Home > City Departments > Police Department > FAQ's

Q: How many people work for the police department?

A: The department is staffed with a total of 17 sworn and 3 non sworn men and women.

Q: How can I get an equipment violation ticket signed off?

A: First of all, certain violations cannot be signed off. Refer to your citation or court courtesy letter for further information. If your citation can be signed off you may find any on-duty police officer who is not busy to assist you. You may also choose to come to the police station where a police officer can meet with you.  Remember! Once a citation is signed off, you must return the citation to the court listed on the citation within the time indicated. Failure to do so can result in the suspension of you driving privilege and a larger fine.

Q: What telephone number should I call for a non-emergency incident or questions?

A: If you need to talk with a dispatcher, you can dial (415) 467-1212.  If you want to contact a specific officer directly, you can call (415) 508-2181 and use the directory to leave a voicemail message.  A complete list of personnel and their phone numbers is listed on this website.

Q:  Can I ride along with an officer.

A:  The Brisbane Police Department allows citizens to ride with a police officer during a portion of their shift to experience what police work is all about.  You must be 15 years or older and juveniles under 18 must have a waiver signed by their parent or guardian.

Please contact the on-duty watch commander to schedule a date and time.

Q:  How do I report a vehicle accident?

A:  The driver of a vehicle involved in a traffic accident should immediately stop as close to the scene as possible without causing a traffic hazard. If there are injuries, the police department should be notified immediately by calling 9-1-1. If there are no injuries, the involved parties should exchange information including names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, vehicle license numbers, and insurance policy numbers.  A police report is not required by law, but if the accident occurred in Brisbane, the Brisbane Police Department will be glad to complete one for you.

The driver of any vehicle in any accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage in excess of $500 must report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles within ten days by completing a DMV SR 1 form. This form is available from the Department of Motor Vehicles or most insurance companies.

Q: What can I do about a barking dog?

A: Before reporting a dog that barks loudly and frequently, first try to contact the dog’s owner. If the problem is not resolved contact the Police Department at (415) 467-1212. The Police Department will investigate all barking dog complaints and will try to contact the owner of the dog. Many times the owner is unaware the dog is causing a problem for neighbors and is willing to take immediate action to correct the problem. We will not tell the responsible person who made the complaint. We will ask for your name and a call back number for our records, or in case we need additional information from you.

Q: What happens when I dial 9-1-1?

A: Only emergency calls should be directed to the 9-1-1 telephone number. If you are calling from a regular (wired) telephone in Brisbane, the calls go directly to the Brisbane Police Department’s 9-1-1 dispatch center. Through the 9-1-1 equipment and our Computer Aided Dispatch system, the caller's address and telephone number immediately appear on the computer screen at the dispatch center.

The Police Dispatchers are highly trained individuals that are prepared for any emergency situation. These dispatchers need to get specific information from you when you call 9-1-1. This information lets the dispatcher know what kind of response is required to deal with the emergency. (police, fire, paramedics, etc.) We will ask you what happened and where did the crime occur. We will ask you if anyone is injured, and if the injured person is in the same location. If the injured person is at a different address we will want to know where they are. We will ask you if you know the people involved in the incident. We will ask you if there are weapons involved. We will ask you for a full description of the people involved in the incident. We will ask you for associated vehicle descriptions. We may ask you to stay on the phone with us until officers arrive. We will ask you if you want to remain anonymous.

If you are calling from a Cellular Phone, your 9-1-1 call is answered by the California Highway Patrol in Vallejo. The location you are calling from DOES NOT appear on the dispatcher’s screen.  Please stay on the line.  They will transfer you to the appropriate agency after asking many of the same questions listed above

Q: Why do the dispatchers ask so many questions?

A: Dispatchers are trained to try and get as much information as possible to best determine the nature of the problem. The information provided by callers can assist the officers in determining what they will need in order to keep others safe and out of harm’s way. Also, please realize that the dispatchers are trained to perform many tasks at once, and will often be dispatching emergency response units while they are talking to you. If they ask you to hold, it is because they are dispatching help to you! We immediately dispatch the appropriate emergency response for your problem along with 1 or 2 police officers.

Q: What can I do about cars that park and never move from in front of my house?

A: The Brisbane Municipal Code states that vehicles parked on the street over 72 hours may be considered abandoned vehicles. By calling in the location and description of the vehicle to the police department at (415) 467-1212, we will come out and check to ensure that the vehicle is not stolen, and confirm that it is currently registered. The officer will then mark the vehicle for observation. This mark may not be readily visible to you, but the officer knows where to look for it. If vehicle does not move at least 1/10th of a mile, the vehicle can be ultimately towed away at the owner's expense.

It is not unlawful to park a vehicle on a public street, even in front of your house, if it is legally parked, currently registered and moves every 72 hours.

Q:  What are the white lines along most of the residential streets?

A:  These white lines are painted in areas where the roadway width is limited and are designed to provide clearance for emergency vehicles.  You may not park on or to the left of any of these white lines.  If you do, your vehicle may be towed at your expense.

Q: Does the City have any noise restrictions?

A: Yes there are, although there are several exemptions. The City Council has enacted a noise ordinance that states “It is declared to be the policy of the city that the peace, health, safety and welfare of its citizens require protection from excessive, unnecessary and unreasonable noises from any and all sources in the community subject to its police power…" Normally, noise is limited to 10db above the ambient noise level for any 15 minute period and 20db for any 3 minute period.  Construction activities can go as high as 86db above the ambient noise level, but are restricted between 7 am - 7 pm, M-F, and 9 am - 7 pm on the weekends. For more information about noise limits please give us a call.

Q:  Is there a curfew?

A:  Yes.  It is unlawful for any minor person under the age of 18 years to loiter, idle, stroll or play in any public street, public square, park, or any public place between the hours of 10 p.m. and 1/2 hour before sunrise of the following day.  This does not apply to a minor accompanied by his or her parent, guardian or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor, or where the minor is upon an emergency errand or legitimate business directed by his or her parent, guardian or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor, nor where such minor is directly proceeding to or from any place of business employment, amusement, worship or other legitimate activity.