San Francisco Police Commission adopts new domestic‑violence orders, including strict policy for officer‑involved cases

The San Francisco Police Commission on Oct. 8 unanimously adopted sweeping changes to how the San Francisco Police Department responds to domestic‑violence incidents and how it handles allegations that involve department members.

The commission approved revisions to Department General Order 6.09, which clarify language‑access duties, expand lethality and child‑safety considerations, and set new documentation and victim‑privacy protocols. Commissioners also adopted a separate, new Department General Order 6.2 that creates a mandatory, step‑by‑step response when an SFPD member is the restrained party, including immediate isolation, surrender of firearms and department devices, suspension of database access, and parallel criminal and administrative investigations.

Why it matters: The two orders are intended to give officers clearer, uniform guidance in the field while improving protections for victims and children and reducing the chance that department access or rank interferes with investigations. Advocates called the policies a significant step forward but urged monitoring for unintended consequences—especially the impact of notifications to Family and Children Services (FCS).

Key details and commitments - The department has expanded the Special Victims Unit (SVU) staffing: "We've built the unit to 49 investigators," Captain Teresa Gracie told the commission, describing a recent round of hires and added supervisory capacity. - DGO 6.09 requires officers to provide language assistance to limited‑English‑proficiency victims and document provision of emergency protective orders in the victim's language when available. The order narrows the factors that trigger mandatory FCS notification to higher‑threshold lethality and child‑safety indicators, rather than broad, ambiguous criteria. - Under DGO 6.2, a member named as a restrained party must notify their commanding officer immediately and surrender department firearms, ID and electronic devices; supervisors and internal affairs units must follow a prescribed notification chain and preserve evidence. The order also bars officers from appearing in uniform at court proceedings related to such cases unless specifically authorized.

Public input and oversight Numerous advocates, child‑welfare and youth representatives supported the orders but pressed for plain‑language materials for families, shared data, and early review. Adele Veil Carpenter of the Youth Commission asked the department to establish a memorandum of understanding with FCS covering data on referrals, demographics and outcomes; Chief Gregory P. committed to convene a working group and to review the policy and data in six months.

The commission recorded unanimous roll‑call votes to approve both items. The motion to adopt DGO 6.09 passed on roll call and the commission then moved immediately to consider and adopt DGO 6.2; both motions carried without dissent.

What officials said "There is no excuse for domestic violence," Chief Gregory P. told the audience as he endorsed the policy changes and thanked community partners and the Police Officers Association for participating in drafting the new order.

Next steps Chief officials and community groups agreed to implement roll‑call training, finalize a plain‑language referral/notification handout to give to families, and return to the commission with data and proposed metrics within six months to assess any disparate impacts and whether the new notification procedures are producing the intended connection to services rather than chilling reporting.

Vote at a glance - DGO 6.09 (Domestic Violence General Order) — Approved by unanimous roll call. - DGO 6.2 (Member‑involved domestic violence) — Approved by unanimous roll call.

The commission adjourned after routine procedural business.