Office of Citizen Complaints

Policy Recommendations

Reference: 0027-98

SUBJECT: Need for formal training or guidance to be issued to officers regarding appropriate procedures for updating or correcting citations issued.

RECOMMENDATION:
The OCC recommends that the San Francisco Police Department develop formal training for, and provide clear, written guidelines to, members of the Department regarding how to correct information on a citation being issued.

BACKGROUND:
The complainant in this case was issued and, upon request, signed the citation. After the complainant signed the citation, the officer determined that incorrect information was presented and changed that information by drawing through one street name and writing in different information. The complainant was then presented with the corrected citation. She did not sign the citation again.

The officer involved admitted that he altered the citation after the complainant signed it. He stated that there was no SFPD procedures for how to correct errors made on citations. During the course of the OCC investigation, an interview was conducted with the Department Academy instructor for citation writing. He stated that there is no written procedure on the correct way to alter citations and that such material is only covered where specifically asked about by a student in the course.

Case Investigated by: EILEEN GRADY, Investigator
Reviewed by: ROBERT JANISSE, Chief Investigator
Approved by: MARY C. DUNLAP, Director
Date: June 29, 1998

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