Police Pursuit Procedures

The primary goal of a police pursuit is to apprehend the offender without causing unnecessary harm to officers, civilians, or property.

A police vehicle using its sirens and flashing lights while responding to an emergency or pursuing a suspect.

Considering all relevant factors to determine if actions are safe and justifiable, especially in situations with potential hazards.

A situation where there's a high chance of death, injury, or property damage, and police action might prevent or lessen the severity.

A police vehicle with both emergency lights and sirens activated at the same time.

A driver stops the vehicle due to a law enforcement signal but does not display attempts to evade or flee.

A vehicle stops after receiving a law enforcement signal but then accelerates away to avoid apprehension.

A police officer must carefully assess the risks associated with a pursuit and consider whether the potential benefits of apprehension outweigh the danger.

Using force to stop a fleeing vehicle, including tactics like firearms, roadblocks, ramming, and tire deflation devices.

The officer who first tries to stop the fleeing vehicle.

The police vehicle closest to the suspect vehicle during a pursuit, equipped with emergency lights and sirens.

An active attempt by a law enforcement officer in a police vehicle to apprehend a fleeing suspect.

The level of care expected from a prudent officer facing a similar situation.

A police vehicle participating in the pursuit and following immediately behind the primary unit.

The pursuit officer deliberately creating distance between their vehicle and the suspect vehicle to encourage slowing down.

Police back-up units not directly involved in the chase and not using emergency lights.

The end of a police pursuit, when the suspect stops, is unable to continue, or the officers use tactics to stop the pursuit.

The decision to initiate pursuit is based on the officer's belief that the immediate danger posed by the pursuit is less than the danger posed by the suspect remaining at large.

Justification for pursuit requires the officer to clearly explain why immediate apprehension is necessary.

Any law enforcement officer in an authorized emergency vehicle can initiate a pursuit if the suspect clearly attempts to avoid apprehension.

The officer must consider factors like the severity of the offense, road conditions, traffic, vehicle capabilities, and officer safety.

Officers must use due regard for the safety of everyone involved and prioritize public safety during pursuits.

Officers should never chase suspects the wrong way down a freeway or divided highway.

An unmarked vehicle, motorcycle, or enduro motorcycle, or even a marked full-size SUV, can initiate a pursuit only in a serious emergency situation. This means the fleeing vehicle poses a direct and immediate threat to life.

If a pursuit is started by an unmarked vehicle, a marked police car should take over as soon as possible. This minimizes risk and ensures clear identification.

A patrol supervisor who starts a pursuit should hand over control to the first standard marked unit that joins. This lets the supervisor stay objective in the pursuit or whether to end it.

Once a pursuing unit comes under aerial surveillance or another unit takes over primary control, they become secondary. The primary unit focuses on coordinating and managing the pursuit.

No police cars should join a chase unless a supervisor approves. This prevents confusion, potential accidents, and unnecessary risk.

A 'slack pursuit' allows officers to intentionally slow down the chase. This reduces risk for everyone involved.

Roadblocks and ramming are only allowed in the most critical situations, when using deadly force is justified, and only after all other options are considered.

Officers using roadblocks must ensure adequate stopping distance for the suspect vehicle and prioritize the safety of civilians and non-involved motorists.

Shooting at a moving vehicle is only allowed under very specific circumstances: when the vehicle is used to threaten someone with deadly force, or the driver intentionally targets someone with their vehicle, and all other options are exhausted.

Police vehicles involved in a pursuit must immediately end their chase if they sustain significant damage or have a malfunctioning system. Communication is key to ensure another unit can take over.

The primary pursuit unit is responsible for coordinating and controlling the pursuit tactics until a supervisor takes over. This includes deciding whether to continue the chase and requesting additional units when needed.

The officer in charge of the primary unit must notify dispatch of important information, including unit identification, location, speed, vehicle details, and the reason for the pursuit. Failing to do so could end the chase.

The primary unit continuously assesses the situation and must terminate pursuit when the risks outweigh the need to apprehend the suspect, or if ordered by a supervisor.

When an officer is driving an unmarked vehicle and is initiating a pursuit, they must relinquish the primary pursuit position to a marked vehicle if one is available. Unmarked vehicles should serve a support role during the pursuit.

The smaller, police pursuit-rated cross-over Interceptor-type SUVs being added to the fleet are not considered 'full-size SUVs' when regarding the pursuit initiation policy, as they are intended for patrol service. Only the 'full-size' SUVs, such as the Expedition or Tahoe, qualify.

A police pursuit is a dangerous situation that requires careful planning and execution. Field supervisors are responsible for overseeing all aspects of a pursuit and making crucial decisions about whether to continue or terminate the chase.

A supervisor's role is to ensure that a radio channel is used for communication, that the ongoing situation is assessed and that appropriate pursuit tactics are employed.

Supervisors consider various factors before adding more vehicles to a pursuit, including the nature of the crime, the number of suspects and any potential for violence, and available resources.

In cases where a supervisor is directly involved in the chase (as the primary or secondary unit), a non-involved supervisor takes over control and makes the final decision about continuing the pursuit.

The decision to continue a pursuit is based on assessing the risks and benefits. A supervisor may order the pursuit to end when the apprehension risk outweighs the dangers of continuing.

Stop Sticks are placed strategically on the road to puncture a vehicle's tires and bring it to a halt. Supervisors decide when and where to use this method.

A supervisor's role is to monitor and ensure that the pursuit adheres to department policies and procedures, similar to the field supervisor.

Unless a field supervisor specifically authorizes it, only assigned primary and backup vehicles can engage in a pursuit.

Following a pursuit on parallel streets is only permitted if a supervisor deems it safe and practical, and the pursuit can be carried out without jeopardizing other traffic.

During the pursuit, all units involved should communicate on the same radio channel to maintain order and coordination.

Once a pursued vehicle is stopped, officers should prioritize safety and use only reasonable and necessary force when apprehending suspects.

A pursuit may continue into another jurisdiction, but only under specific conditions, such as an endangered life, a felony crime, or permission from the field supervisor.

Before continuing a pursuit into another jurisdiction, the pursuing officer must notify the communications unit and request assistance if needed.

When a pursuit extends into another jurisdiction, the responsible supervisor (or primary unit if a supervisor is unavailable) must determine whether the other jurisdiction should take over the chase.

Factors like the distance involved, the speed of the pursuit, and the pursuing officer's familiarity with the new area all influence the decision to handover the pursuit.

During a pursuit, the primary unit should gradually reduce their pursuit level to become a backup unit when another vehicle takes over the primary pursuit responsibility.

The second unit entering the pursuit must immediately notify the dispatch center, activate emergency lights and siren, and take responsibility for radio communication between dispatch and pursuing units.

The secondary unit plays a crucial role in maintaining communication between the primary unit and dispatch, freeing up the primary unit to concentrate on driving and keeping the pursued vehicle in sight.

The secondary unit should follow the primary unit at a safe distance and should NOT pass the primary unit unless specifically instructed to do so by a supervisor.

The secondary unit becomes the primary unit if the initial primary unit is unable to continue the pursuit or if a supervisor orders it to do so.

If the primary unit becomes involved in a foot pursuit, the secondary unit should coordinate the activities related to the foot pursuit.

Other police units should only join the pursuit if they are directly ordered to do so by their supervisor.

Officers in other units joining the pursuit must immediately notify the dispatch center, activate their emergency lights and siren and follow the primary and secondary units at a safe distance.

Other support units can be strategically positioned to cover potential escape routes of the suspect vehicle and warn nearby traffic about the approaching pursuit.

Marked support units are ready to assume responsibility as the secondary or primary unit if needed, and they can also attempt to gather information about the suspect vehicle and occupants.

If a support unit unexpectedly encounters the suspect vehicle, they should not attempt to intervene but should try to gather information about the suspect vehicle and occupants.

Aircraft support can be used to monitor and direct a prolonged vehicle pursuit, especially when it's difficult to maintain ground-level surveillance.

The flight crew of a helicopter involved in a pursuit assumes primary radio responsibilities, monitors the suspect vehicle, and provides vital information to ground units.

The helicopter crew is responsible for updating the supervisor in charge of the pursuit on the number of law enforcement units involved.

Communications personnel have key responsibilities, including receiving and recording all incoming information, initiating a "Code Red," and coordinating backup assistance under the direction of a field supervisor.

An officer may only join an outside agency's pursuit if they specifically request participation. Simple notification isn't enough.

Our agency is responsible for managing our own pursuits, even if they started in another jurisdiction.

When another agency requests our involvement, we're secondary, providing support to the primary unit. We're not taking the lead.

When another agency's unit joining the pursuit can handle the secondary role, we should disengage.

If a pursuit doesn't meet our agency's standards, we need to stop participating.

If the risk of continuing a pursuit outweighs the benefit of apprehending the suspect, we must terminate the pursuit.

Our role is to help safely apprehend the suspect. Continuing a pursuit beyond a reasonable point is dangerous.

A supervisor can end a pursuit, even if the primary officer wants to continue.

If the suspect's identity is known and there's no immediate risk, the pursuit should be ended.

A pursuit is too dangerous if it puts people at risk. It needs to end immediately.

If a pursuit is too risky because of conditions like bad weather or traffic, it needs to be stopped.

If the suspect is too far ahead, continuing the pursuit is not effective.

Following a suspect after ending a pursuit is not allowed. We need to let them go.

Restarting a pursuit requires the same standards and justification as initiating a new one.

Following a pursuit, all involved officers need to submit reports about their participation.

When a foot pursuit is in progress, communications personnel are responsible for receiving and recording all information, controlling radio communications, obtaining criminal record and warrant checks, coordinating backup assistance and air support, and notifying neighboring jurisdictions.

The decision to terminate a foot pursuit rests solely with the pursuing officer. They must consider various factors such as officer safety, public safety, and the likelihood of apprehending the violator.

Officers should only participate in pursuits initiated by other jurisdictions if requested by the other agency and their own supervisors.

Stop Sticks are a device used to safely deflate the tires of a fleeing vehicle, allowing the driver to control the vehicle to a stop. Deployment requires specific training and supervisor approval.

Before deploying Stop Sticks, the deploying officer must assess the deployment location, potential risks to pedestrians and motorists, and obtain supervisor permission.

The supervisor provides necessary information to the deploying officer, analyzes the pursuit, and ensures proper reporting and replacement of the Stop Stick device.

The deployment location should be suitable and within the path of the suspect vehicle. The deploying officer must inform pursuing units of the location and intent to deploy Stop Sticks.

Minimizing the risk of injury to people and damage to vehicles is a priority during Stop Stick deployment.

In the event of unintended damage to vehicles, the officer responsible must notify their supervisor, request assistance, and document the incident.

The pursuing officer must notify communications immediately upon terminating the pursuit, providing their location of termination.

The original pursuing jurisdiction must notify any other jurisdiction into which the pursuit extends, keeping them informed of the ongoing situation.

The pursuing officer must terminate the pursuit when instructed by a supervisor, when the danger to officers or the public outweighs apprehension, when the violator's identity is known and there's no immediate threat, when the violator's location is unknown, when a person is injured and help is unavailable, when communication is lost, when an unanticipated risk is present, when the officer is disarmed, when contact with communications is lost, or when visual contact with the violator is lost.

Stop Sticks should not be used in pursuits involving motorcycles or other two-wheeled vehicles, or when fleeing suspects have demonstrated intent to harm officers using the vehicle or a deadly weapon.

A physical chase by one or more officers on foot to detain, arrest, or take custody of a fleeing person without a vehicle.

Any person reasonably believed to have committed an offense listed in the policy.

A strategy where two or more officers work together to capture a fleeing person on foot, coordinating their efforts, positions, and communication.

An officer can attempt to stop anyone suspected of committing a crime, violation, or traffic offense.

The violator's decision to flee initiates the pursuit, not the officer attempting to stop them.

An officer can pursue a suspect if there's reasonable belief that the violator committed a crime allowing for arrest or if they pose a threat to public safety.

When deciding whether to chase, an officer should consider the likelihood of successfully capturing the suspect, whether their identity is known for potential later apprehension, and the location of backup officers.

A police officer's physical and mental fitness, familiarity with the area, and communication abilities are crucial considerations in foot pursuits.

The primary officer in a foot pursuit must immediately notify the communication center with details like the reason, direction, location, violator's description, number of suspects, and other helpful information.

The primary officer coordinates with backup officers to establish a perimeter around the area where the violator is located, containing the suspect within a designated zone.

If the violator enters a building or confined space, the primary officer should stay outside, radio their location, and await backup to establish an outer perimeter.

If a non-compliant violator is confined in a building, specialized units like K-9, SWAT, or air support may be considered for safe apprehension.

A supervisor must assess whether a foot pursuit should continue based on the severity of the crime and the potential threat to public safety or officers.

If there is reasonable belief that the violator committed a serious crime or poses a threat, the supervisor permits the pursuit to continue.

The supervisor can terminate the pursuit at any time if the risk to officers or public outweighs the need to apprehend the violator.