.

Exception: When directed by the

Commanding Officer, Air Support
Division, the basic uniform

(3/614.)
with Air Support Division emblems
shall be worn. The key chain
(3/626.20) and the tie clasp
(3/626.30)

shall be worn on these

occasions.

618. INDOORS UNIFORM­POLICE OFFICERS

618.10 OFFICE WEAR.

Officers engaged in uniformed work
indoors may be exempted by their
commanding officer from the
provisions of all or part of the
requirements of

3/614

and

3/621.

However, officers on such indoors

duty shall have the required
equipment available for immediate
use. Uniformed officers detailed to
station or office duty wherein the
Police Equipment Belt is not worn
shall wear the prescribed trousers
belt.

619. JUMPSUITS-POLICE
OFFICERS.

619.10 JUMPSUIT
REQUIREMENTS.

The approved jumpsuit is a navy
blue, two-piece field uniform,

consisting of a jacket and matching
pants.

jumpsuit are described in Section

Specifications for the

1-

131 of the Uniform and Personal

Equipment Specifications Manual.

619.20

JUMPSUITS-

AUTHORIZED USE.

Jumpsuits are authorized for use by
on-duty personnel assigned to the
following details:

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619.20 (CONTINUED)

* B-Wagon

620. FATIGUE UNIFORM­POLICE OFFICERS.

* Search Dog Detail

* Bomb

*

Diving Team

* Tactical Planning Section personnel
when engaged in a hazardous
material response or Mobile
Command Fleet operation
* Off-road Vehicle Enforcement
Team

Squad

620.10 FATIGUE UNIFORM

REQUIREMENTS.

The items named in this section shall
constitute the fatigue uniform. It
shall be worn, at the direction of the
commanding officer, when approved

by the concerned bureau commanding

officer, by those officers whose

principal duties make the wearing of

All other sworn personnel may

the service uniform impracticable.
purchase jumpsuits as optional
equipment, but may wear them only
under the following conditions:

Note: Specific exemptions from

wearing the official cap, shoes, and

socks may be made by the division

* During an unusual occurrence, with

the approval of the

field

commander;
or
* During a search or vehicle

commanding

621. FIELD EQUIPMENT­POLICE OFFICERS.

inspection, which may result in

soiled or damaged uniforms or

clothing, with the approval of a
supervisor.

621.10 REQUIRED

EQUIPMENT-UNIFORMED ,
OFFICERS.

In addition to the basic uniform i
Note: Jumpsuits shall be removed
and employees shall return to the
standard uniform or working attire

(3/614), officers engaged in

uniformed field duty shall carry the

following equipment:
immediately upon the termination of

the unusual occurrence or incident
that required the jumpsuit.

Baton. Officers using motorized ’

equipment while on-duty shall carry

their batons in a manner authorized /
by their commanding officer. The
carrying of the baton by officers

officers.

621.10

assigned to intersection

(CONTINUED)

traffic

control

shall be at the option of their

commanding officer.
Cord-cuff Restrainer. With the

exception

of motorcycle officers, the
cord-cuff restrainer shall be carried
on the key ring holder of the officer’s
police equipment belt (Sam

Browne
or Velcro type) or in the left sap
pocket of the uniform trouser, at the

officer’s option. Motorcycle officers
shall carry the cord-cuff restrainer in
a uniform pants pocket.

General Duty Helmets.

Uniformed
officers while assigned in vehicles
shall keep their general duty helmets
in their helmet bags and stored in the
vehicle’s trunk. All other uniformed
officers shall keep their helmets at

I

locations convenient to their
assignment. Officers shall store their
helmets in their station lockers when
off duty or on plainclothes
assignments.

I

Traffic Citation Books. Both

personal service and absentee citation
books shall be carried.

Flashlight. A flashlight shall be
carried during the hours of darkness.

Officer’s Field Notebook.
Pencil.
Street Guide Book.

Cal-box key.
Handcuff key.
Whistle.

621.20 OPTIONAL
EQUIPMENT-UNIFORMED

OFFICERS.
In

addition to the equipment required

(3/614

and

3/621.10)

the following
items may be carried as the
individual officer may desire:

* Disposable plastic handcuffs.
* Kubaton (sworn and civilian jail

personnel only).

* Leather billy (sap).

622. POLICE EQUIPMENT
BELT.

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622.05 AUTHORIZED POLICE
EQUIPMENT BELT.

Police Equipment Belt-Velcro
Type.

equipment belt shall remain the
authorized equipment belt of the
Department and shall be issued to
new sworn personnel.

The Velcro type police

Police Equipment Belt-Sam
Browne

use of the Sam Browne equipment
belt, of the type formerly authorized
by the Department, is optional and
may be worn in lieu of the Velcro
type equipment belt.

(With Buckle) Type. The

622.10 REQUIRED
EQUIPMENT-POLICE

EQUIPMENT BELT.

The items named in this section shall
be worn with the Police Equipment
Belt.

622.40 BATON HOLDER.

The baton holder shall be worn on
the belt in from of, and directly
adjacent to, the key holder. The
baton is carried in the baton holder

ring.

622.45 SIDE HANDLE BATON.

Uniformed officers shall carry the
24-inch side handle baton.

622.50 KEY HOLDER AND KEY
RING.

The key holder is
opposite the holster approximately
equidistant between the handcuff and
cartridge cases. A key ring shall be
carried on the key holder. A whistle,

call-box key, and handcuff key shall
be carried on the ring. In addition,
no more than two other keys may
carried on the key holder at the
option of the individual

worn

on the side

officer.

be

Required Equiptment - Uniformed Officers (621.10)

622.20 HOLSTER.

The holster shall be worn on the side
for which it was designed. The
official firearm shall be carried in the
holster.

622.30 CARTRIDGE CASE.

The cartridge case shall be worn on
the side opposite the holster and shall
be centered on the belt between the
belt buckle and the baton holder.
Reserve ammunition (3/611.30) shall
be carried in the cartridge case.

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Exception: Officers required to wear
a key chain (3/626.20) may carry the
whistle on the key chain.

622.55 CHEMICAL IRRITANT
CONTROL DEVICE.

Uniformed field personnel shall carry
the device in its holster on the
equipment belt between the /
ammunition case and the baton
holder.

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622.60 HANDCUFF CASE.

The handcuff case shall be worn
centered over the hip pocket on the

side opposite the holster. Regulation
handcuffs shall be carried in the
handcuff case.

622.70 ADDITIONAL
HANDCUFF CASE.

An additional handcuff case may be
worn by uniformed officers and shall

be worn centered over the hip pocket

on the same side as the holster.

622.80 TROUSERS BELT.

The prescribed trousers belt shall be
worn under the Police Equipment
Belt. It shall be adjusted so that no
part other than the top edge is visible.

624. ADDITIONAL

CLOTHING-

POLICE OFFICERS ELIGIBLE
FOR UNRESTRICTED FIELD

DUTY.

624.10 JACKET.

The nylon waist-length field jacket,
as described in Section
Uniform and Personal Equipment
Specifications Manual shall be worn
by uniformed officers when seasonal
conditions require. No other jacket
may be worn.

lA2

of the

When officers choose to wear the

field jacket, it shall be worn with
either the long-sleeve shirt or
optional short-sleeve shirt and tie.

Note: Officers wearing the optional
short-sleeve shirt with the field jacket
shall wear the tie with the uniform

field jacket.

Exception: Officers assigned to
wheel motorcycle duty are authorized
to wear the:

* Leather field jacket.

two-

624.20 MOUNTED HORSE
DETAlL UNIFORM.

The mounted horse detail uniform
has been approved for officers
assigned to the Mounted Unit.
Metropolitan Division. The uniform
shall meet the specifications as

prescribed in the Department

Uniform and Personal Equipment

Specifications Manual.

624.30 DEPARTMENT BEACH
DETAIL/BICYCLE PATROL ’
UNIFORM.

The

Beach Detail/Bicycle Patrol

uniform has been approved for officers
assigned to the Beach Detail or to I

Bicycle Patrol. The uniform shall
meet the specifications as prescribed in
the Department Uniform and Personal
Equipment Specifications Manual.

~

626.

UNIFORM

ACCESSORIES-POLICE
OFFICERS ELIGIBLE FOR
UNRESTRICTED FIELD DUTY.

626.10

A scarf
field jacket or the Air Support

Division flying

626.20

Uniformed officers whose primary

duties are traffic related shall wear

the prescribed key chain suspended
from the right shoulder strap. Other
officers assigned to uniformed duty
shall not wear the key chain.

SCARF.

may be worn only with the

uniform.

KEY CHAIN.

626.30 TIE BAR.

All uniformed officers shall wear the
prescribed tie bar. The tie bar shall
be worn horizontally and level with
the bottom points of the shirt pocket
flaps.

Note: The Safe Riding Tie Bar may
be worn by authorized officers
assigned to two-wheel motorcycle
duty.

627. PLAINCLOTHES
EQUIPMENT-POLICE
OFFICERS.

627.10 RE

QUIRED

EQUIPMENT-PLAINCLOTHES
DUTY.

Officers,
shall carry the following equipment:

* Ammunition.
* Department badge.
* Department identification card.
* Handcuffs and key.
* Memorandum book.
* Pencil.
* Revolver.

Exception: Officers detailed to
undercover duty wherein it is
necessary to conceal their identity as
officers may be excused by their
commanding officers from the
provisions of all or part of this

section.

while on plainclothes

duty,

637. WEARING OF
DEPARTMENT DECORATIONS.

637.10 WEARING

DECORATIONS.

General.

encouraged to wear authorized
medals or ribbons on the uniform
shirt, dress coat, or uniform coat
(female employees).

Note: Medals or ribbons shall not be
worn on the nylon waist-length field

jacket.

Employees shall be

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631.20 AUTHORIZED MEDALS.

Medals authorized for wear with the
Department uniform in descending
order of precedence are:

* Medal of Valor.
* Police Distinguished Service

Medal.

* Police Commission Unit Citation.

* Police Medal.
* Police Meritorious Service Medal.
* Police Meritorious Unit Citation.
* Police Star.
* Police Commission Distinguished

Service Medal.
* Human relations Medal.
* Revolver Qualification Medal.

637.30 MEDALS-WHER

E

WORN.
Single. If only one medal is to be

worn,

it shall be

worn

on the extreme

right of the top seam of the left breast

pocket flap.

Multiple.

* Uniform Shirt. If two or more
medals are to be worn, they shall be
worn on the top seam of the left

breast pocket flap beginning at the
extreme right of the flap and
extending to the left in descending
order of precedence.

* Coat. Authorized medals may

worn

on the dress coat or the uniform

be

coat (female employees). When

worn, they shall be affixed in a
horizontal line beneath the badge in
the same relative position as

when

worn on the uniform shirt.

Exception: The Medal of Valor shall
be suspended by the neck sash.

637.40 DEPARTMENT RIBBONS.

Ribbons representing authorized

worn

Department medals may be
the uniform in lieu of the respective
medals.

on

637.40

They

(CONTINUED)

shall be centered above the left

breast pocket below the badge
extending toward the wearer’s left in
descending order of precedence with
the

bottom row on the seam.
(Ribbons worn on the dress coat and
uniform coat shall be worn directly
below the badge.)

Three ribbons shall constitute a
complete row. Precedence of rows
shall be top to bottom. Additional
rows shall also extend toward the
wearer’s left in descending order of
precedence. An incomplete row shall
be the top row with its ribbons
centered on the complete row(s)
beneath.

When an employee receives the same
award more than once, the second
and subsequent awards shall be

indicated by a bronze oakleaf cluster

worn on the original ribbon. A silver

worn

oakleaf cluster will be
five

bronze clusters.

in lieu of

Note: When Departmental ribbons
are

worn

in conjunction with military
ribbons and/or ribbons awarded by
outside governmental agencies, the
order of precedence is:

* United States Government awards.
* Foreign Government awards.
* State Government awards.

* Department awards.

*

Other City Department awards.

Ribbons must also be worn in the
correct

order of precedence

established by the awarding agency.

If necessary to provide sufficient

space for ribbons, the badge may be
adjusted upwards a maximum

distance equal to the width of two

rows of ribbons.

637.50 MEDAL OF VALOR
BUTTON.

Medal of Valor recipients may wear
the Medal of Valor button in lieu of
the medal or ribbon.

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

755. EMPLOYEE SERVICE PINS.

Service Pin Awards shall be
presented to employees who have
completed prescribed increments of

service. The Service Pin Awards

shall be presented as follows:

Years of

Service Presented By

10 Years Employee’s commanding officer.

Years

15
20 Years Assistant Chief.
25 Years Chief of Police.
30 Years

When a representative of the Board
of Police Commissioners or the
Chief of Police presents a Service
Pin
commanding officer, the assistant

Bureau commanding officer.

A representative of the Board of
Police Commissioners

Award,

the concerned

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4B-

(l/4 INCH BELOW SHOULDER EMBLEM).

SILVER

EXPLOSlVES ORDNANCE AND

DEMOLITIONS DIVISION, INSIGNIA

AIR SUPPORT

ASSIGNMENT EMBLEMS

1

’

755. (CONTINUED)

bureau commanding officer, and
bureau commanding

designees, shall attend the

officer,

or their

presentation.

by the employee’s

officer in the name of the Department

at an appropriate presentation.

Major Commendations.

756. COMMENDATIONS.

The Department will award

appropriate commendations to
employees and on-duty reserve
officers

deserving official recognition. A

commendation may be awarded

posthumously.

who perform service or acts

Outstanding performance of duty or
an act involving commendatory
bravery shall be recognized through a

major commendation, which includes

the conferring of a Departmental
medal or unit citation.

756.05 INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
FOR BRAVERY.

Minor Commendations. A minor
commendatory act (e.g., an employee’s

superior handling of a difficult

situation, or alertness resulting in the

apprehension of a suspect) may be

recognized through the completion of

an Incident Report, Form 1.27, or an

Employee’s Report, Form 15.7.

Bureau Commendation. The

Bureau commendation may be

conferred upon employees or

organizational units which perform

outstanding service or valor similar
to, but to a lesser degree than
required for either a Police Star,

Police Meritorious Service Medal, or

Police Meritorious Unit Citation.

The Bureau Commendation consists

of a Commendation Report, Form

1.18, signed by the concerned bureau

commanding officer. It is awarded

The conferring of an award for
bravery shall be in recognition of a
single action performed by a
Department employee. Several
commendatory incidents of bravery,
each being worthy of an award, will
not qualify the employee for a higher

award.

Medal

is the Department’s highest award
and may be awarded to officers who

distinguish
conspicuous bravery or heroism
above and beyond the normal
demands of police service.

To be awarded the Medal of Valor, an
officer shall have performed an act
displaying extreme courage while
consciously facing imminent peril.

bureau

commanding

of Valor. The Medal of Valor

themselves by

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756.05 (CONTINUED)

It is awarded by the Board of Police
Commissioners and is presented by
the Chief of Police in the name of the
Department at the annual Medal of

Valor awards ceremony. The award
consists of a medal, ribbon, and
citation.

Police Medal. The Police Medal

may be awarded to employees who
distinguish themselves by bravery or
heroism above and beyond the
normal demands of duty, but to a
lesser degree than required for the

Medal of Valor.

It is awarded by the Chief of Police
in the name of the Department and

presented by the Chief, or the Chief’s

designee, at an appropriate ceremony.
The award consists of a medal and
ribbon.

Police Star. The Police Star may be

awarded to:

*

Employees who distinguish
themselves by bravery or heroism
above and beyond the normal
demands of duty, but to a lesser
degree than required for the Police
Medal.
* Employees who distinguish

themselves by performing in stressful
situations with exceptional tactics
and/or judgment.

It is awarded by the Commendations
Board in the name of the Department
and presented by an Assistant Chief
at an appropriate ceremony. The
award consists of a medal and ribbon.

756.10 INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
FOR SERVICE.

Individual awards for service are
based on exceptional performance of
duty, clearly above that normally
expected, which has contributed
materially to the success of a major
project or field operation. Long and
faithful service is not considered for

purposes of such an award.

Police Distinguished Service
Medal. The Police Distinguished

Service Medal is the Department’s

highest award for service and may be

awarded
distinguish themselves by performing
exceptional service in a duty of great

responsibility or

importance to law enforcement.

The Police Distinguished Service
Medal is awarded by the Board of
Police Commissioners in the name of
the Department and presented by the
President of the Board, or the

President’s designee, at an
appropriate ceremony. The award
consists of a medal, ribbon, and
citation.

to employees who

of critical

756.10

(CONTINUED)

police Meritorious Service Medal.

The Police Meritorious Service

Medal may be awarded to employees
who

perform meritorious service

similar to, but to a lesser degree than

required for, the Police Distinguished

Service Medal.

lt is awarded by the Chief of Police
in the name of the Department and
presented by the Chief, or the Chief’s
designee, at an appropriate ceremony.
The award consists of a medal and
ribbon.

Police Commission Distinguished
Service Medal.

commission Distinguished Service
Medal may be awarded to citizens
and employees of other City
departments who distinguish themselves
by performing exceptional service to this
Department or by performing in a
stressful emergency situation with
good judgment and bravery.
Department employees
distinguish themselves by performing
exceptional service to this
Department may be awarded this

medal.

The Commission Distinguished
Service Award is awarded by the
Board of Police Commissioners in
the name of the Department and

represented by the President of the

The Police

who

Board, or the President’s designee, at
an appropriate ceremony. The award
consists of a medal, ribbon, and
citation.

Note: This award is not to be
awarded to Department employees

for acts of valor or bravery since

there are existing medals and awards
which apply to these circumstances.

Human Relations Medal. The

Human Relations Medal was
established to appropriately
recognize and award Department
employees who have in their day-to-

day
compassion and have gone above and

beyond the call of duty in their
response to fellow human beings.
The award is presented by the Chief

of Police and is primarily intended
for on-duty actions.

756.25 SPECIAL CATEGORY­THE LIBERTY AWARD.

The Liberty Award is awarded to a

police service dog (K9) that has been
killed or seriously injured while
engaged in police duties.

The incident shall be recorded on a
Commendation Report, Form 1.18,
with the canine’s name and serial
number placed in the “name” box.

At the bottom of the Commendation

activities shown great

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756.25 (CONTINUED)

Report, the words “request for
Liberty Award” shall be printed or
typed. The report shall be submitted
according to established procedures

for individual awards.

The award, consisting of a medal
mounted in a “shadow box,” shall be
displayed at the canine’s division of
assignment.

minutes. The pulse rate shall be
recorded immediately before and
after administration of the test. The

post-exercise pulse rate reflects the

individual’s exercise tolerance.

Note: This test shall be the first
administered, as its satisfactory
completion is a prerequisite to taking
the other tests.

Muscular Strength and Endurance

770. PHYSICAL FITNESS AND
PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTS.

770.05 PHYSICAL FITNESS
TESTS.

The following tests are designed to
measure the ability of the body to
respond to work and stress by
measuring cardiovascular tolerance,
muscular strength, endurance, and
flexibility. The subject shall be

advised not to smoke, eat, drink, or
engage in strenuous physical activity
for one hour prior to taking the test.

During the tests, the subject should

do his best without overextending
himself.

Kasch Pulse Recovery Test. This

test is designed to broadly determine,
through the application of cardiovascular
stress, an individual’s exercise tolerance.

The test consists of stepping up and
down on a 12-inch step bench at the rate
of 24 cycles per minute for three

Tests. These tests are designed to

measure abdominal and upper-body
strength. They consist of doing as
many bent-knee sit-ups, with hands
clasped behind the head, as possible
in two minutes, and as many

uninterrupted push-ups as possible.

Flexibility Tests. These tests are

designed to measure the body’s
forward and backward flexibility.

The trunk extension consists of lying
face down with hands clasped behind
the head, and raising the upper torso

as high as possible for 20 repetitions.
The toe touch consists of standing

straight, slowly bending over at the

waist, and extending the fingers
toward the toes one time.

776. LOYALTY OATH.

Every employee of the Department
shall take the Loyalty Oath required
by State law and municipal

776. (CONTINUED)

ordinance. No compensation may be
paid to any employee who does not
conform with the provisions of the

Loyalty Oath Law.

776.20 RESPONSIBILITY FOR
ADMINISTERING LOYALTY
OATH.

The Commanding
Division, shall administer, or cause to
be administered, to all personnel
employed by the Department
subsequent to October 3, 1950, the
Loyalty Oath required by State law.
1f

necessary to assist in discharging
this responsibility, the Commanding
Officer, Personnel Division, may
direct certain other employees of the
Department to appear before the City
Clerk for deputization in connection
with the administration of the

Loyalty Oath.
deputized may be directed by the
Commanding Officer, Personnel

Division, to administer the Loyalty

Oath.

776.30

DEPUTIZATION-

Officer,

Personnel

Employees so

LOYALTY OATH.

The Commanding Officer, Personnel

Division, and other employees

designated by him to administer the

Loyalty Oath, shall appear before the

City Clerk of Los Angeles for the

purpose of deputization to administer

the Loyalty Oath. The deputization

shall be in effect until the termination
of the employee or until the Chief of
Police informs the City Clerk that the
employee is no longer to administer
such oath.

776.40 PROCEDURE FOR
ADMINISTERING LOYALTY
OATH.

The Loyalty Oath shall be taken,
executed, and signed before a person
authorized by law to administer
oaths. The actual procedure is at the
discretion of the person administering
the oath. He may administer the oath
to an individual employee or to a

group of employees in a formal
manner.

The employee shall affix his
signature to the oath in the presence
of the person administering the oath,
and the date that the employee takes
and subscribes to the oath shall then
be entered on the oath.

797. DEATHS OF DEPARTMENT
EMPLOYEES.

797.30 RELEASE OF
IDENTIFICATION OF A DEAD
OR CRITICALLY INJURED
OFFICER.

When an officer is killed or critically
injured as a result of his official
duties, his identification shall not be

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released to any person outside of the
Department. All inquiries from the
news media or other interested
parties shall be referred to the
officer’s commanding officer. The
concerned commanding officer shall
be responsible for determining,
subsequent to notification of the
officer’s next of kin, when the
officer’s identification shall be

released.

797.40 DEATH OF

DEPARTMENT

EMPLOYEE­NOTIFICATION TO NEXT OF
KIN.

Notification to the next of kin or
other concerned person if a
Department employee dies on-duty
shall be made as follows:

Responsibility of Notification. The

commanding officer of the deceased
employee shall cause the necessary

notification to the next of kin.

Notification to be Made in Person.

A death notification by an employee
of the Department shall be made in
person unless physical conditions
make it impracticable. Within Other
Area. If necessary, death notification

information may be transmitted by

telephone or teletype to the

uniformed division in the Area
nearest the residence of the person to

be notified; a supervisor of that
division shall then arrange for
personal notification to be made.

797.60 ANNOUNCEMENT OF
DEATH OF EMPLOYEE TO
DEPARTMENT.

A teletype broadcast concerning the

death of a Department employee

shall be made except when there has
been a considerable lapse of time
between the death and the
notification to the Department. The
teletype shall be prepared by the
Officer-in-Charge, Medical Liaison
Section, Personnel Division. During
the hours that the Medical Liaison
Section is closed, the Commanding j
Officer, Detective Headquarters

Division, shall prepare the teletype.
The teletype shall contain such

information as the commanding i
officer believes to be appropriate.

Death of Officer in Line of Duty.

When an officer is killed in the line i

of duty, or dies as the direct result of
injuries incurred while in the ,

performance of his official duties, the
teletype broadcasts shall notify
concerned personnel that the ’
National Flag and all other flags ’
flown at Department facilities shall ~
be flown at half-staff.

VOLUME

LINE

COMMUNICATIONS

105.

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM.

105.20

DEPARTMENT RADIO
FREQUENCY.

Communications Division shall monitor
Department radio frequencies and shall
publish a quarterly report on radio

frequency abuse. Specific violations shall
be brought to the attention of concerned
commanding officers.

Note:

Detective Headquarters Division,

shall

frequencies and shall report any

frequency abuse to the commanding

Officer, Communications Division.

PROCEDURES

DEPARTMENT

MONITORING

Headquarters Section,

also

monitor

IV-

tactical

61: Anti-Terrorist Division

*Office of Administrative

1H:
2H:
3H:
4H:
5H:
6H:

7H:

8H:

9H:

110. RADIO UNIT
DESIGNATIONS.

110.20 NON-GEOGRAPHIC

DIVISION UNIT DESIGNATIONS.

Division commanding officer units

shall be identified by the word
“Commander” followed by the
number and/or letter(s) of the
respective division:

*Office

of the Chief of Police

Services

Jail Division

Scientific Investigation Division
Information Resources Division
Motor Transport Division

Division

Division

1OH:

11H:

12H:

13H:

14H:

15H:

16H:

17H:

Personnel
Planning and Research Division

Employee Opportunity and

Development Division

Fiscal Operations Division
Property
Communications Division

Police Facilities Construction
Group

Records and Identification
Division
Supply Division
Training Division
Behavioral Services
Litigation Processing Section
Emergency Command Control

Communications System
Division

*Office of Special Services

2Y:
4Y:

6Y:
7Y:

8Y: Narcotics Group

9Y:

10Y:
12Y:

Internal Affairs Division
Organized Crime Intelligence
Division
Administrative Vice Division
Narcotics Group

Narcotics Group
Labor Relations Division

Drug Abuse

Education Division

Resistance

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*Office of Operations

*Assistant to the Director

1D:
lP:

Traffic Coordination Section
Evaluation and Administration

Section

*Headquarters Bureau, Detective
Services Group

1K: Detective Headquarters

Division

2K: Burglary-Auto Theft Division

3K: Bunco-Forgery Division
4K: Robbery-Homicide Division
5K: Detective Support Division
8K: Juvenile Division

*Headquarters Bureau, Uniformed

Services Group

2D: Air Support Division
3D: Tactical Planning Section
R: Metropolitan Division

*Police Commission

1N:

Commission Investigation

Division

110.30 GEOGRAPHIC
COMMANDING OFFICER

DESIGNATIONS.

Area commanding officers shall be
identified by the word “Commander”
followed by the number of the
respective area.

Example: Commander 13 (Newton
Street).

Divisions Within Geographic Areas.

Commanding Officers of divisions
within geographic Areas shall

be
identified by the word “Commander’,
followed by the number of the Area

and the letter “A” or “B.” “A” shall
indicate Patrol Division Commanding
Officer, and “B” shall indicate the
Detective Division Commanding
Officer.

Traffic Divisions. Line traffic
division commanding officer units
shall be identified by the word
“Commander” followed by the

number and/or letters of their
respective division of assignment:

24T:

Central Traffic Division

*

25T:

*
*
*

110.40 FIELD UNIT

South Traffic Division

34T:

West Traffic Division

35T:

Valley Traffic Division

DESIGNATIONS.

Unit designations shall be stated by
all units at the beginning of each
transmission:

* Patrol Unit Designations. Patrol
units shall be identified by the
number of the geographic area of
assignment, the applicable service
letter

(4/l

10.50),

and a unit number
corresponding to one of the
numbered reporting districts in their
assigned areas.

llo.40 (CONTINUED)

*

Traffic

Unit Designations. Traffic

units shall be identified by the
number of the geographic area of
assignment, the applicable service
letter (4/l 10.50). and unit numbers

assigned

beginning with the number

*

Non-geographic Division Unit
Designations. Non-geographic
division units shall be identified by
the number and/or letter of the
division

numbers assigned in consecutive
order beginning with the number
* Watch Commanders. Watch
commanders shall be assigned the
unit number “10.”

*

Community Relations Officer. The

Area community relations officer

shall be assigned the unit number

"80."

*

Air Support Unit Designations.

Regular air flights shall be
designated by the word “Air,”
followed by the corresponding area
number to which the flight is
primarily committed (e.g., Air 3

would be assigned to an air flight

with primary commitment in

Southwest Area).

Special air flights will be designated

“Air 20” through “Air 100” by the

Commanding Officer, Air Support

Division.

in consecutive order

“1.”

(4/110.20)

and the unit

“1.”

Note: The Air Support Division

station wagon, when assigned to a

command post, shall be designated

“2D 100:

* Metropolitan Division Units.
Metropolitan Division units shall be
identified by the letter “R” and unit

numbers assigned in consecutive
order beginning with the number

*

Base Stations. Base stations shall

“1.”

be identified by the number of the
division or Area, the applicable

service letter

(4/l

10.50), a team
number, if applicable, and the unit
number “90.”

Exception: Pacific Area’s airport
substation shall be known as “Airport
Base.”

* Portable Radio Unit Designations.
Officers using portable radio
equipment shall use a designation
consistent with their division of
assignment unless other designations
are authorized by the commanding
officer.

*

Supervisors. Supervisors, other
than those assigned to a geographic
Area, shall be assigned a unit number
ending in “zero” exclusive of the
numbers

"10"

and “90.”

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* Watch Supervisor.

Watch

supervisory units shall be identified
by the number of the respective Area,

I

the letter “L,” and a two digit number
ending in “zero.” The number

“10’

shall designate the Watch
Commander.
* Detective Units. Detective units
shall be identified by the number of
the Area/division, the letter “W,” and
the unit’s numerical designation.
Detective Division supervisory units
shall be assigned numbers ending in
“zero.”

110.50 SERVICE lDENTIFICATION
LETTERS.

The following letters indicate the

type of service to which mobile radio

units are assigned:
*A:

*Air:

Basic Car Plan unit.

Air patrol unit.

*B: Two-Man patrol wagon.

*CRASH: Unit assigned to a bureau

Community Resources Against Street
Hoodlums Section.
*D:

Headquarters Uniformed Services Group

(except Metropolitan Division).
*E:

unit.

*F:
*FB: Uniformed foot-beat patrol.
*H:

Office of Administrative Services.

*J: Juvenile unit.

Unit assigned within

Traffic enforcement automobile

Special unit.

Unit assigned to a division in the

*JW:

unit.
*K:
Headquarters Detective Services Group
Valley Forgery Section, Operations-

Valley Bureau.
*L:

shall use the letter “L” following the
regular service letter when applicable.)
Also used as geographic field services
division base station designation.
*M:
unit.

*N:
Investigation Division.
*OP:

during special event or unusual occurrence.

*Q:

occurrence unit.

Note: The activation of the designation
and the coordination of assigning specific
identification numbers shall be through
Communications Division.

*R: Metropolitan Division unit.
*RA:
ambulance unit.
*S:
*T:
*U:
*V: Area vice unit.
*W:
*X: Additional patrol unit in an

assignment district.

*Y:

the Office of Special Services.

*Z: Geographic uniformed unit

assigned to a special detail.

Juvenile female police officer

Unit assigned to a division in

or

One-man unit.

Traffic enforcement motorcycle

Unit assigned to Commission

Observation post assignment

Special event or

Fire Department rescue

Three-wheel motorcycle unit.
Accident investigation unit.

Report-taking unit.

Geographic detective unit.

A unit assigned to a division in

("X"

or "T" units

unusual

110.60

MOBILE COMMAND

FLEET UNIT DESIGNATIONS.

The

mobile command fleet shall be

identified as follows:

Mobile One:

Command

post

truck.
Mobile Two:
Mobile Three:

Logistics vehicle.
Communications

unit.
Mobile Four:

Personnel and field
transportation office.
Mobile Five:

Has generator for
electrical power and a trailer to serve
as

the command point at the field
command post location.
Mobile Seven: Tactical operations
center.
Sound One:

Truck with

high-

volume public address system.

Sound Two:
Light One:

Same as Sound 1.
High-intensity

illumination truck.

Light Two:

Mobile Canteen:

Same as Light 1.

Used to prepare
and serve food to officers and the command

por

110.70 COMMAND POST
DESIGNATIONS.
Emergency Control Center Division.

The Emergency Control Center
Division, or any other location or

facility activated for overall

Department control during an

emergency, shall be identified as

Field Command Post. A field
command post shall be identified as
“Command Post.” If more than one
post is needed, the numerical
designations shall be established by

“Department Command.”

120. RADIO TERMINOLOGY,
CODES, AND CRIME
BROADCASTS.

120.20 USE OF RADIO CALL
LETTERS.
By All Radio Operators. Radio

operators shall not call either a fixed

station or a mobile unit by its call

letters. The unit designation shall be
used when addressing a

fixed

station.

By Controls. All controls shall
broadcast the station call letters once

each fifteen minutes. They need not
do so at the end of each transmission.

By Mobile Units.

At the conclusion
of each complete exchange of
transmission between a control and a
mobile unit, the entire station

identification, “KJC-625,” shall be

announced by a mobile unit.

Department Command.

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120.30 APCO CODE WORD

LIST.

The following code words shall be
used, when applicable, in local radio
transmissions:

A Adam
0 ocean

B Boy
P Paul
C Charles
Q Queen
D David
R Robert
E Edward
s Sam

F Frank
T Tom
N

Nora

H Henry

V Victor

I Ida
W William
J

John
X X-ray
K King
Y Young
L Lincoln

Z Zebra
M Mary

G

George

U Union

120.40 RADIO CODES AND

PROCEDURES.

The following codes and phrases
shall be used, when applicable, in

local radio transmissions:

* Officer Needs Help.

emergency call shall be broadcast
when immediate aid is required by an

officer. The officer requesting shall
include the location followed, if

possible, by the unit identification

and all other pertinent information.

This

A specific unit shall be dispatched
“Code Three” and other available
units in the vicinity shall respond

“Code Two.” An “Officer Needs
Help” call shall not be broadcast
when “assistance” only is needed.
The Department will provide
assistance and respond to “Officer
Needs Help” calls within the City
when requested by the CHP. The
senior officer of the agency

requesting emergency assistance

shall be in charge of the incident

unless the incident involves a
situation which is the responsibility
of the other agency, in which case the
senior officer of the responsible
agency will be in charge.

* Officer Needs Assistance. This call

shall be broadcast when additional
aid is required by an officer. The
officer requesting shall include the !

location, followed by the unit
identification and all other pertinent
information, including the reason for
request. A specific unit shall be ,
dispatched “Code Two” and other
available units in the vicinity shall
respond when practicable.

* Fireman Needs Help. This
emergency call shall be broadcast
when immediate police assistance is

required because firemen are being
attacked, attack is imminent, or other
emergency exists. A specific unit

120.40 (CONTINUED)

shall be dispatched “Code Three”
and other available units in the
vicinity shall respond “Code TWO.”
*

Fireman Needs Assistance. This
call shall be broadcast when police
assistance
crowd
specific unit shall be dispatched
“Code Two” and other available units
in the vicinity shall respond when
practicable.

*

Back-up Unit Request. This call
shall be broadcast when an additional
unit is required by an officer. The
officer requesting shall include the
location, followed by the unit

identification and all other pertinent
information. Only the specific unit
dispatched shall respond. The

request shall be canceled when, prior
to the arrival of the assigned back-up

unit, it is determined that an

additional unit will not be needed.

* “Pursuit” Procedure. A unit
announcing a “Pursuit” shall begin

the message by stating that the unit is

in “Pursuit” and giving the location

followed, if possible, by the unit

identification, description of pursued

vehicle, and/or suspects, direction

taken, and reason for pursuit. The

pursuing unit shall give frequent and

comprehensive progress reports as

conditions permit. Any unit having

information regarding the “Pursuit”

may transmit. Communications

is required due to hostile

action or other incident. A

Division will broadcast advisory
information concerning pursuits by
the CHP within the City. Department
personnel shall not become involved
in CHP pursuits on the freeways
unless for serious felonies committed
within the City of Los Angeles.
* Code One. When the control
operator fails to receive an
acknowledgment of a communication,
a “Code One” shall be given. The unit
to which a “Code One” is directed

shall acknowledge immediately upon

hearing a “Code One.”

* Code Two.

A radio call
accompanied by a “Code Two”
designation is an urgent call and shall
be answered immediately. The red

light and siren shall not be
all traffic laws shall

used, and

be observed.

Officers responding to a “Code Two”
radio call shall only be interrupted to
perform police work of major
importance or to respond to a higher
priority radio call when so directed

by a Communications Division

operator or Department supervisor.

Note: The determination to interrupt

an officer's response to a Code Two
call should be based upon the
comparative urgency and the risk to

life and property of the assigned call

and the intervening incident.

(l/516.20)

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Officers shall notify and request the
Communications Division operator to
immediately reassign their Code Two
call when circumstances cause them
to be interrupted from responding to
the call.
* Code Three. A radio call
accompanied by a “Code Three”
designation is an emergency call. It
shall be answered immediately, but in

a manner which will enable the unit
to reach the scene as quickly as
possible with safety. The red light

and siren shall be used whenever it is
necessary to disregard provisions of
Division 11 of the Vehicle Code,

“Rules of the Road.”

Any call may justify a “Code Three”
if any of the following elements are
present:

*

A serious

* The preservation of life.

* A crime of violence in progress.
* The prevention of a crime of

violence.

* An immediate pursuit.

*A unit at the scene requests

another unit “Code Three.”
The final decision for the use of

“Code Three,” other than in response
to a directed radio call, shall be made
by the vehicle operator.

public hazard.

An officer shall immediately
broadcast his intention to proceed

“Code Three” when the decision is
based on other than a directed police
radio call. The “Code Three”
broadcast shall include the nature and
location of the activity and, when
known, the starting point, route of
travel, and destination.

When the “Code Three” has been
terminated, the officer shall notify
Communications Division as soon as
practicable.

When more than one unit is “Code
Three” in the same general area, they
shall be notified by Communications
Division that other units are “Code
Three” in the vicinity.

* Code Four. When additional
assistance is not needed at the scene
of an “All Units” call, a “Code Four,”
followed by the location of the call,
shall be broadcast. Radio units

which are not assigned to the call and
which are not at the scene shall
return to their assigned patrol area
when a “Code Four” is broadcast.
* Code Four Adam. When additional
assistance is not needed at the scene
of an “All Units” call but the suspect ~
is still in the vicinity, a “code Four
Adam,” followed by the location of
the call, shall be broadcast. This
should then be followed by a

120.40

(CONTINUED)

description of the suspect. Radio
units

which are not assigned to the

call

but which are on the way to the
scene shall, when a “Code Four
Adam” is broadcast, patrol or post
themselves at strategic locations near
the scene.

*

Code Five. A unit intending to

"Stakeout"

shall notify the control of

the location and request a “Code
Five.”

The control operator, upon
receipt of the message, shall
immediately broadcast that there is a
“Code Five” at the particular
location. All units shall avoid the
vicinity except in an emergency or in
response to a call.* Clearing Code
Five. When the need for a “Code
Five” no longer exists, the originating
unit, or the last unit to leave the
scene, shall request the control to
clear the “Code Five” at the
particular location.

* Code Six. When a unit is
conducting a field investigation and
no assistance is anticipated, a “Code
Six,” followed by the location, shall
be broadcast. A unit shall not go
“Code Six” until it arrives at the

scene of a call. Units on “Code Six”

status shall remain available for
reassignment to priority calls by

monitoring their radio frequencies.
A unit on “Code Six” status may

indicate to the dispatcher additional
circumstances which will make the

unit unavailable for assignment to a
priority call. These circumstances
may include:

* Suspect in custody.

* Primary unit at a crime scene.
* Required at a back-up, assistance,

or help location.

Note: The unit shall notify the
dispatcher as soon as it is again
available for radio calls.

* Code Six Adam. When an officer
may need assistance in conducting an
investigation, he should broadcast

“Code Six Adam” with his location.

Other radio units in the vicinity

should then patrol in the general

direction of the given location.

Officers should not ordinarily leave

their assigned districts, but should

deploy to an advantageous position in

the event that assistance is later

requested. When a unit broadcasts

“Code Six Adam” and later finds that

assistance will not be needed, a

“Code Four” and the location shall be

given without delay.

* Code Six Charles. When a one­officer unit receives a “Code Six
Charles” in answer to a request for

information on a suspect, the officer

shall place himself or herself in a
position of advantage over the

suspect while awaiting arrival of

assistance. When control is obtained,

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120.40 (CONTINUED)
the one-officer unit may request and
receive the want/warrant information
from the Radio Telephone Operator.

“Code Six Mary” with his location.
Other radio units in the vicinity
should then patrol in the general
direction of the given location.

Officers should not ordinarily leave
When a “Code Six Charles” is
received by a two-officer unit, the
officers shall immediately place
themselves in positions of advantage
over the suspect. When control is

obtained, the unit shall request the
want/warrant information from the
Communications operator.

* Code Six George. When an officer

may need assistance in conducting an
investigation concerning possible
gang activity, the officer should
broadcast “Code Six George” and the
location. An available “CRASH” or

gang unit should respond, while other
radio units in the vicinity should then
patrol in the general direction of the

location given. Officers should not
ordinarily leave their assigned
districts, but should deploy to an
advantageous position in the event
that assistance is later requested.
When a unit broadcasts “Code Six
George” and later finds that
assistance will not be needed. a
“Code Four” and the location shall be
given without delay.
* Code Six Mary. When an officer
may need assistance in conducting an
investigation concerning possible

their assigned districts, but should
deploy to an advantageous position in
the event that assistance is later
requested. When a unit broadcasts
“Code Six Mary” and later finds that
assistance will not be needed, a
“Code Four” and the location shall be

given without delay.

*

Code Seven. When a unit desires
to go out of service for free time, a
request for “Code Seven,”
accompanied by the location his
assigned vehicle will be parked, shall

be transmitted to the control. The

control operator shall instruct the unit

to “Stand By” until it can be
determined whether the request can
be immediately granted. If the
request cannot be granted,
operator shall instruct the unit to
“Continue Patrol.” If the request is
granted, the control operator shall
inform the unit “OK for Seven.”

* Code Eight. This call is broadcast

for general information when a fire
has been reported at a specific
location where there is a high fire
hazard or a threat of personal danger
to freemen from hostile groups. Units
in the vicinity should respond to the

call but remain on the air available

militant activity, he should broadcast

the

control

120.40

(CONTINUED)

for

calls unless it is necessary to

assist or investigate. “Code Six”

shall

be used when it is necessary to

go

off the air.

*

Code Eight Adam. This call is
broadcast when Communications
Division has received notification
from

the Fire Department confirming

an

active, verified tire at a specific

* Code Twelve. An officer who
responds to a “Code Thirty,” “Code
Thirty Adam,” “Code Thirty-Ringer,”
or a 211 silent and determines that
there is no evidence of a burglary or
robbery, and it appears that the false
alarm was caused by equipment
malfunction or subscriber error, shall
broadcast “Code Twelve,” the
address, and

location and the senior officer at the
scene has requested additional fire
units. A specific police unit shall be
assigned the call to assist with traffic
or crowd control.

*

Code Ten. This call is broadcast

Note: A “Code Twelve” shall be
broadcast, in addition to any crime
information, when a 2 11 silent
is used to summon the police for
reasons other than a robbery.

when a clear frequency is required to
check a suspect for wants and/or
warrants. When an officer desires a
clear frequency to check a suspect for
wants and/or warrants, he shall:

* Code Twenty. When a traffic
collision or other event being
investigated is of such a spectacular
nature or is sufficiently unusual that
accounts of it would stimulate

* Determine that the frequency is

not in use.

*

Identify himself with his unit

number.

* Request “Code Ten,” and state

number of suspects to be checked.

*

Indicate whether suspects are

Juveniles.

general public interest, the phrase
“Code Twenty,” accompanied by the
location of the accident or event,
shall be transmitted to the control.
* Code Thirty. This call is broadcast
for general information when a silent
burglar alarm has been reported by
an alarm company or by an automatic
tape message. Units in the vicinity

Note: A “Code Ten” designation
shall not be used to request a clear
frequency for crime information
broadcasts or any other information,

should respond to the call
available for calls unless it is
necessary to go “Code Six” for the

purpose of assistance or investigation.

except as specified above.

firm

name, if any.

but

alarm

remain

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* Code Thirty Adam. This call is
broadcast when a silent burglar alarm
has been reported by an alarm
company and the location is being
monitored audibly. Units in the
vicinity should respond to the call but
remain available for calls unless it is
necessary to go “Code Six” for the
purpose of assistance or investigation.
Note: If the location appears to be
secure, officers shall ascertain, via

Communications, whether the alarm

company is monitoring any activity

within the location.

* Code Thirty-Ringer. This call is

broadcast when a Communications
dispatcher receives information that a
ringing burglar alarm has been
activated. Units in the vicinity
should respond to the call but remain
available for calls unless it necessary
to go “Code Six” for the purpose of
assistance or investigation.

* Code
Division Radio Telephone Operators
running want/warrant information for
field personnel shall broadcast a
“Code Thirty-Seven” when stolen
vehicle information is returned on
vehicle license numbers, Field
personnel shall employ appropriate
defensive tactics and/or report

pertinent information such as

location, direction of travel, vehicle
description, until control is assured.

Thirty-Seven.

Communications

When the suspect(s) are under the
complete control of SWORN
PERSONNEL or additional assistance
is not required, field employees shall

broadcast a “Code Four” in response

to a “Code Thirty-Seven.”

Note: Communications Division
shall continue to broadcast “Code Six
Charles” in cases of vehicle license
numbers connected with high risk
suspects or vehicles, such as armed
and dangerous, felony want or
warrant. For example, if a vehicle
license number is associated with a
stolen vehicle used in connection
with an armed robbery, a “Code Six
Charles” will be broadcast, NOT
“Code Thirty-Seven.”

* Code Tom. When an employee
needs a TASER, the employee shall
broadcast the unit designation,
location and “Code Tom.”
* Code 100. This code shall be
broadcast by a field unit to notify
other units that a possible escape
route of a suspect from a crime scene
is under temporary surveillance. The
term “Code

100”

shall be broadcast
in the following sequence: Unit
identification, “Code 100,” and the
location.

*

AC:
* FB:
* QT:

Aircraft crash.
Fallen Balloon.
Secrecy required regarding
location.

120.40

(CONTINUED)

*

211:

*311:

* 390:

* 390W:

* 415
*

459:

*

484:
* 484PS
* 502:

Robbery.
Indecent exposure.
Drunk male.

Drunk female.

Disturbance.
Burglary.
Theft.
Purse Snatching
Under-the-influence

driver.

*

507:

* 507FC:
*

586:

* 586E:
* Roger:

Minor disturbance.
Firecrackers.
Illegal parking.
Car parked in driveway.
Message received; will
comply.

:*

Come In:

*

Stand By:

You are being called.
Wait until a suitable
answer is determined
or do not transmit.

*

Go Ahead:

Proceed with your
message.

*

Repeat:

* Out

Repeat your message.
Out of service; not

available for call (used
when no other specific
code applies and shall
be followed by the
reason).

* Clear:

No call outstanding
against unit; available
for call.

Note: When reporting on-duty, units
equipped with two-way radios and
engaged in either uniformed or
plainclothes patrol shall report
“Clear” and indicate the watch to
which they are assigned.

*Want: Determine whether a

vehicle is wanted or
is to be held.

*No Want:

No want or hold on
subject or vehicle of
inquiry.

*warrant:

Vehicle warrant
information.

*DMV:

Information
regarding vehicle
registration.

*JuvenileCheck:

Determine whether

there is want, hold,
or criminal record
for juvenile subject.

*End of Watch: Unit has completed

tour of duty.

Note: When a unit goes off-duty, the
control shall be notified of the
location and that the unit is “End of
Watch.” When a unit has worked
beyond the normal tour of duty, the
watch to which the unit is assigned

shall also be reported.

120.41 INITIAL BROADCASTS
OF CRIME DESCRIPTION.

The first
of a crime shall conduct a brief
interview with the victim or witnesses.
Information, when applicable, shall be
transmitted in the following sequence

to the communications operator,
without delay:

officers

to arrive at the scene

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120.41 (CONTINUED)

* Type Crime classification has priority over
* Occurred
* Location
* Vehicle Used (or left on foot)
* Direction Taken
* Number, Sex, Descent of Suspects
* Outstanding Features
* Weapon
* General

Type

Minutes Ago

Property

120.42 SUPPLEMENTAL

BROADCAST OF CRIME

Special Radio Messages. This

“Routine”
consists of:

* Immediate field broadcasts of
descriptions of suspects and/or
vehicles involved in crimes when the
time element is important.

* Reporting fires.

* Requesting ambulances.

*Any other message requiring
immediate attention.

radio messages and

DESCRIPTION.

As soon as practicable after the initial
brief information concerning the
occurrence of a crime has been relayed
to a communications operator for
broadcast (4/120.41), supplemental
information, including a detailed
description of the suspect, shall be
relayed to the operator. These
suspects’ descriptions shall follow
sequence as outlined in the related
crime report.

130. RADIO MESSAGE

A unit with a “‘Special” message
shall begin transmission by notifying

the control operator that the unit has

a “Special” message. The unit may
precede the message with a request
for a clear frequency for a “Special”
message. When the concerned
frequency is on “Stand By” for a
“Special” message, only broadcasts

the

regarding the “Special” message

shall be transmitted, except an

“Emergency” message or another

“Special” message.

PRIORITY.
Emergency Radio Messages.

classification has priority over all
other messages and consists of
requests for “Help,” information
regarding “Pursuits,” and messages
necessary for the preservation of life.

This

Note: Upon receiving a special
message, the control operator shall
immediately place the concerned
frequencies on “Stand By,” when
necessary, and handle the messages
in the order of their priority. The
control operator shall immediately
clear concerned frequencies when the

special message is completed.

130. (CONTIMJW

"Routine" Message Procedures.

unit with a “Routine” message may

broadcast

frequency
consists of normal radio messages
and

only when the concerned

is clear. This classification

has no priority.

A

130.30 CLEAR FREQUENCY

P

ROCEDURE.

Before transmitting a lengthy

message, such as a report of a major
crime, a unit shall contact the control,
request a clear frequency, and state
the reason for the request.

Exception: When an officer desires a
clear frequency to check a suspect for

wants and/or warrants, he shall
request “Code Ten.”

The control operator, upon receipt of
the request, shall advise all other
units on the same frequency to
“Stand By” and instruct the

concerned unit to “Go Ahead.” Upon
completion of the message, the
control operator shall announce to all
units that the frequency is clear.
Units advised to “Stand By” shall not
attempt to transmit unless their
message
message being transmitted (4/130).

Note: A clear frequency shall not be
requested in order to obtain a “Want”
or

is of higher priority than the

a “DMV” on a vehicle.

FIELD ACTIVITIES

201. NOTIFICATIONS TO
INVESTIGATING OFFICERS,
GENERAL.

201.20 NOTIFICATION TO
INVESTIGATING OFFICERS.
Officer’s Responsibilities. The

senior officer at the scene shall
immediately notify the watch
commander of the Area of
occurrence of the following:

* A homicide or suspected homicide;
* A crime of violence where the
victim is likely to die;

* An extortion or extortion threat;

* A kidnapping;

* Any crime which has the potential
for attracting major press coverage;

* Any crime where the facts indicate
a connection to a Citywide problem;

or,

* Any information regarding a crime,
wanted person, or arrest which requires

an immediate follow-up investigation.

Note: If possible, these notifications

shall be made either by telephone or

mobile digital terminal.

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201.20 (CONTINUED)
Watch Commander’s

when

notified

watch commander shall assess the

information and immediately make the

appropriate notifications as follows:

* The commanding officer, RHD,

when there is a kidnapping with the
potential for serious bodily injury or
death;

* The commanding officer of the
concerned geographic detective
division;

* The commanding officer of the
division responsible for investigating
the crime; or,

* Detective Headquarters Division

when the concerned investigating
division is closed.

of any of the above, the

Responsibilities.

Detective Division Command
Officer’s Responsibilities. The

geographic detective division
commanding
with the Area commanding officer,

shall be responsible for contacting
the appropriate specialized detective
division commanding officer to
discuss responsibility for the
investigation of a crime when:

* The investigation may exceed the
personnel resources or expertise
available within the division;

officer,

after consulting

* The crime may attract major press

coverage; or,

* The circumstances indicate a

connection to a major Citywide problem.

202. FIELD INTERROGATION.

202.05 FIELD INTERVIEWS.
When

the field, he may record the details of
that interview on a Field Interview
Report, Form 15.43. Specific facts
which tend to indicate criminal
activity shall be indicated on the
report.

A Field Interview Report shall be
completed for all arrested persons.

Exception: When persons are
arrested for plain drunk, begging, or
a misdemeanor traffic warrant, a

Field Interview Report need not be

completed, unless there are
indications of possible involvement
in other criminal activities.

Note: Detailed birthplace information
(to include city, county, state, and
country) shall be recorded on the

Form 15.43 Prior to booking all

arrestees.

an officer questions a person in

203. PRELIMINARY FIELD
INVESTIGATION AND

REPORTS.

203.05

This form is used to record
information regarding all persons
entering or assigned to a major crime

scene. The form will be initiated by
the first unit at the scene and
continued by the unit handling the
call.

Upon completion, the form shall be
given to the concerned investigating
officer.

CRIME SCENE LOG.

203.25 REPORTING INCIDENTS

Investigation by Field Units. Field

units assigned to calls or discovering
incidents motivated by hatred or

prejudice shall:

* Investigate the incident and take

appropriate action;

* Telephonically notify the
Administrative Information Unit,
Detective Headquarters Division, of the
incident; and,
* Complete a Preliminary

Investigation Report (PIR) and/or
Arrest Report on all incidents
motivated by hatred or prejudice and
write “Motivated by Hatred or
Prejudice” in the MO portion of the
report.

MOTIVATED BY HATRED OR
PREJUDICE.
Incidents Motivated by Hatred or
Prejudice-Defined. An incident

motivated by hatred or prejudice is
any malicious or offensive act

directed against an individual or
group based upon their race, religion,
culture, disability, ethnic background,
lifestyle, sexual orientation, and
similar incidents against other groups
that may be singled out for acts of
hatred or prejudice. Incidents of this
nature include criminal and non­criminal acts. Non-criminal acts
include, but are not limited to,
activity which would cause an
individual, or members of such groups,

to feel threatened or intimidated.

If the circumstances of an incident do
not provide the corpus delicti of a

specific crime, a short form PIR shall
be completed and titled “Hatred
Incident.” In cases where there is no
specific crime, do not list persons

possibly responsible for the incident

as suspects; such person shall be

listed in the “Involved Persons”

section of the PIR.

Note: A PIR shall be completed
whenever an officer becomes
aware of any incident, whether
criminal or non-criminal, which
meets the criteria of an incident

motivated by hatred or prejudice.

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203.25 (CONTINUED)

The unwillingness of the victim of an

incident motivated by hatred or
prejudice to sign a report, or the
absence of a victim to the incident,
does not exempt officers from the
requirement to complete a PIR of the
incident.

Geographic Detective Division
Responsibilities. Upon receipt of a

crime report involving an incident
motivated by hatred or prejudice, the
assigned detective shall complete a
Follow-Up Investigation, Form 3.14,
within ten working days of the date
assigned reporting the results of the
investigation. If the investigation

reveals that the incident was not in
fact motivated by hatred or prejudice,
the assigned investigator shall
complete a Form 3.14 and enter

“NOT MOTIVATED BY HATRED

OR PREJUDICE” on the first line in
the narrative portion of the report.

Note: A Form 3.14 shall be
completed on non-criminal incidents
at the discretion of the Area
commanding officer.

The detective supervisor approving
the completed Form 3.14 shall ensure
a copy is forwarded to the Area
commanding officer and Criminal
Conspiracy Section.

212.15

Area Commanding Officer’s
Responsibilities. All reports

involving incidents motivated by
hatred or prejudice within an Area
shall be reviewed by the concerned
Area commanding officer. The Area
commanding officer shall:

* Evaluate the social impact on the
community from each incident;
* Ensure that the appropriate
up investigations have been initiated
and completed in a timely manner;
* Provide assurance to victims of
incidents motivated by hatred or

prejudice that the Department is

actively pursuing the necessary
investigation to remedy the situation;

and,

* Review all follow-up investigations
involving incidents motivated by
hatred or prejudice.

follow-

212. REQUESTING AIDE IN
THE FIELD

212.15 ASSISTANCE BY
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION

handling of explosives, Administrative

Division, shall be notified.

212.20 RADIO REQUESTS FOR
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION

(CONTINUED)

If

a crime is such that latent or

microscopic evidence, hazardous
chemicals or dangerous explosives
may

be present, the assistance of the
concerned specialist from Scientific
investigation
requested.
investigation by a unit of Scientific
investigation Division shall make the
request by telephone whenever
possible. When necessary, and a
telephone is not available, the request
may be made by radio. In

accordance with Section 4/201.30,
when a telephonic notification should
be made to an investigative unit and
the unit is not available, the
notification shall be made to
Detective Headquarters Division.

Note: In all incidents requiring the

Information Unit, Detective Headquarters

Division shall be

Officers

requesting a field

DIVISION. DIVISION UNITS.

The officers investigating the scene of When a radio request for Scientific
a crime shall determine whether a ~
specialist from Scientific Investigation
Division shall be summoned to the ~ clear frequency and supplying the
scene (41212.44). following applicable items of information:

Investigation Division units is made
(4/212.15), it shall by made by obtaining a

*

Unit making the request.

* Unit requested.

* Type of crime or incident to be
investigated.

* Type of assistance required (lifting
fingerprints, obtaining plaster casts,
examining explosives, taking photographs,
etc.).

* Location where service is requested.

* All other pertinent information.

The request shall be made by radio
only when the situation demands
immediate scientific investigation
and a telephone is not available.

212.40 RESPONSIBILITY FOR
PROTECTING EVIDENCE.
Officers requesting the

specialist from Scientific Investigation

Division shall be responsible for the
protection of evidence until relieved
by the specialist.

assistance of a

212.48 INVESTIGATIONS

INVOLVING POISONS.

When it is suspected that a major
crime involves the use of poison, the
Laboratory Section, Scientific
Investigation Division, shall be
notified immediately

(4/201.30).

212.54 PHOTOGRAPHS.

Requests for photographic services,
other than traffic, training, public

relations activity, or fingerprints,

shall be directed to the Photographic
Section, Scientific Investigation

Division

(4/201.30).

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216. TAKING PERSONS INTO
CUSTODY.

216.52 WEARING OF BODY
ARMOR DURING TACTICAL
OPERATIONS AND WARRANT
SERVICE.

The officer in charge of any police

operation listed below shall ensure
that all officers involved in the actual
field operation wear body armor:

* Any preplanned tactical operation
at a location where officers have
reason to believe an individual(s)
may use a firearm to resist.

* Serving a search warrant at a
location where officers have reason
to believe a felony suspect(s) may be
present.

* Serving a felony arrest warrant on a
suspect not in custody.

Based on tactical considerations, the
officer in charge shall specify
officers shall wear concealable body
armor and which officers, if any,
shall wear external bulletproof vests
(4/212.51).

which

* When the rules of search and

seizure permit, an arrestee shall be
thoroughly searched as soon as
practicable. Such searches shall be
conducted by an employee of the
arrestee’s sex. However, an
immediate search may be conducted
in the field by an officer of either sex

when necessitated by specific
circumstances, such
belief that:

*The arrestee is armed with a
weapon.

*A delay could result in the
destruction or loss of evidence.

* Personal property shall not be taken
from arrestees in the field.

could be used as weapons, and items

which could contain weapons shall
be taken from the arrestee.

217.20 NON-PROHIBITED
DRUGS RECOVERED FROM
ARRESTEES.

An officer who recovers non­prohibited drugs from an arrestee’s
possession shall:

217. CUSTODY OF UNBOOKED
PRISONERS.

217.05 SEARCHES OF
SUSPECTS AND ARRESTEES.

Cursory Searches.

cursory search for weapons is necessary, it
may be conducted by an officer of either sex.

When an immediate

* Deliver the drugs to the booking clerk

separate from the

* Inform the booking clerk that the drugs

have been verified as non-prohibited.

as a reasonable

Exceptions: Evidence, items which

arrestee's

property.

217.20 (CONTINUED)

Note:

When an arrestee is booked at

Sybil Brand Institute, non-prohibited

drugs

shall be placed in an envelope
and returned to the arrestee’s
personal property. The envelope
shall be signed by the officer and
shall include a description of the
contents.

An officer shall constantly monitor

the actions of an unhandcuffed

arrestee. If the officer believes it is
necessary, he may, at any time,
handcuff the arrestee.

217.32 HANDCUFFING OF
MISDEMEANOR PRISONERS.

Handcuffing of misdemeanor
prisoners is discretionary.

217.30 USE OF HANDCUFFS.

The primary purpose in handcuffing
an arrestee is to maintain control of
the arrestee and to minimize the
possibility of escalating the situation
to a point that would necessitate
more drastic means of restraint.

Felon arrestees shall normally be
handcuffed; however, there may be
circumstances which would make the
handcuffing of an arrestee inappropriate.
Such circumstances can best be
perceived by the involved officer.
Therefore, any decision to not handcuff
an arrestee must be based on available
facts. Factors involved in making this
decision include, but are not limited to:

*

The possibility of the arrestee’s

escaping.

*

The possibility of escalating the

incident.

*

Potential threat to
persons.
*

Knowledge of the arrestee's previous
encounters with law enforcement.

officers

and other

Exception:

217.34 HANDCUFFING OF
BELLIGERENT ARRESTEES.

If an
he might become belligerent, his
hands shall be handcuffed behind him.

220. VEHICLE REPORTING
PROCEDURES.

220.10 VEHICLE
INVESTIGATION
DETERMINATION.

A Vehicle Investigation, Form 3.7,

shall be completed to report the
following when stolen,
recovered, found, or impounded:

* Motor vehicles (all types).

* Motorcycles, motor-driven cycles,

mopeds, mini-bikes, go-carts, and
motor scooters.

arrestee

(4/217.34).

gives any indication that

lost,

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220.10 (CONTINUED)

* Off-highway vehicles, including
construction equipment, dune
buggies, and racing vehicles.

* Trailers (all types).
* Separate vehicle motors.

* Separate vehicle transmissions.

*Campers.

* Aircraft (all types).
* Boats.
* Separate boat engines.
* Separate

In addition a Vehicle Investigation
shall be used as an order to release a
vehicle impounded with a hold,
as a Garage Report of Release or
Sale of an impounded vehicle.

boat transmissions.

and

220.15 LOST OR STOLEN
VEHICLE-LICENSE OR
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
UNKNOWN.

When the license or identification
number of a stolen or lost vehicle is
unknown, the reporting officer shall
complete the report, except for the
missing numbers; obtain the
reporting person’s signature; notify
the Vehicle Processing Unit (VPU),
Records and Identification Division;
and obtain a DR number.

Vehicles Registered in California.

The Vehicle Processing Unit shall
send a teletype to DMV, Sacramento,
requesting the missing numbers and

directing that the reply be sent to the
Vehicle Processing Unit and the
concerned division record unit.

The concerned division record unit
shall complete and distribute the

report when the missing information

is received from DMV.

Vehicle Registered Outside

California. When the stolen or lost

vehicle is registered outside
California, the reporting person shall
be requested to obtain the unknown

numbers and forward that
information to the concerned
investigating officers. Also,
record unit processing the report

shall send a teletype inquiry to the
DMV in the registering state
requesting registration information.
Upon receipt of the return teletype,
the information shall be forwarded to

the concerned investigating officers
and VPU

(543.7-22).

the

Area

220.25 REPORT OF SINGLE
LOST OR STOLEN LICENSE
PLATES.

When a single lost or stolen license
plate is reported missing, the

reporting person shall be advised to

immediately remove the remaining
license plate from the vehicle, and to

surrender it to the Department of
Motor Vehicles when replacement
plates are obtained.

220.25 (CONTINUED)

Note: The reporting employee shall
enter the name of the person advised
to remove the plate from the vehicle
in the narrative of the report.

220.26 ADVISING PERSON AS
TO METHOD OF
REPLACEMENT REGARDING
LOST OR STOLEN LICENSE
PLATES.

Person making reports of lost license
plates and inquiring as to the method
of replacing them shall be referred to
the Department of Motor Vehicles
(for release of found license plates,

see 4/555.70).

220.43

VEHICLE

INVESTIGATION-

NOTIFICATION REQUIRED.

An officer conducting a preliminary
investigation of a stolen or recovered

truck of five-ton capacity or larger, a
commercial trailer, a tractor cab, or a
bulldozer shall immediately
telephone all available information to
Burglary-Auto Theft Division
(BAD). When BAD personnel are
not available, such notification shall
be given to Detective Headquarters
Division.

220.50 VEHICLE TAKEN IN A
CRIME.

Whenever a vehicle is taken in the
commission of a crime a Vehicle
“Stolen” Investigation, Form 3.7,
shall be completed in addition to the

appropriate crime report.

Exception: When an officer
conducting a preliminary investigation
determines that a vehicle has been
obtained by use of a worthless
document, he shall:

* Complete only a Worthless
Document Report, Form 3.6, and
include all pertinent vehicle
information in the body of the report.

* Obtain a DR number for the
Worthless Document Report.

Note: The vehicle information shall
not be entered into the Stolen Vehicle

System by the officer conducting the

preliminary investigation.

The concerned investigating officer

shall determine whether a Vehicle

Investigation, Form 3.7, is

appropriate. If so, he shall:

* Complete a Vehicle Investigation,

using the worthless document DR
number.

* Notify the Vehicle Information

Processing Unit, Records and
Identification Division.

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220.55 STOLEN VEHICLE USED
IN THE COMMISSION OF A
CRIME.

When it is determined that a stolen
vehicle used in a crime has not been
reported as stolen, a Vehicle “Stolen”
Investigation, Form 3.7, shall be
completed in addition to the

appropriate crime report.

220.85 PLACING HOLD ON
IMPOUNDED VEHICLE.

When circumstances require that a
vehicle be held for investigation, the
impounding employee shall:

* Caution the tow truck operator if
there is danger of destroying
evidence.

* Place a hold for the appropriate
investigative unit by entering
information in the proper space on
the Vehicle Investigation, Form 3.7.

Note: Do not hold for
Theft Division unless specifically
requested. Hold for Area detectives.

* In the “Not Available for Release”
space of the Vehicle Impound Notice,

Form 15.23, indicate the responsible
investigative unit, and the anticipated
dates of release. (Normally two
business days.)

* If practicable, telephonically notify

the responsible investigative unit of
the hold. If telephonic notification

Burglary Auto-

cannot be made at the time of
impound, that fact shall be recorded
on the Vehicle Investigation, and the
Area Vehicle Control Clerk shall
make such notification during the
next business day.

* If a vehicle
cannot be impounded under authority
of the Vehicle Code, contact the
investigating officer of the concerned
unit for advice.

wanted

for investigation

221. FIELD RELEASING
VEHICLES.

221.10 RELEASING
RECOVERED STOLEN
VEHICLES.

When feasible, a recovered stolen
vehicle which does not require a hold
shall be. released to the owner (or the
owner’s agent) without impounding.

Determining Feasibility. Officers

who recover a vehicle which appears

to be available for field release shall

immediately contact a supervisor.

The supervisor shall determine the
feasibility of making a field release
based on the following factors:

* The practicability of immediately

contacting the owner (e.g.,
availability of owner’s telephone
number; local dialing area), AND

* The time required for the owner to

arrive at the recovery location, AND

221.10 (CONTIN

*

The owner’s willingness to receive
the vehicle, AND
* The current unit call load and need
for police service.

Signature on Recovery Report.

After verification of identity, the
employee shall obtain the signature
of the person receiving the vehicle in
the “Person Reporting” box on the
Recovery Report.

Victim’s Report Memo.

receiving the vehicle shall be given a
completed Victim’s Report Memo,
Form 3.17, and shall be advised of
the necessity for caution if stopped
by a police unit.

Recovered Vehicle Broadcast.

employee shall immediately notify
Communications Division of the

release of the vehicle. The operator

shall, without delay, broadcast a

cancellation of the want on the

vehicle.

Notification to Vehicle Processing

Unit. The employee shall telephonically
notify the Vehicle Processing Unit of the
recovery as soon as practicable.

UED

)

The

person

The

be given to the desirability of
attempting to lift fingerprints prior to
releasing the vehicle.

Special Instruction. Recovering

employee shall not leave the vehicle
unattended except under unusual or
emergency conditions. To preclude
removal of the vehicle during the
employee’s unanticipated absence,
upon initial contact the owner shall be
instructed not to remove the vehicle if

the employee is not at the scene.

222. IMPOUNDING VEHICLES.

222.10 RESPONSIBILITY FOR
ARRESTEE’S VEHICLE.

Arresting officers shall be
responsible for the reasonable care of
a vehicle in the immediate physical
possession of the arrestee.

Note: Outside agency officers shall
care for the arrestee's vehicle when
they are responsible for completing
the investigation.

222.35 ABANDONED VEHICLES.

All requests for the removal of
abandoned vehicles shall be
forwarded to the Department of
Transportation.

Latent Prints. When there is

information or evidence regarding a

possible suspect, consideration must

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222.50 NOTIFICATION TO
OWNER OF IMPOUNDED
VEHICLE.
Obtaining Information. Owner

information is available through
SVS, Department records, or records
in the vehicle. If complete owner
information is unavailable from these
sources, the impounding employee
shall cause a teletype request to be
sent to the Department of Motor
Vehicles, Sacramento, or, for a
vehicle registered out of state, a
teletype request through the National
Law Enforcement Telecommunications

System.

Upon receipt of the return teletype,
the supervisor approving the Vehicle
Investigation shall ensure that the
information is entered and that any

appropriate notices are mailed. If the

return teletype is not received by the

end

of

the business day following the
impound, the report shall be
forwarded to the Area Vehicle
Control Clerk who shall obtain the
information, complete the report
processing, and make appropriate
notifications.

Notification by Mail. Notification

by mail shall be accomplished as
follows:

* Abandoned Vehicles-$200 or

Less. If an abandoned vehicle is

appraised at two hundred dollars or
less, the impounding employee shall
cause a Notice of Stored Impounded
Vehicle, Form 15.23, and all required
notifications related to post-storage
vehicle impound hearings (41226.15)
to be mailed to the present, legal, and
registered owners.* Other Impounded
Vehicles. The impounding employee
shall cause a Notice of Impounded
Vehicle, Form 15.23, and all required
notifications related to post-storage
vehicle impound hearings (4/226.15)
to be sent to the present, registered,
and legal owners and, if the vehicle
was reported stolen, the person
reporting.
Note: When a vehicle is impounded

as a result of the
“22651 (h) V.C.,” (NOT “driver
arrested”) shall be entered as the

reason for impound. (See also

Conveyances Subject to Seizure,
section 41222.70)
* Telephonic Notifications.
* No Hold. When no hold is placed on
the vehicle, the present owner, in addition
to being notified by mail, shall, when
practicable within the local or ATSS
dialing ma, be
the impounding employee. Such
notification, or the reason for not
notifying, shall be documented on the
bottom line of the “Narrative” section
of the Vehicle Investigation.

driver's arrest,

notified

telephonically by

222.50 (CONTINUED)

*Holds. When a hold is placed on an

impounded vehicle, the impounding
employee shall not telephonically
notify the owner or reporting party.

(In these instances, telephonic
notification is the responsibility of
the Area Vehicle Control Clerk.)

222.55 FINGERPRINTS ON
IMPOUNDED VEHICLE.

When a vehicle is held for prints
(4/220.85), the impounding officer
shall:

* Notify by telephone the Latent
Print Section, Scientific Investigation
Division, or the Valley Section,
Scientific Investigation Division, if
the vehicle was impounded in a
Valley Area.
*

Place in the Vehicle Investigation, All property, whether in plain sight
Form 3.7, the name, serial number, or found as a result of a legal search,
and division of assignment of the which is left in an impounded vehicle

person notified that the vehicle is shall be listed on the Vehicle
held for prints. Investigation, Form 3.7.

222.60 PROPERTY IN A
VEHICLE TO BE IMPOUNDED
OR LEFT PARKED.

When a vehicle is impounded or left
legally parked at the scene of a police
investigation, the following items shall

be removed and booked in accordance

with established procedures:

* All property of evidential value,
whether in plain sight or found as a

result of a legal search.

* Property in plain sight that is
estimated by the employee to have a
market value of more than $50 per
item or a total value of more than
$100 when these items cannot be
locked in the driver’s compartment,
glove box, or trunk.

* Any items of evidential value in the
trunk or glove box of the vehicle that
come into the sight of employees
securing property from the driver’s
compartment.
* All moneys found, whether in plain
sight or as a result of a legal search.
* Any item declared to be of value by
the person in apparent lawful control
of the vehicle if the person insists.

When probable cause does not exist
for a legal search, the items preprinted
on the Vehicle Investigation (e.g.,
battery, spare tire) that are not in plain
sight shall be so indicated on the form.

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222.60 (CONTINUED)

Los Angeles Department of
Transportation employees shall be
permitted to book property removed
form impounded vehicles into the
Department’s property system under
the following condition:

* Property in plain sight that is
estimated by the employee to have a
market value of more than $50 per
item or to have a total value of more
than $100; and,
* The items cannot be secured in the
driver’s compartment, glove box, or
trunk.

The LADOT employee shall be
responsible for the completion of the
property report and the proper
packaging of the item(s) to be
booked.

Note: Items deemed to be of
evidentiary value shall be booked by
a sworn employee.

222.61 IMPOUNDED VEHICLE
REPORT-CRIME REPORT
INFORMATION.

The impounding employee shall not
complete items relative to witnesses,

suspects, arrestees, and narrative

(other than impound remarks) until
the garage copies have been
detached.

222.65

REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
IN AN IMPOUNDED VEHICLE.

Neither the ignition keys nor the
registration certificate shall be
removed from an impounded vehicle
unless they are to be booked as
evidence.

238. DEAD BODIES.

238.10 DETERMINING DEATH.

Except when a person is obviously
dead, it shall be the responsibility of

the emergency ambulance crew to
determine if death has occurred.

238.20 AMBULANCE
REQUESTED AT SCENE OF

APPARENT DEATH.

An ambulance shall be requested at
the scene of an apparent death when:

* There is no doctor in attendance.
* There is a possibility, even if

remote, that the person may be alive.

If death has occurred, a Rescue
Report, Form F660, shall be obtained
from the ambulance crew and attached
to the Death Report, Form 3.11.

238.23 DEAD BODIES EXPOSED
TO PUBLIC VIEW.

When a dead body which does not
come within the jurisdiction of the
Coroner (4/238.46) is exposed to

KEYS AND

238.23 (CONTINUED)

public view, an ambulance shall be
requested. The body shall be
released as directed by the

investigating officers.

When a dead body which comes
within the jurisdiction of the Coroner
(4/238.46)
the investigating officers shall notify

the senior Coroner’s investigator as

soon as practicable. The investigating
officers shall be guided by the
instructions of the Coroner’s
representative dispatched to the scene.

When a supervisor at the scene of a
death determines that a dead body

exposed to public view would
probably create an adverse incident,
he shall notify the senior coroner’s
investigator, who will arrange to have
the body removed immediately by
ambulance. The instructions of the
Coroner shall be given to the
ambulance crew.

238.26 TRANSPORTATION OF
DEAD BODIES.

A dead body which comes under the

jurisdiction of the Coroner (4/238.46)

shall not be removed to a funeral
establishment except on instructions
of a deputy coroner.

is exposed to public view,

personal effects and possessions of
the deceased are taken by the deputy
coroner, a receipt shall be obtained
(4/238.48). This receipt shall be
attached to the Death Report.

238.40 NOTIFICATION TO
INVESTIGATING OFFICERS OF

DEATH.

Officers assigned a dead body call

shall telephone, without delay, the
concerned geographic investigating
officers and notify them of the
circumstances. They shall be
informed if there is any indication
that a death might be suicide or
homicide. Detective Headquarters
Division shall be notified of the

circumstances if the concerned
investigating officers are not
available. Officers shall abide by
instructions of the investigating
officers.

238.30 SEARCHING DEAD
BODIES.

The officer in charge at the scene of a
dead body shall prevent any person,
other than a deputy coroner, from

searching the body. Whenever
possible, a witness, preferably a
relative of the deceased or a member
of the household, shall be requested
to remain at the scene with the
officer.

The name and address of this
person, and a statement verifying his
presence, shall be included in the
Death Report, Form 3.11. Whenever

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238.43 NOTIFICATION TO
RELATIVES OF DECEASED
PERSON.

Whenever practicable, notification to
the next of kin of the deceased person

shall be made by the investigating

officers in person. If the next of kin
lives in another area, a police unit of
that area shall be requested to make

the personal notification. If the
relatives live outside the City, the

Coroner shall be requested to make

the notification.

238.46 NOTIFICATION TO

CORONER.

It shall be the responsibility of the
investigating officers to notify the
Coroner of all deaths occurring: (1)

* When the deceased died while

under arrest, while being temporarily

detained or while under the care or

control of an officer of the

Department.

* When the deceased has not been

attended by a physician within

twenty days preceding death.

* When the deceased committed

suicide.

* When the attending physician is
unable to state the cause of death.

* When the deceased died as the
result of an accident.

* When there is any suspicion that
the death resulted from the use of

narcotics.

* Under such circumstances as to
afford a reasonable ground to suspect
that death was caused by the criminal
act of another.

[(l)Health and Safety Code Section

10250.]

238.48 PROPERTY TO
CORONER.

An officer at the scene of a death
requiring a Death Report, Form 3.11 ~
(5/3.11), shall obtain an itemized
receipt form the Coroner’s deputy for
all property, including the contents of
wallets and purses, removed from the
scene by such deputy. The receipt
shall be stapled to the original of the
Death Report.

Suicide Notes. Original suicide

notes shall accompany the body to a
Coroner’s mortuary. Portions of i
suicide notes pertaining to the
suicidal act shall be quoted in the
Death Report when practicable.
When a copy of the original suicide ,
note is desired by investigating
officers, a photocopy may be
obtained from the Coroner’s Office.
When the original note is needed for
crime laboratory study, it shall be
obtained from the Coroner’s Office
by a member of Scientific
Investigation Division.

238.48 (CONTINUED)
Poisons and Drugs. All poisons,

drugs, and their containers suspected

of being connected with a suicide

shall accompany the body to the

Coroner.

Firearms. All firearms suspected of

being suicide weapons shall be
booked as evidence to provide the

opportunity to test such firearms.

Such weapons shall be released to the

Coroner’s property office

(4/560.40).

238.60 UNIDENTIFIED DEAD

BODIES.

When the identity of a dead body is
unknown, the reporting officer shall
obtain the “John Doe” or “Jane Doe”
number from the Coroner’s deputy at

the scene. Pending identification, the
number shall be used in lieu of the
decedent’s name.

238.83. HOMICIDE.

The first officer to arrive at the scene
of a homicide shall immediately
isolate the vicinity where the crime

was committed, or the body was
found. It shall be his responsibility
to

see that no one be permitted to

approach the scene until investigating
officers arrive and take charge of the
case. Upon arrival, the investigating
officers shall be in charge of the
investigation. Officers assigned to

any duty at the scene shall remain
until they are relieved by the

investigating officers.

245. EMPLOYEE-INVOLVED
USE OF FORCE INCIDENTS.

245.05 REPORTABLE USE OF
FORCE INCIDENT-DEFINED.

A reportable use of force incident is
defined as an incident in which any

on-duty Department employee, or
off-duty employee whose occupation

as a Department employee is a factor,
uses a non-lethal control device or
any physical force to :

* Compel a person to comply with

the employee’s directions; or,

* Overcome resistance by a suspect

during an arrest or a detention; or,

* Defend any person from an

aggressive action by a suspect.

Exceptions: The following incidents

are not reportable under the

provisions of this Section:

* The use of a firm grip control only,

which does not result in an injury; or,

* That force necessary to overcome
passive resistance due to physical
disability or intoxication which does
not result in an injury; e.g., the use of
a wrist lock to assist an intoxicated
person to a standing position; or,

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245.05 (CONTINUED)

* An incident investigated by the
Officer-Involved Shooting Section,
Robbery-Homicide Division.

Note: Off-duty employees completing
use of force related reports shall
a copy to their supervisor no later
their next regularly scheduled tour of
duty.

245.10 REPORTING USE OF
FORCE INCIDENTS.

215. PIN MAPS.

An employee who becomes involved
in a reportable use of force incident

or discharges a TASER or a chemical

irritant control device for any reason

other than an approved training

275.10 CRIME PIN MAPS.

Those divisions or units maintaining
crime pin maps shall post such maps
with the following designated pins:

exercise shall:

DIVISIONAL PIN MAPS

* Complete a Use of Force Report,

Form 1.67.2;

* Report the full details of the use of
force incident in the related
Department arrest or crime report;

* Use an Employee’s Report, Form

15.7, to report the full details of the

use of force incident when a crime or

arrest report is not required;

* Ensure that each page of all copies

of the related report has the words

WATCH PIN MAPS

USE OF FORCE in the left margin.

Crime

Off-duty

in a reportable use of force incident shall

notify their supervisor or watch

commander without unnecessary delay.

Notification shall be made to the Watch

Commander, Detective Headquarters
Division, when the employee’s location of

assignment is closed.

employees who become involved

Residence Burglary
Business Burglary
Gas Station Burglary
Street Robbery
Business Robbery
All Other Robberies

Rape
Assaults

Theft from Auto

submit

than

Pin

Plain Red
Red With Bar
Red With Dot
PlainGreen
Green With Bar

Green With Dot

Plain Black

Black With Bar
PlainYellow

275.10 (CONTINUED)

Theft from Business Yellow With Bar

Yellow

Other Thefts
Auto

Theft

(Street)
Auto Theft (Parking Lot)
Auto Theft (Other)
purse Snatching
Recovered Auto

Burglary from Auto

WithDot

Plain Orange

Orange

With

Bar
Orange With Dot
Plain Chocolate
Plain White
Plain Blue

279. SHOTGUNS IN POLICE
VEHICLES.

A loaded Department shotgun carried
in a police vehicle shall contain four
rounds of ammunition in the
magazine, shall be cocked, and the
safety shall be in the “ON” position.

A shotgun shall not be carried in a
police vehicle with a round of
ammunition in the chamber.

BOOKING, CUSTODY, AND
DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY

505. PROPERTY
CLASSIFICATIONS.

505.10 CLASSIFICATIONS OF
PROPERTY.

Items entered into the Department
property system shall be classified as
follows:

*

Evidence-items which are or may

be related to a crime, or which may

either implicate or exonerate a

person.

* Excess Personal

Property-non­evidentiary personal property of an
arrestee which cannot be packaged in
a prisoner’s property package or

purse.

* Non-evidence-property other than

evidence or excess personal property.

505.15 CLASSIFICATIONS OF

ANALYZED EVIDENCE.

Evidence booked into the
Department’s property system shall

be classified as follows:

*

Analyzed

Evidence-Shelf

Storage-evidence, other than

narcotics, that does not require cold
storage.

* Analyzed Evidence-To Be

Refrigerated-whole blood, urine,
saliva, etc.
* Analyzed Evidence-To Be

Frozen-biological evidence (dried
blood/semen, swabs/slides/aspirates,
etc.).

*

Analyzed Evidence-narcotics.

505.20 RECLASSIFICATION OF

NON-EVIDENCE.

Non-evidence may be reclassified to
evidence by completion of a Follow­up Report, Form 3.14.

Note: Additional property may not
be booked on a Follow-up Report,
Form 3.14.

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510. BOOKING PROCEDURE.

owner. When appropriate, employees

shall utilize photographs in lieu of

510.10 BOOKING EVIDENCE

actual evidence.

AND NON-EVIDENCE­GENERAL.

The employee seizing or taking
custody of evidence shall ensure it is
properly booked without unnecessary
delay.

All property which is to be booked
shall be inventoried and listed on the
Property Report, Form 10.1. The
employee seizing or taking custody
of a closed container shall open the
container prior to booking and
conduct an inventory search if its
contents cannot be determined from
examining its exterior. Evidence
may only be booked by a sworn
employee, a
Representative in the course of his
official duties or a civilian employee
conducting specialized investigative

work. Responsibility for booking
evidence may be assumed by the

detective or the civilian investigative

specialist at the scene.
Employees shall book only the

quantities of evidence necessary for
case prosecution. In instances when
the rightful ownership of property
can be readily determined, and case
prosecution will not be jeopardized,
the property shall be returned to the

Police Service

Note: If there is a question as to

whether or not photographs will
suffice in lieu of actual evidence

items, the booking employee should

seek the advice of a supervisor or the
concerned detective.

Non-evidence shall not be booked

into a Department storage facility
unless circumstances necessitate
booking of the property.

The employee seizing or taking
custody of property shall issue a
Receipt for Property Taken into
Custody, Form 10.10 (duplicate
copy), to the person relieved of the
property (4/645.20 and 500.10). The
original of the Form 10.10 shall be

included as a page of the original
Property Report, Form 10.1; Notice
to Appear/Release From Custody
Report, Form 5.2.8; or Arrest Report,
Form 5.2, when evidence to be
booked is listed.

Evidence and non-evidence shall not
be stored in the personal possession

of any employee, except certain

forgery-related evidence (4/570.20).

510.10(CONTINUED)

One copy of the Property Report,
Form 10.1, or Notice to

Appear/Release, Form 5.2.8; or
Arrest face sheet, Form 5.2, shall
accompany the property when
booked.

The employee booking property

shall, if circumstances permit, check

identifiable property against the

Automated Property System and
provide information regarding any
reported stolen property in the
reports. The booking employee shall
notify each detective division

Exception: Two copies shall accompany
narcotics or firearm bookings, or blood
or urine bookings within
Valley

Bureau.

Operations-

handling a case involving the booked
property by completing the “Extra
Copy To” portion of the reports to
ensure notification and report
distribution to each detective

It is not necessary to issue the Form

division.

10.10 for blood and urine samples or
biological smear specimens taken
from an

arrestee

or the victim of a
crime, nor is it necessary to include
these

items on a Form 10.10 used to
list other property taken from an
arrestee

or victim.

When the finding of non-evidence is
reported and the finder refuses to
relinquish custody of the property to
the Department, the interviewing

employee shall complete a Property

Investigative officers within the
booking employee’s Area should
confer with any other entity handling
a case involving the booked property
to determine responsibility for
disposition of the property.

Note: Booking employees shall
continue to check all firearms against
the Automated Firearms System

(4/540.30)

printout to the appropriate report.

Report, Form 10.1, and make a
notation on the report that the

property is in the possession of the
finder.
Note: The assigned detectives
(4/790.)
has

shall ensure that the finder

complied with

laws governing

found property (Civil Code 1020.1,

510.12 BOOKING ANALYZED

EVIDENCE-GENERAL.

An employee receiving evidence
requiring analysis shall:

* Record appropriate information on

all required envelopes or tags;

2080.3; Penal Code 177 and 485).

and attach a copy of the

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510.12 (CONTINUED)

* Place the evidence in the correct
classification of Laboratory and
Analyzed Evidence Envelope, or tag
correctly;
* When applicable, enclose a
completed Sexual Assault

Evidence­Instructions To Examining Physician,
Form 12.52, in one of the Analyzed
Evidence Envelopes;

* Seal the Analyzed Evidence
Envelope with a completed Analyzed
Evidence Seal on both flaps of the
required evidence envelope; and,

* Book the evidence within the

Department property

system

(4/513.30).

Note: Analyzed evidence requiring

freezer storage shall be booked at

Central Property Division no later

than six (6) hours after it is obtained.

525. PRESERVING PROPERTY.

525.10 PRESERVING

PROPERTY--GENERAL.

All property shall be protected from
contamination, alteration, destruction,
and damage. Employees taking
custody of property which they do not
know how to preserve shall obtain
assistance from Scientific Investigation

Division.

FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION

702. DETECTIVE’S CASE
ENVELOPE-FELONY
ARRESTEES.

The assigned investigator shall
ensure that:

* A separate Detective’s Case
Envelope, Form 15.15, is utilized for
each adult felony arrestee.

Exceptions Investigations requiring use
of a case package larqger than the 15.15, or

a Murder Book (4/710.30).

* A copy of all related reports

is filed
in the package.
* Applicable information is entered
on the face of the envelope as it
becomes available.

* The completed case package is

submitted to a supervisor for approval

as

soon as practicable after the Investigator’s

Final

Report, Form 5.10, is approved and

returned to the investigator.

After Approval, completed case
packages are to be filed as directed
by the division commanding officer.

709. DEATHS.

* The postmortem examination

results,

709.10 DEATH
INVESTIGATION-FOLLOW-

UP PROCEDURES.

death; OR,

* That the investigation is continuing

and the reason for its continuance.

Natural, Accidental, and Suicide
Deaths. Death investigations which

reflect a supported classification of
“natural,” “accidental,” or “suicide”
shall not routinely require a

Follow-

up Report, Form 3.14.

Undetermined Deaths. The
detective responsible for the follow­up investigation of a death classified

as “undetermined” shall, as soon as
possible but no later than 60 day after
the initial Death Investigation Report,

Exception: A Follow-up Report shall

be completed as soon as practical

complete a Follow-up Report
indicating:

when:

* The postmortem examination

*

The facts articulated in the initial

Death Investigation Report, Form

3.11,

do not support the

classification; OR,

*

Subsequent information significantly

alters

the original classification; OR,

results, and the final classification
and cause of death, OR,

* That the postmortem examination
is continuing and a statement as to
why the examination and/or the
investigation has not been concluded.

* The postmortem examination
contradicts the classification and
cause of death reported on the Death
Investigation Report,

Note: When the postmortem
examination results cannot be

obtained, the detective shall complete
an additional Follow-up Report during

Traffic Related Deaths. When a
death results from a

traffic

collision,

the investigating officer shall

complete a Traffic Collision Status
Report, Form 4.16, within 60 days
following the initial Death
investigation Report. The report

shall indicate:

each subsequent 90 day period, until
the final classification or cause of
death can be established. If either the
classification or cause of death cannot
be determined, the detective shall
complete a Follow-up Report
indicating the available results and the
reason why a final determination by
the Coroner is not possible.

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710. HOMICIDES.

710.10 TELEPHONIC
NOTIFICATIONS.

A telephonic notification reporting
the occurrence of a homicide shall be
made by the homicide investigating

officer as soon as practical after his
preliminary investigation to the
concerned operations bureau office
and the Administrative Information
Unit,
Division. The following information
shall be included:

* Name of victim.
* Date and time of occurrence.

* Location of occurrence.
* Suspect in custody/outstanding.
* Cause of death.
* Motive for homicide (if known).
* Area of occurrence.
* Potential for additional problems.
* Name of reporting officer.

Detective Headquarters

710.20 HOMICIDE STATUS
REPORTS.
Unsolved Homicides. A progress

report on an unsolved homicide shall
be submitted by detectives to their
commanding officer, within 60 days
of case assignment. The report is in
lieu of a Follow-up Report, Form

3.14. It shall be on plain white paper
and distributed as follows:

* Original and addenda to the

assigned detective.

* One copy to the detective

supervisor.

* One copy and addenda to the

concerned operations bureau.

* One copy to Robbery-Homicide

Division.

A follow-up report shall be
completed:

* As soon as possible, when
additional information consists of
new evidence affecting the cause of
death or when the status of the Death
Investigation Report, Form 3.11, is
changed.

* When any significant subsequent
information is reported during the
unsolved status of the homicide after
an initial homicide progress report
has been submitted.

* At the end of six months and at the
end of one year from the date of the
crime on all unsolved homicides.

* After the first year as additional

information becomes available.

Solved Homicides.

homicide case is solved, the

investigating officer shall submit a

Follow-up Report, Form 3.14,

containing the following information:

When a

710.20 (CONTINUED)

* Synopsis of the occurrence (who,
what, when, where, how).

*

Suspect(s)- Defendant(s).
* Investigative information positively
identifying the suspect(s).
*

M.O. used by the suspect(s).
*Criminal charges filed and/or

warrant information.
*Postmortem examination
information--cause of death.

Crimes or Incidents Reclassified as
Criminal Homicides. When a

reported crime or incident is
reclassified as a criminal homicide,

the assigned detective shall:*
Complete a Preliminary Investigation
Report (PIR), Form 3.1, for
“Murder” when the incident was
originally reported on a Death
Investigation Report, Form 3.11;
Injury Report, Form 3.15; or Missing
Person Investigation Report, Form

3.16; OR,

*

Submit a Follow-up Report, Form

3.14, reclassifying the original PIR to
“Murder” along with the fact sheet of

the original PIR; AND,* Prepare a
Death Investigation Report, if not
previously completed.

*

If the original report was a Death
Investigation Report, the classification
shall be changed to “homicide.”

All reports shall contain the DR
number of the original crime or

incident.

Exception: If the original crime has
been cleared before the death of the
victim occurs, or if the death
occurred in a calendar year other than
that in which the original report was
completed, the subsequent Death
Investigation Report, Follow-up
Report, and/or Preliminary
Investigation Report shall be
assigned a new DR number.

710.30 MURDER BOOK.

Murder Books shall be used exclusively
for homicide investigations.

The Forms 3.11.1 through 3.11.7

(5/3.11.1)
Murder Book when used in a homicide
investigation. When the forms are
used in other than a homicide
investigation, they are to be maintained
in the appropriate case folder.

are to be maintained in the

712. MISSING/FOUND
PERSONS.

712.10 MISSING/FOUND
PERSONS.
Employee-- Responsibilities. When

any person, resident or non-resident
of Los Angeles, is reported missing,
the employee conducting the
preliminary investigation shall:

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712.10 (CONTINUED)

* Request advice from the Missing
Persons Detail, Detective Headquarters
Division;

* Complete a Missing/Found Persons
Investigation, Form 3.16, without

delay; and

Note: Parental abductions shall be

accepted as missing persons cases.

* Provide the person reporting a
Department of Justice (DOJ)
Dental/Skeletal Release Form, SS­8567; or in the case of a missing

juvenile, a DOJ Dental/Skeletal

Photograph and Description Release
Form (reverse side of SS-8567); and
comply with procedures A-C.

Note: The California Penal Code
requires law enforcement agencies to

take missing persons reports (Form

3.16) telephonically. However, this
should not be done routinely. The
reporting
make the report at the nearest law
enforcement facility unless the reporting
person is unable, i.e., disabled.

the Area Juvenile Coordinator, a

missing persons report may be taken
telephonically when it involves a
chronic juvenile runaway or
extenuating circumstances are

person should be requested to

Exception: With the approval of

present which would create a severe

hardship for the parent or guardian

attempting to complete the report.

When the Area Juvenile Coordinator is
unavailable, approval for completion of

the telephonic report shall be obtained
from the concerned Juvenile
Coordinator’s immediate supervisor.

When neither the Area Juvenile
Coordinator nor the immediate

supervisor is available, approval to
complete the telephonic report shall be
obtained from the concerned Area
patrol division watch commander.

The Missing/Found Person Telephone
Report, Form 3.16.2, shall only be used
by investigative personnel as an interim
report while the Missing/Found
Persons Investigation, Form 3.16, is
being processed.

Resident of Los Angeles. If the

missing person (juvenile or adult) is a
City of Los Angeles resident and was
last seen outside the City, the employee
completing the Missing/Found Persons
Investigation, Form 3.16, shall
immediately notify
having jurisdiction of the location

where the person was last seen and
record the name of the person and
agency notified in the narrative portion
of the report.

the

outside agency

712.10 (CONTINUED)

Notwithstanding other provisions set
forth in this Order, the employee
entering any missing person
information into NCIC shall record

the NCIC nine digit entry verification

number in the “NCIC
revised Form 3.16.

#"

box on the

Non-Resident of Los Angeles.

When any non-resident of the City of
Los Angeles is reported missing, the

employee conducting the preliminary

investigation shall complete a
Missing/Found Persons Investigation,
Form 3.16, without delay and
immediately notify and forward a
copy of the report to the outside
agency having jurisdiction over the
person’s residence address and, if
applicable, the jurisdiction where the
missing person was last seen. The
employee shall record the name of
each person and agency notified in
the narrative portion of the report.

712.30 FOUND/UNIDENTIFIED
PERSONS.
Employee-Responsibilities. Any

I

Department employee receiving
information concerning a

found/unidentified person who
cannot be reunited with family or

friends during the preliminary
investigation, shall:

* Request advice from the Missing

Persons
Headquarters Division:

* Complete a Found/Missing Persons
Investigation, Form 3.16; and
* Ensure that the disposition of the
individual is noted in the narrative of
the report.

Detail,

Detective

Investigating Officer--Responsibilities.

An officer receiving a Found/Unidentified
Persons Report shall, in addition to
established Procedures, ensure that the
appropriate information is entered into the

Person

Unidentified

Note: NCIC routinely completes a
cross-search between the Unidentified
Persons File and the Missing Persons
File in an effort to locate missing
persons.

File, NCIC.

733. INFORMANTS.

733.10

INFORMANTS-

OFFICERS’ RESPONSIBILITY.

All officers shall disclose to their
commanding officers the identities of
informants from whom the officers
are receiving information.

Whenever practicable, an officer
shall telephonically check the
Undesirable Informant File, which is
accessible during normal business
hours, when:

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733.10 (CONTINUED)

* He intends to conduct an investigation

based on information supplied by:

* An untested informant, OR

* A formerly reliable informant with
whom the officer has had no contact
for a period of at least three months.

* He believes that an informant may
be supplying information to another
investigative unit within the
Department.

733.20 UNDESIRABLE
INFORMANT FILE.

The commanding officer of each
Area or each specialized investigative
division shall, when an informant
proves himself to be undesirable,
forward a completed Form 5.10,
including details of the informant’s
undesirability, to the Office of
Special Services. The words
“Undesirable Informant” shall be

placed in the left margin.
Investigating officers shall not
conduct investigations based solely
upon information supplied by an
informant whose name appears in the
Undesirable Informant File without

The

be responsible for maintaining the

Department-wide

Informant File.

approval of a staff officer.

Criteria for classifying an informant
When the magnitude of an

investigation necessitates the possible

as undesirable shall include; but no

be limited to:
use of a known undesirable

informant, the investigating officer’s
commanding officer shall be advised
and shall contact his immediate
superior at the staff level. The
concerned staff officer shall ensure
that a thorough investigation into the
undesirable informant’s background
is conducted and shall be responsible
for evaluating the results of the
investigation and deciding whether to
act upon information supplied by a
known undesirable informant.

* Acting in anyway which would
endanger the life of an officer, OR
* Revealing the identity of any
officer or the existence of an
investigation to suspects during an
investigation, OR
* Attempting to use the Department
to further his own criminal
objectives, OR

* Alienating one police agency
against another by giving false or
misleading information to either or
both agencies.

Office

of Special Services shall

Undesirable

733.20 (CONTINUED)

Note: The mere unreliability of an

informant shall not necessarily
qualify him for inclusion in the
Undesirable Informant File.

The Director, Office of Special
Services, shall make the final
determination as to the names of
informants placed in the Undesirable
Informant File.

Whenever an officer queries the

Undesirable Informant File and there
is an entry under the informant’s

name, the Office of Special Services

shall record the following

information on the appropriate Office
of Special Services forms:

*

The name and assignment of the
officer requesting information;
* The type of investigation;
* Whether or not the undesirable
informant is to be used, and,
*

The name and assignment of the

staff officer approving the use of the
undesirable informant.

780.

VEHICLES­INVESTIGATION AND
RELEASE.

780.10 AREA OF
IMPOUN

DMENT-DEFINED.

The area of impoundment is defined
as the area in which the vehicle is
actually stored.

780.15 PRESENT
DEFINED.

OWNER-

The present owner of a vehicle is
defined as the registered owner on
the records of the Department of

Motor Vehicles.

Exception: When the registered
owner on record has transferred his
ownership rights, the present owner
is the last person to whom equity or
ownership of the vehicle has been
transferred.

780.77 HOLD ON
TWO DAY LIMIT.

VEHICLE-

An impounded vehicle shall not be
held for investigation longer than two
business days.

Exception: The supervisor (Detective
II or higher) of the investigator
responsible for the release may
authorize an extension when specific
circumstances warrant.

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