301.07 - 301.08 Vehicle Pursuits

Question 1

What is the Purpose of The General Orders Over Vehicle Pursuits?

Answer 1

“Purpose - The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for making decisions with regards to vehicle pursuits.”

GO 301.07 (A)

Question 2

Before initiating a pursuit what conclusion must an officer officer make and why?

Answer 2

“Initiating or participating in a vehicular pursuit presents a danger to the officers involved, the suspect, and the general public. Accordingly, the decision to initiate a pursuit must be based on the pursuing officer’s conclusion that the immediate danger to the officer, piblic and suspect created by the pusuit is less than the immediate or potential danger to the public should the suspect remain at large.”

GO 301.07 (B)

Question 3

What is the definition of Pursuit?

Answer 3

A Pursuit is defined as an active attempt by an officer in an authorized emergency vehicle to apprehend a fleeing suspect in a motor vehicle who its attempting to elude the officer.

GO 301.07 (C)

Question 4

When is a suspect considered to be fleeing during a pursuit?

Answer 4

A suspect is considered to be fleeing upon making any overt action intended to avoid arrest.

GO 301.07 (C)

Question 5

Are vehicles that fail to yield and are following all traffic laws considered to be fleeing?

Answer 5

“For the purpose of this order, violators who follow all traffic regulations after an officer initiates a traffic stop and merely failing to yield to the authorized emergency vehicle are not considered to be fleeing.”

GO 301.07 (C)

Question 6

What is the term chase considered synonymous with?

Answer 6

“The term chase will be considered synonymous with ‘Pursuit.’”

GO 301.07 (C)

Question 7

What must an officer base his decision to pursue on?

Answer 7

The decision to pursue must be based upon facts and circumstances known to the Officer.

GO 301.07 (D)(1)

Question 8

What Pursuit risk factors must an Officer take into consideration prior to iniating a pursuit?

Answer 8

a. road, weather, and enviromental considerations
b. population density, vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
c. realitive performance capabilities of both the authorized emergency vehicle and the suspect’s vehicle.
d. seriousness of the offense.
e. presence of other persons in the police vehicle.
f. agae of offender.
g. whether or not the offender’s identity is known.
h. any circumstance under which the pursuing officer will be unable to maintain control of the emergency vehicle.

GO 301.07 (D)(2)

Question 9

Under what circumstances may an officer initiate a persuit?

Answer 9

a. when the officer has probable cause to believe that a felony involving the use or threat of physical force or violence has been, or is about to be, committed.
b. to assist another law enforcement agency that has initiated a pursuit under the same circumstances.
c. an outside agency has initiated a pusuit which has entered the City of Dallas and there is only one Police vehicle involved.
d. an officer on-views a suspect discharge a firearm in a public place or displays a firearm in a public place in a threatening manner.
e. the officer reasonably believes that the immediate need to apprehend the offender outweighs the risk to any person of collision, injury or death.
f. all other pursuits are prohibited.

GO 301.07 (D)(3)

Question 10

what must be operating at all times during the pursuit, operating Code 3?

Answer 10

The emergency warning lights, siren, and emergency vehicle headlights will be used at all times while operating Code 3.

GO 301.07 (E)(1)

Question 11

are any vehicle not owned by DPD allowed in the pursuit?

Answer 11

Only police vehicles equipped with operable emergency warning lights and sirens will participate in the pursuit of a fleeing vehicle.

GO 301.07 (E)(2)

Question 12

can any police vehicle without roof mounted lights become involved in a pursuit?

Answer 12

Unmarked vehicles without roof mounted emergency light system will not become involved in a pursuit. Supervisors un unmarked vehicles will follow the chase using a Code 1 response.

GO 301.07 (E)(3)

Question 13

Can a motorcycle initiate a pursuit and when will they abandon a pursuit?

Answer 13

If a pursuit is initiated by a motorcycle the motorcycle will abandon the pursuit when a four wheeled unit with roof mounted emergency warning light system joins the pursuit.

GO 301.07 (E)(4)

Question 14

Can vehicle with non-police passenger become part of a pursuit?

Answer 14

Vehicles with passengers (prisoners, witnesses, suspects, complainants or other non-police personnel who have not signed a waiver of liability) will not become engaged in a pursuit.

GO 301.07 (E)(5)

Question 15

Can the Paddy waggon become involved in a pursuit?

Answer 15

Paddy Wagons will not become engaged in pursuits.

GO 301.07 (E)(6)

Question 16

When will a pursuit be terminated?

Answer 16

1. Pursuing officers shall continually asses the pursuit risk factors and terminate the pursuit when the danger to the officer, public or suspect becomes greater than the immediate need to apprehend the suspect.
2. If visual contact is lost other than momentarily, officers will discontinue pursuit.
3. Officers will terminate a pursuit when directed to do so by a supervisor.

GO 301.07 (F)

Question 17

Once the decision has been made to terminate a pursuit what will officers immediately do?

Answer 17

One the decision has been made to terminate a pursuit, officers will immediately disengage emergency warning lights and siren and reduce to Code 1.

GO 301.07 (F)(4)

Question 18

What are Prohibited Practices during a pursuit?

Answer 18

1. Setting up road blocks
2. attempting to force the vehicle from the roadway by driving along side or in front of the fleeing vehicle.
3. bumping or ramming the fleeing vehicle in an attempt to force it from the road.
4. Discharging weapons at a moving vehicle unless an occupant of the vehicle is using or attempting to use deadly force on an officer or other persons.
5. Pursuing the wrong way on any freeway, one-way service road, one-way street, or divided roadway.
6. following so closely that adequate reaction and braking time is insufficient to prevent collision with any leading vehicle.

GO 301.07 (G)