Current Pursuit Policy

At the Special Meeting, Deputy Chief David Doan presented the Department's current policy which are detailed in Special Order No. 24, August 7, 1998. The policy requires officers and a supervisor to consider eight factors before initiating a pursuit (see below).

Here are some of the highlights which currently apply:

.. ..Initiation of a Vehicle Pursuit:
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A pursuit should be initiated only when a law violator clearly exhibits an intention to avoid arrest by using a vehicle to flee. In order to diminish the likelihood of a pursuit, officers intending to stop a vehicle shall, when practicable, be within close proximity to the vehicle before attempting the stop. When circumstances indicate a high potential for a pursuit, e.g., felony want on vehicle, possible stolen vehicle, felony suspect, officers shall determine the availability and estimated time of arrival of an air unit and, if tactically possible, wait for its arrival prior to initiating the vehicle stop. Additionally, officers should request a back-up unit.

.. ..Primary Unit Responsibilities:
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The responsibility of the officers in the primary unit is the apprehension of the suspect without unreasonably endangering themselves or others. Unless relieved by a supervisor, the senior officer in the primary unit shall be responsible for controlling the pursuit tactics. The senior officer’s responsibilities also include the decision to become involved in a pursuit, whether more than two units should join the pursuit, and whether the pursuit should be terminated.

.. ..Secondary Unit Responsibilities:
.. .. ..~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The secondary unit shall be responsible for backing up the primary unit and broadcasting pertinent information at the termination of the pursuit.

.. ..Supervisory Responsibilities:
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The watch commander or a supervisor from the primary unit's command shall maintain management control of the pursuit. The supervisor shall monitor the pursuit and continuously assess the situation and ensure that the pursuit is conducted within Department guidelines. If necessary, the supervisor shall assert control by directing specific units out of the pursuit, reassigning the primary or secondary units, assigning an available air unit, or terminating the pursuit. Code Three vehicle operation is authorized for the supervisor, at the supervisor's discretion, to properly monitor and direct the pursuit.


Factors to be considered

The eight factors that officers and supervisors need to consider before initiating a pursuit are:

.. ..1) whether vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic safety is unreasonably comprised

.. ..2) the traffic conditions: volume of vehicular traffic, volume of pedestrian traffic, and road conditions

.. ..3) the nature of the area of the pursuit: residential, commercial, or rural

.. ..4) whether the suspect can be apprehended at a later time

.. ..5) if weather conditions such as rain, fog, snow, etc., create an unreasonable risk of injury to the public or the pursuing officers

.. ..6) the seriousness of the crime and its relationship to community safety

.. ..7) whether the lack or quality of communication between the primary unit and Communications Division or the primary unit and a supervisor causes an unreasonable risk to the public

.. ..8) the familiarity of the primary pursuing unit with the area of the pursuit