The Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) is dedicated to being as transparent as possible with respect to our day-to-day operations and interactions with the public, while adhering to current policies, rules and guidelines of this Department. However, for safety reasons, information that is tactical or sensitive in nature has been redacted.

The Policy Manual sets forth the standards, values, and expectations of SCPD. Its policies and core values match our mission to maintain high levels of professional conduct, and are the embodiment of the Department’s concerns for ensuring effective, safe, and constitutional law enforcement.

The Policy Manual is intended to provide specific guidance and to serve as a reference to employees of SCPD. It is the responsibility of each member of the Department to comply with the Policy Manual’s rules and provisions.

Finally, the written publications of the Department are only a part of the direction provided to employees. Communication that is directive in nature from supervisory or management personnel has the same authority as any written policy.

Lexipol

SCPD transitioned to Lexipol as a means of mitigating risk and reducing staff hours spent researching and updating policy. Lexipol's Policy Manual offers a framework that contains state and federal regulations, case law, industry best standards, along with the uniqueness of individual law enforcement agencies. Lexipol Policy Manual is utilized by the majority of California Law Enforcement agencies, and Lexipol's training component satisfies the California Peace Officer Standards and Training requirements.

The Policy Manual is subject to frequent updates as regulations change. As a change occurs, the Policy Manual is adjusted and implemented by the Department. The Department uploads the most recent version of the Policy Manual to the website on a monthly basis. This website does not capture previously adopted version(s) of a policy. As a result, if you are interested in what a policy was on a specific date, a Public Records Act request will need to be requested. For additional inquiries, contact the Police Records Unit at (408)615-4700 or via email at records@santaclaraca.gov

Policy Manual - updated 10/23/24

To aide residents in locating a particular section, the Policy Manual Table of Contents is summarized below.

Table of Contents

Chief's Introduction
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
Mission Statement
Unified Expectations
Values Statement

Chapter 1 - Law Enforcement Role and Authority
100 - Law Enforcement Authority
101 - Chief Executive Officer
102 - Oath of Office
103 - Policy Manual
104 - Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

Chapter 2 - Organization and Administration
200 - Organizational Structure and Responsibility
201 - General Orders
202 - Emergency Management Plan
203 - Training Policy
204 - Electronic Mail
205 - Administrative Communications
206 - Staffing Levels
207 - License to Carry a /Firearm
208 - Retiree Concealed Firearms    

Chapter 3 - General Operations
300 - Use of Force
301 - Officer Involved Incident Review Boards\
302 - Handcuffing and Restraints
303 - Control Energy Device
304 - Conducted Electrical Device
305 - Officer Involved Shootings and Deaths
306 - Firearms
307 - Vehicle Pursuits
308 - Officer Response to Calls
309 - Canines
310 - Domestic Violence
311 - Search and Seizure
312 - Temporary Custody of Juveniles
313 - Senior and Disability Victimization
314 - Discriminatory Harassment
315 - Child Abuse
316 - Missing Persons
317 - Public Alerts
318 - Victim and Witness Assistance
319 - Hate Crimes
320 - Standards of Conduct
321 - Information Technology Use
322 - Department Use of Social Media
323 - Report Preparation
324 - Media Relations
325 - Subpoenas and Court Appearances
326 - Reserve Officers
327 - Outside Agency Assistance
328 - Registered Offender Information
329 - Major Incident Notification
330 - Death Investigation
331 - Identity Theft
332 Communications with Persons with Disabilities
333 - Private Persons Arrests
334 - Anti-Reproductive Rights Crimes Reporting
335 - Limited English Proficiency Services
336 - Mandatory Employer Notification
337 - Biological Samples
338 - Chaplains
340 - Child and Dependent Adult Safety
341 - Service Animals
342 - Volunteer Program
343 - Off-Duty Law Enforcement Actions
344 - Gun Violence Restraining Orders
345 - Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation
346 - Community Relations
347 - Adult Crossing Guards
348 - Law Enforcement Portal     
349 - Community Service Officers

Chapter 4 - Patrol Operations
401 - Bias-Based Policing
402 - Briefing Training
403 - Crime and Disaster Scene Integrity
404 - Special Response Team
405 - Ride Along Policy
406 - Hazardous Material Response
407 - Hostage and Barricade Incidents
408 - Response to Bomb Calls
409 - Crisis Intervention Incidents
410 - Mental Illness Commitments
411 - Cite and Release Policy
412 - Foreign Diplomatic and Consular Representatives
413 - Rapid Response and Deployment
414 - Immigration Violations
415 - Emergency Utility Service
416 - Aircraft Accidents
417 - Field Training Officer Program
418 - Obtaining Air Support
419 - Contacts and Temporary Detentions
420 - Criminal Organizations
421- Watch Commanders
422 - Mobile Data Computer Use
423 - Portable Audio/Video Recorders
424 - Public Recording of Law Enforcement Activity
425 - Medical Marijuana
426 - Bicycle Patrol Unit
427 - Foot Pursuits
428 - Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs)
429 - People Experiencing Homelessness
430 - First Amendment Assemblies
431 - Civil Disputes
432- Suspicious Activity Reporting
433 - Medical Aid and Response
434 - Opioid Medical Aid and Response
435 - Crisis Intervention Specialist (CIS)
436 - Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA)

Chapter 5 - Traffic Operations
500 - Traffic Function and Responsibility
501 - Traffic Collision Reporting
503 - Vehicle Towing and Release
504 - Vehicle Impound Hearings
505 - Impaired Driving
506 - Traffic Citations
507 - Disabled Vehicles
508 - 72-Hour Parking Violations

Chapter 6 - Investigation Operations
600 - Investigation and Prosecution
601 - Sexual Assault Investigations
602 - Asset Forfeiture
603 - Informants
604 - Eyewitness Identification
605 - Brady Material Disclosure
606 - Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations
607 - Warrant Service
608 - Operations Planning and Deconfliction

Chapter 7 - Equipment
700 - Department Owned and Personal Property
702 - Vehicle Maintenance
703 - Vehicle use
704 - Cash Handling, Security and Management
705 - Personal Protective Equipment
706 - Military Equipment

Chapter 8 - Support Services
800 - Crime Analysis
801 - The Communications Center
802 - Property and Evidence
803 - Records
804 - Restoration of Firearm Serial Numbers
805 - Records Maintenance and Release
806 - Protected Information
807 - Computers and Digital Evidence
808 - Animal Control
809 - Jeanne Clery Campus Security Act
810 - False Alarm Ordinance
811 - Tactical Dispatch Team

Chapter 9 - Custody
900 - Temporary Custody of Adults
901 - Custodial Searches
902 - Prison Rape Elimination        

Chapter 10 - Personnel
1000 - Recruitment and Selection
1001 - Evaluation of Employees
1002 - Special Assignments
1003 - Grievance Procedure
1004 - Anti-Retaliation
1005 - Reporting of Employee Convictions
1006 - Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace
1007 - Sick Leave
1008 - Communicable Diseases
1009 - Smoking and Tobacco Use
1010 - Personnel Complaints
1011 - Seat Belts
1012 - Body Armor
1013 - Personnel Records
1014 - Sergeants Movement Program
1015 - Commendations and Awards
1016 - Fitness for Duty
1017 - Meal Periods and Breaks
1018 - Lactation Break Policy
1019 - Payroll Records
1020 - Outside and Extra Duty Employment / Divisional Overtime and Stadium Overtime
1021 - Occupational Disease and Work-Related Injury Reporting
1022 - Personal Appearance Standards
1023 - Uniform Regulations
1024 - Police Cadets
1025 - Nepotism and Conflicting Relationships
1026 - Department Badges
1027 - Temporary Modified-Duty Assignments
1029 - Employee Speech, Expression and Social Networking
1030 - Illness and Injury Prevention
1031 - Line of Duty Deaths
1032 - Shift Trades
1033 - Disciplinary Process
1034 - Leaves of Absence and Benefits
1035 - Peer Support