SAPD Open Data Initiative

Message from the Chief

To provide for greater transparency, build trust, and facilitate community engagement, the San Antonio Police Department has initiated the Open Data Initiative. The purpose of this program is to share information with the community on a variety of police subjects and activities, and general policy issues to include:

  • Internal Affairs Formal & Line Complaints
  • Use of Force incidents
  • Officer Involved Shooting Incidents
  • Police Vehicular Pursuits
  • Racial Profiling data
  • Department Sworn Member Demographics
  • Department General Manual Procedure on Use of Force

The Open Data Initiative is implemented with the information contained in this web portal and, through departmental and community feedback, we will continue to add information as it is developed. We believe that this initiative will increase trust and communication between the nearly 3,000 sworn and civilian members of the San Antonio Police Department and the community with whom we live and serve.

William P. McManus, Chief of Police
San Antonio Police Department

Internal Affairs

800 Dolorosa #402
San Antonio, TX, 78207
210.207.7365

Hours

Monday – Friday
 7:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Internal Affairs Mission Statement

The San Antonio Police Department accepts all complaints, regardless of form, source, or substance, and initiates investigative action appropriate to the seriousness of the complaint. 

Therefore, the Internal Affairs Unit is committed to investigate thoroughly, objectively and without prejudice all reports of misconduct in an effort to 

  • uphold the principles of accountability; 
  • to foster and maintain trust between the department and the community; and 
  • to achieve the desired degree of organizational excellence

Immigration Policy

Formal Complaints - 2018 Vs. 2019 YTD

Formal Complaint

A complaint on an officer for conduct that exhibits a significant variance from behavioral expectations established through formal training, departmental rules, regulations, policies, or procedures which regulate a sworn member's conduct. These complaints are investigated by Internal Affairs investigators who forward their findings to a board comprised of police officers and private citizens. This board reviews the investigators’ findings, then makes a recommendation to the Chief of Police as to the discipline that should be imposed on the officer if it is determined that the officer indeed engaged in misconduct. Some examples of formal complaints include: excessive use of force; engaging in criminal conduct; failure to perform police responsibilities.

2018 2019 %Change
Formal Complaint 161 81 -49.7%

1 January - 22 November

Line Complaints - 2018 Vs. 2019 YTD

LINE COMPLAINT

Generally constitutes a complaint against an officer for minor variances from rules, regulations, and/or policies. Line complaints are investigated by an officer’s immediate supervisor and that supervisor makes a recommendation to the Chief of Police as to the discipline that should be imposed on the officer if it is determined that the officer indeed violated departmental rules, regulations, or policies. Some examples of line complaints include: courtesy, rudeness; and quality of service provided by an officer.

2018 2019 %Change
Line Complaints 435 405 -6.9%

1 January - 22 November

Use of Force Incidents - 2018  Vs. 2019 YTD

Use of Force Incidents

The San Antonio Police Department requires its officers to exhibit a sense of prudent judgment derived from departmental training, acquired knowledge, skills, and ability in the exercise or application of any level of force. Officers are trained and required to use only the level of force necessary to accomplish a lawful police objective. Every officer that uses force is required to report such use in writing. In addition, the Department also requires supervisors to respond to the scene of use of force incidents and to review all Use of Force Reports, to ensure the application of force conforms to established guidelines and departmental policy and procedures.

2018 2019 %Change
Use of Force Incidents 470 427 -9.1%

1 January - 22 November


Note: the number of Use of Force reports does not necessarily equate to use of force complaints. The use of force number indicates the frequency that officers reported and documented using force during a police incident.

The links below provide access to current San Antonio Police Department General Manual procedures by topic. These were updated on July 1, 2019 and will be updated periodically as changes and/or additions occur.

Section 100 Preface  
  Foreword 10-05-15
  Statement of Philosophy 10-05-15
  Law Enforcement Code of Ethics 10-05-15
  Vision 10-05-15
  Mission 10-05-15
  Guiding Principles 10-05-15
Section
200 Rules and Regulations 07-24-15
SECTION Technical Procedures  
401 Offense/Incident/Supplemental Reports 12-05-19
402 Differential Police Response 12-21-16
403 Communications 12-21-16
404 Forms Control 07-31-10
405 Computer Systems 07-31-10
406 Communications Holds, Transcripts, and Copies 07-31-10
407 Automated Field Reporting 05-04-12
408 Digital Photography 07-31-10
409 Mobile Video Recording 01-31-17
410 Body Worn Cameras 12-05-19
411 Detention Center Phone Recordings 03-29-17
 
SECTION Arrest Procedures  
501 Use of Force 03-11-17
502 Warrantless Arrests, Searches, and Seizures 07-31-10
503 Obtaining and Executing Arrest Warrants 12-05-19
504 Execution of Search Warrants 12-05-19
505 Misdemeanor Citation Release 07-01-19
506 Traffic Law Enforcement 03-11-15
507 D.W.I. Arrests 07-06-16
508 Field Contacts 12-05-19
509 Legal Asset Seizure 09-19-18
510 Carrying of Handguns 07-06-16
511 Debriefing of Arrested Persons 07-31-10
512 Electronic Control Devices 03-19-18
Section
Glossary 12-05-19