BART’s board of directors opted to delay action Thursday on a policy that would have set guidelines for when the agency could shut down cellphone service.

Several BART directors expressed concern about the language of the proposed cellphone shutdown policy.

During an August meeting, the group made an unofficial declaration that the agency should only shut down service in the event of extraordinary events, such as terrorists attacks. The wording in the resolution up for vote on Thursday left too much room for interpretation, according to several board members.

BART general manager Grace Crunican and her staff said they would reword the resolution to clear up any confusing passages and bring it back to the BART board in a few weeks.

BART has faced international scrutiny and criticism since its decision on Aug. 11 to shut down cellphone service in four San Francisco stations as a means to prevent a planned protest. Demonstrators had been planning an event that day to protest the shooting of 45-year-old Charles Hill by BART police officers.

wreisman@sfexaminer.com