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Commission adopts updated prisoner handling order requiring seat-belting, observation and medical checks
Summary
The commission adopted General Order 5.18 consolidating prior bulletins and requiring constant observation in patrol vehicles, seat-belting of prisoner occupants except in articulable circumstances, and medical evaluation after use of extended-range impact weapons.
The San Francisco Police Commission voted on May 8 to adopt a revised General Order 5.18 governing prisoner handling and transportation. The order consolidates four departmental bulletins and two field-operations orders and codifies several practices: constant observation of prisoners in patrol vehicles (unless exigent circumstances exist), mandatory medical evaluation prior to booking for people struck with extended-range impact weapons, and seat-belting of prisoners in patrol vehicles unless the person is combative or other articulated reasons apply.
The order also includes guidance for transporting transgender or gender-ambiguous detainees, instructing officers to follow the more protective provisions applicable to female detainees when gender cannot be clearly determined, and to transport such individuals separately when necessary to mitigate risk. Commissioners asked about custody handoffs to the sheriff's department and whether the San Francisco Police Department remains responsible for ensuring medical assessment prior to transfer; department staff said the arresting department retains responsibility to perform required medical evaluations before booking and before turnover.
Commissioner Joe Marshall moved adoption and Commissioner D'Auzu seconded; the order was adopted "without objection." The department said the updates reflect prior work with the Human Rights Commission and other stakeholders and were designed to reduce risk and standardize practice.
