3.200/3.210 Code 3 Driving & Vehicle Pursuits Flashcards
What is Code 2 used for?
lights only to stop violators,
upon arriving in an area where the siren may signal suspects,
to signal other motorists of traffic hazards,
To signal other motorists of traffic hazards when an officer is moving at a slow speed in traffic (e.g., pushing a stalled vehicle, moving at slow speed as a crime prevention tool, or making unusual movement on the roadway).
Officers must drive at the speed limit or below. When approved by a sergeant or above during an authorized motorcade
Code 2 lights are used when officers arrive in areas where sirens may signal suspects or when moving at slow speeds for various reasons.
What is the maximum speed over the posted limit for Code 3 emergency response driving?
20 mph
However, during pursuits, this cap is removed.
Under what circumstances may officers respond Code 3?
- Imminent danger to citizens and the officer’s arrival might save lives.
- Another officer requires assistance to control a volatile situation.
- Reliable information exists of a felony in progress.
- Pursuits
Code 3 involves the use of emergency lights and sirens.
What role does the field supervisor play in Code 3 responses?
Monitors the radio channel to ensure adherence to policy and can cancel or direct responses
This oversight is crucial for maintaining safety and protocol.
Fill in the blank: Officers responding to non-emergency calls will not use emergency lights and/or siren for the sole purpose of _______.
crossing intersections
This policy helps prevent unnecessary alarm and ensures proper use of emergency equipment.
What is the bubble tactic?
A non-code tactic utilized to contain a suspect in a mobile vehicle by creating a mobile perimeter.
This tactic is used to manage situations involving suspects in vehicles.
What does caravanning involve?
Intentionally traveling on the same road as pursuing units and/or suspect vehicle without adhering to all traffic laws.
Caravanning is prohibited.
Who is responsible for the management of a vehicular pursuit?
The monitoring supervisor.
This individual oversees the bubble tactic and air unit surveillance of a suspect vehicle that meets pursuit criteria.
What is paralleling in the context of vehicular pursuits?
Intentionally traveling on adjacent streets to remain parallel with the pursuit and/or suspect vehicle without adhering to all traffic laws.
Paralleling is prohibited.
Pursuit
An active attempt by an officer in an authorized emergency vehicle, using lights and siren, to apprehend a suspect failing to yield after due notice or attempting to avoid apprehension.
The suspect’s driving must present a clear and immediate danger.
Under what conditions will a pursuit be authorized?
Violent felony offense
The suspect presents a clear and immediate danger to the public.
Violent felony offenses typically include serious crimes such as murder, assault, and robbery.
What should a unit do when discontinuing a vehicular pursuit?
Immediately cease emergency operations, reduce speed, and discontinue visual contact with the suspect vehicle
This applies when ordered by a supervisor or when the pursuit is discontinued.
What must be broadcasted over the radio when a pursuit is discontinued?
The discontinuance of pursuit and that there is no longer visual contact of the suspect vehicle
This ensures communication with other units and dispatch.
What must an officer articulate to initiate a vehicular pursuit?
A clear and immediate danger to the public
Violent felony offense
This approval must be verbally given by the monitoring supervisor over the radio.
Under what conditions can an officer continue involvement after a motor vehicle collision?
If:
* No unit is available to assume the pursuit
* Damage to the unit is minor and it can still be operated
* There are no apparent injuries as a result of the collision
What information must the primary unit notify communications of when a pursuit is underway?
The nature of the original offense, location, speed, direction of travel, description and license plate of vehicle, number of occupants, and description
This communication is crucial for coordinating the pursuit.
What happens if the monitoring supervisor discontinues the vehicle pursuit but directs a transition to the bubble tactic?
Pursuing units will immediately cease emergency operations, reduce speed, discontinue visual contact with the suspect vehicle, and take part in the bubble tactic
This directive is to be followed regardless of area command or jurisdiction.
What should officers use as cover when deploying stop sticks?
Substantial barriers such as:
* Large trees
* Guard rails
These barriers provide safety during deployment.
How many officers are recommended to deploy stop sticks?
A two-officer team
One officer should deploy the stop sticks while the other observes.
What should officers do when deploying stop sticks?
Officers deploying stop sticks will deploy from a position of safety.
Find substantial barriers to use as cover (large tree, guard rail).
Deploy stop sticks using a two-officer team (one deploy and one observer)
Plan ahead for use.
Determine the best location for deployment. Avoid deploying on wet surfaces, gravel or loose pavement.
Deploy so the subject has limited ability to avoid striking the device and deploy away from intersections. Only deploy after identifying a safe location to observe. Always move to a safe location after deployment. (Cord reel has 80 feet (24 m) of cord.
Advise pursuing units when and where stop sticks are being deployed.
Inform supervisor of deployment and effectiveness
This coordination is crucial for operational effectiveness.
What should be communicated to the supervisor during the deployment of stop sticks?
Inform the supervisor of deployment and effectiveness
Keeping supervisors informed helps in assessing the situation.
List the conditions that lead to a supervisor’s response to a foot pursuit.
- Injury to an officer, citizen, or suspect
- Entry into a residence or similar structure
- Any reportable force
- Any unusual occurrence warranting supervisory oversight
These conditions ensure proper management and oversight of incidents.
What must a supervisor do if an officer begins a vehicular pursuit?
Verbally approve the vehicle pursuit over the radio. If approved, the monitoring supervisor will direct the continuance of the vehicle pursuit.
What are the pursuit continuation consideration factors?
Whether the need for immediate apprehension of the suspect(s) outweighs the danger created by the pursuit itself.
If the vehicle pursuit is for a violent felony, pursuing units and monitoring supervisor(s) should evaluate the severity of the crime and when it occurred. For example:
Is there a confirmed victim and evidence or corroborating witness(es) to support that a violent felony crime occurred? Does the crime involve substantial bodily injury or death?
Is the crime part of a violent felony crime series?
Whether the suspect is known to officers and could be apprehended later.
Speeds of the vehicle pursuit (pursuing units and fleeing vehicle).
Vehicle and pedestrian traffic (including road conditions).
Environmental factors surrounding the pursuit: residential, commercial, or rural.
Weather conditions (e.g., rain, fog, or snow).
Time of day: Does visibility create an unreasonable risk of injury to the public or pursuing officers?
Alternatives to allowing the pursuit to continue, including the availability of the Air Unit, use of the bubble tactic, surveillance with unmarked LVMPD vehicles, use of the precision intervention technique (PIT), deployment of stop sticks, or arrest at a later time via investigative means.
Who does a pursuit report in Blue Team?
Any officer who assumes the primary position, at any point during the pursuit, regardless of duration in the primary position
What must a unit do when discontinuing a vehicular pursuit?
Immediately cease emergency operations (lights and siren), reduce speed, and discontinue visual contact with the suspect vehicle.
Broadcast over the radio the discontinuance of pursuit and that there is no longer visual contact of the suspect vehicle.
Who must approve bubbling outside of area command
Supervisor
Pursuit monitoring supervisor responsibilities
- Immediately acknowledge the notification made by the pursuing officers or Communications and authorize the continuation of the vehicle pursuit over the radio by stating, “I am supervising this pursuit.”
- Continuously evaluate the need to authorize additional units to the pursuit.
- Determine whether a transition to the bubble tactic is more appropriate based on availability of the Air Unit and unmarked vehicles.
- Evaluate whether to discontinue the pursuit if the Air Unit has arrived and assumed primary responsibility for broadcasting the progress of the pursuit.
- During the pursuit, consider use of PIT and/or stop sticks.
- Discontinue the pursuit over the radio when apprehension of the fleeing suspect(s) is outweighed by the danger caused by the pursuit.
Confirm that speeds of pursuing units and fleeing vehicle are reasonably being broadcast over the radio throughout the duration of the pursuit. - Discourage overconvergence at termination point to avoid officers unduly jeopardizing the safety of themselves and others (see LVMPD 3.110, Use of Force, “De-escalation”).
- Respond to the termination point and manage the overall scene (i.e., high-risk vehicle stop procedures, a low-lethal option, and a custody plan).
- If the occupant(s) of the suspect vehicle flees on foot:
When available, coordinate with the Air Unit to communicate with bubbling units on apprehension/containment procedures (see LVMPD 3.220, Foot Pursuits). If Air Unit is unavailable, communicate with bubbling units on apprehension/containment procedures.
Manage police activities for the suspect vehicle (e.g., high-risk vehicle stop procedures and containment). - Ensure all required post-pursuit procedures are completed.
PIT (successful non-deadly and attempts) are reportable uses of force and must be in a Use of Force Report and Pursuit Report in Blue Team.
PIT (successful non-deadly and attempts) are reportable uses of force and must be in a Use of Force Report and Pursuit Report in Blue Team.
After pursuit supervisor investigation
1 Respond to the termination point and assume responsibility for the scene.
2 Ensure all appropriate notifications are made at the scene.
Ensure CIRT/FIT have been notified when the use of force with vehicle results in death or critical bodily injury (PIT under or over 40 mph and ramming).
Notify CIRT when the pursuit involves multi-jurisdiction, multiple bureaus/area commands, and/or the pursuit involves more than five officers. CIRT will assess the totality of the circumstances to determine whether a response is necessary.
Notify CIRT when there is significant damage.
Notify CIRT/FIT if PIT is used on a high center of gravity vehicle. CIRT/FIT will assess the totality of the circumstances to determine whether a response is necessary.
3 Conduct a thorough investigation to determine if the pursuit was within policy and justified. If a supervisor becomes involved in a pursuit other than supervising the pursuit, the pursuing supervisor will not conduct the investigation of the pursuit. Investigative duties will be relinquished to the next level of supervision in the officer’s chain of command.
4 Ensure all applicable reports are completed.
5 Check the area surrounding the termination point for any video surveillance, and obtain a copy (MP4 format, if possible).
6 Review all involved officers’ BWCs to ensure pursuit procedures were followed and that all involved officers are documented in the report.
7 Ensure any officer who assumed a primary position in the pursuit completes a Pursuit Report in Blue Team.
8 Document in Blue Team if the pursuit has been determined to be justified and in adherence to procedure, to include all facts and evidence obtained throughout the investigation.
9 Document in Blue Team if the pursuit was determined to be unjustified, and include all facts and evidence obtained throughout the investigation.
10 Document in Blue Team if the Air Unit was available.
If available, articulate:
When the Air Unit arrived (i.e., before, during or after the vehicle pursuit).
How the Air Unit assisted (i.e., radio broadcast of vehicle pursuit, containment at termination point, etc.).
If unavailable, articulate why (i.e., weather conditions, maintenance, assisting on another incident, or vehicle pursuit occurred during a non-operational period).
11 Document in Blue Team if tire deflation devices were deployed and ensure that the circumstances justifying each deployment is articulated. Include the following:
Number of times tire deflation devices were deployed and how (i.e., during vehicle pursuit or on a stationary vehicle [before or after the vehicle pursuit]).
Location of each deployment
Name, P# and call-sign of each officer who deployed a tire deflation device for every location.
What type of substantial barrier was used as cover by the officer who deployed the tire deflation device.
If deployment was on a stationary vehicle, describe where the tire deflation device was deployed (i.e., subject vehicle [front or rear tires] or ingress/egress areas of a business or residential area [street, cul-de-sac, driveway, etc.])
If the deployment was successful or unsuccessful at each location and why it was determined to be successful or unsuccessful.
Did any vehicles other than the subject vehicle strike the tire deflation device?
12 Ensure all evidence and documentation (e.g., voluntary statements, photos, injuries, vehicle damage, etc.) is secured prior to the end of shift.
What information will be provided to supervisor upon deployment of stop sticks?
Name, personnel number (P#) and call-sign.
Location of deployment.
What type of substantial barrier was used as cover.
If the deployment was successful or unsuccessful and why it was determined to be successful or unsuccessful.
Did any vehicles other than the subject vehicle strike the stop stick.
What should an officer in a foot pursuit when transitioning to pursuit to contain?
the officer should use protective cover or a position of advantage near where the suspect was last seen;
broadcast the suspect’s description and last direction of travel, establish a perimeter,
evaluate the time needed for the arrival of additional resources.
