Office of Citizen Complaints

Policy Recommendations

Reference: OCC # 0389-98; DGO 5.05¹: California Vehicle Code 27001(a) + (b)²

Subject: Use of Vehicle Horns

Recommendation: The Office of Citizen Complaints recommends that the San Francisco Police Department review training protocols and provide clear written guidelines to ensure that members are properly instructed on the appropriate use of vehicle horns.

Case Background:
Complainant, concerned for the safety of residents and a person slouched in a driveway, contacted the department. The responding officer noted, from the vantage point of the patrol car, that the person had soiled himself. The officer sounded the vehicle horn. In an OCC interview the officer stated that he had used the horn to roust the person from the driveway. The person stood up and staggered away. There was no further interaction between the officer and the person.

Investigated by: SERGEI LITVINOV, Investigator

Prepared by: RIVER GINCHILD ABEJE, Policy and Outreach Specialist

Approved by: MARY C. DUNLAP, Director

Date: July 28, 1999

¹ §II.A. Response and Pursuit Driving: Respond directly to the assignment and observe all traffic laws and regulations.

² California Vehicle Code 27001. (a) The driver of a motor vehicle when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation shall give audible warning with his horn. (b) The horn shall not otherwise be used, except as a theft alarm system which operates as specified in Article 13 (commencing with Section 28085) of this chapter.

Return to Policy Recommendations