Per city code, the SFPSP patrolled the streets of San Francisco and fixed locations, and also provided a range of other safety services as requested by private clients.

The SFPSP was one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the United States, having been founded in 1847 shortly before the California Gold Rush.

[2][3][4][5][6] The SFPSP employed non-sworn private patrol officers, appointed and regulated by the San Francisco Police Commission after an initial background review by the SFPD.

They had access to SFPD radio feeds and were trained annually for 24 hours of classroom instruction and twice on a shooting range, according to standards set by the Police Chief.

Patrol Specials were required, by tradition and practice, to respect and consider the distinct tenor and character of the neighborhood they are assigned to.

Patrol Specials were intended to become trusted and valued members of neighborhoods, interacting with local residents and business owners.

Each beat owner would determine if they would fund a health and/or retirement plan for Assistant Patrol Special Police Officers.

Clients reported Patrol Specials were consistently professional and courteous, understood residential life and the neighborhood, and responded quickly and effectively to concerns that the SFPD was unlikely to address.

[15][16] Logs of daily activities were introduced in 2010 on the officers' support group website, as a form of increased transparency between the SFPSP and the public.