3.210 Vehicular Pursuit

Question 1

What is the overall policy of “3.210 - Vehicular Pursuit”?

Answer 1

“A vehicular pursuit may be initiated based on a pursuing officer’s conclusion that the pursuit is the best available option at the time. Understandably, the decision to pursue is often made under difficult, unpredictable and rapidly changing circumstances. For those reasons, the requirement for immediate supervisory authorization for a pursuit and on-going supervisory control of a pursuit is the cornerstone of the department’s pursuit philosophy. Considering the totality of the circumstances, sometimes the best course of action may be not to pursue or to discontinue a pursuit already in progress.”

Question 2

“An active attempt by an officer in an authorized emergency vehicle as defined by NRS 484B.700, using emergency equipment (red lights and sirens), to apprehend a suspect who is failing to yield after due notice or is attempting to avoid apprehension, and whose driving presents a clear and immediate danger.”

Answer 2

Pursuit

NOTE: “An officer continuing to follow the suspect vehicle, regardless of the activation of emergency equipment (red lights and sirens) will be considered “in pursuit”.”

Question 3

“A non-code tactic that is utilized when attempting to contain a suspect in a vehicle. The tactic utilizes available police units to create a mobile perimeter or “bubble”. Bubbling officers will monitor via radio the fleeing vehicle, out of view of the suspect and move into positions surrounding the suspect while obeying all traffic laws.”

Answer 3

Bubble Tactic

NOTE: “Bubbling officers will not engage nor re-engage the suspect in a vehicle pursuit without supervisor approval.”

Question 4

“The complete cessation of a pursuit by the decision of the pursuing officer or supervisor - to include the discontinuance of visual contact of the pursued vehicle via turning at the first reasonable turn off of the primary street and the return to routine operation.”

Answer 4

Discontinuance of Pursuit

Question 5

“Additional police units, approved by a supervisor, traveling on adjacent streets using emergency equipment to keep pace with a pursuit. Code 3 caravanning or paralleling of units or other attempts to join the pursuit without authorization form a supervisor is prohibited.”

Answer 5

Paralleling

Question 6

“A tactic employed following a supervisor’s discontinuance of the pursuit wherein the air unit will switch to surveillance mode (cease lighting the suspect and climb to a higher altitude) and continue to observe the vehicle. The air unit will advise the supervisor if the vehicle continues to present a danger to the public and provide information to patrol units concerning when and where the vehicle stops.”

Answer 6

Surveillance Mode

Question 7

How many unit are authorized to be in a pursuit?

Answer 7

The primary, secondary and third units.

NOTE: “The primary unit may request the field supervisor to authorize additional units to join the pursuit, if necessary.”

Question 8

When is a unit considered primary during a pursuit?

Answer 8

If at any point during the pursuit, the unit is directly behind the suspect vehicle.

Question 9

Who must complete a Pursuit Report in Blue Team?

Answer 9

“Any officer who assumes the primary position, at any point during the pursuit, regardless of duration in the primary position, will complete a separate Pursuit Report in Blue Team.”

Question 10

If the pursuit is initiated by an officer operating a motorcycle or unmarked unit, when will that officer relinquish the primary position? The secondary position?

Answer 10

The primary position will be relinquished upon the arrival of a marked unit and the secondary position will be relinquished upon the arrival of a secondary marked unit. The initiating officer will then discontinue pursuit and travel to the termination point.

Question 11

Who will relinquish al positions to standard marked patrol units joining the pursuit to maintain control and objectivity of continuing the pursuit or determining if it should be discontinued?

Answer 11

The supervisor

Question 12

“If an officer is involved in a motor vehicle collision during an emergency response or a pursuit, the officer will immediately discontinue involvement and take proper action as is required by the NRS Transportation Code and all other departmental orders and directions unless:” (3)

Answer 12

1. No unit is available to assume the pursuit or respond to the unit involved, AND
2. Damage to the unit is minor, and it can still be safely operated without danger, AND
3. There are no apparent injuries as a result of the accident.

Question 13

“There will be NO Code 3 caravanning or paralleling of units or other attempts to join the pursuit without authorization from…”

Answer 13

“…a supervisor.”

Question 14

Per policy, when is a vehicle pursuit allowed?

Answer 14

“A pursuit will be conducted only for a VIOLENT FELONY or if the suspect presents a CLEAR AND IMMEDIATE DANGER to the public.”

NOTE: “Clear and immediate danger to the public will not be based solely on a subject’s reaction to the officer’s initial attempt to stop the subject’s vehicle.”

Question 15

“If an officer articulates that a subject presents a clear and immediate danger to the public, the monitoring sergeant, area lieutenant or watch commander must…”

Answer 15

“…verbally approve the pursuit over the radio and can direct officers to continue in the pursuit.”

Question 16

“Officers who initiate vehicle pursuits and field supervisors who allow pursuits to continue, must consider the following (6) initiation and evaluation factors:

Answer 16

1. Whether the need for immediate apprehension of the suspect(s) outweighs the dangers created by the pursuit itself.
2. Whether the suspect is known to officers and/or can be apprehended at a later time.
3. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic and road conditions.
4. Nature of the area of the pursuit: residential, commercial or rural.
5. Weather conditions, time of day and visibility.
6. Alternatives to pursuit, including the availability of the air unit, the use of PIT and/or stop sticks.

Question 17

“Before conducting a felony car stop for a stolen vehicle, officers will…”

Answer 17

“…request the air unit and allow it adequate time to arrive before activation emergency lights and siren.”

Question 18

If at any point during a pursuit, an officer becomes the primary unit, that officer must notify…

Answer 18

…dispatch.

Question 19

“When the air unit takes over a vehicle pursuit, pursuing units must…

Answer 19

…cease emergency operation (lights and siren), reduce speed and discontinue visual contact with the suspect vehicle unless otherwise directed by a supervisor.”

Question 20

“Pursuits will be discontinued when leaving Clark County unless the decision to continue is approved by….”

Answer 20

“…the watch commander or field lieutenant.”

Question 21

“Officers are prohibited from entering into pursuits that were initiated by another jurisdiction or law enforcement agency unless…

Answer 21

“…assigned to the pursuit by a supervisor.”

Question 22

An alternative to authorizing units to join a pursuit initiated by another jurisdiction would be to…

Answer 22

…send units toward the area of the pursuit to be in a relatively good position to render back up and other aid once the suspect vehicle is stopped.

Question 23

When requesting assistance from other agencies to assist with a vehicle pursuit, the supervisor will NOT request…

Answer 23

…units from the agency to actively join the pursuit; however, other appropriate forms of assistance may be requested (bubble, stop sticks, etc.)

Question 24

“The use of tire deflation devices (stop sticks) as a pre-pursuit deployment tactic should only be utilized under extenuating circumstances where…”

Answer 24

“…the vehicle meets the parameters of an approved pursuit should the vehicle become occupied.”

Question 25

Officers will not deploy tire deflation devices:

Answer 25

1. When transporting prisoners
2. When fleeing suspects have demonstrated a clear intent to injure officers
3. As a weapon
4. On bridges, roadway curves, around construction, or any place not deemed safe.
5. To slow or stop any of the following vehicles, unless deadly force would be justified:
   a. Motorcycle, moped, etc
   b. ATVs
   c. Truck carrying hazardous material

Question 26

“The use of PIT to stop a pursuit will be done only after…”

Answer 26

“…the violator has clearly demonstrated the intention to avoid apprehension.”

Question 27

“Before initiating the PIT, officers will use their emergency equipment (lights and siren) and will…”

Answer 27

“…give the operator of the target vehicle a reasonable opportunity to stop.”

Question 28

“Officers will broadcast the intent to use the PIT if…”

Answer 28

“…circumstances permit, otherwise, notification will be made after the fact.”

Question 29

A PIT used on a suspect vehicle with deflated tires traveling at 40 mph or below is non-deadly force. True or False?

Answer 29

TRUE

Question 30

Circumstances warranting the use of the PIT as deadly force area as follows: (3)

Answer 30

1. Continued movement of the pursued vehicle would place others in danger of bodily harm or death
2. Apparent risk of harm to other than the occupants of the pursued vehicle, is so great as to outweigh the risk of harm in making the forcible stop
3. Other means of apprehension have been considered and rejected as impractical (i.e. continue to follow, stop sticks, wait for air unit)

Question 31

Officers will, in all cases, consider the safety of the public and suspects before executing the PIT maneuver, evaluating the following locations and hazards: (6)

Answer 31

1. Areas with high concentration of pedestrians
2. Other vehicle traffic
3. Parked vehicles
4. Telephone/utility poles
5. Bridges
6. Areas adjacent to paved roads with a large elevation change

Question 32

“PIT (successful uses, attempts and/or declared uses) and vehicle ramming are considered…”

Answer 32

“…reportable force and must be reported by completing the Use of Force Report and Pursuit Report in Blue Team.”

Question 33

If any questions or concerns arise from a PIT investigation regarding if the use of force was deadly or non-deadly, who will be notified?

Answer 33

FIT and/or the Traffic Bureau/Fatal Detail

Question 34

What are the post-pursuit responsibilities of the supervisor?

Answer 34

1. Respond to the termination point and assume responsibility for the scene.
2. Ensure all appropriate notifications have been made.
3. Conduct a thorough investigation to determine if the pursuit was within policy and justified.
4. Ensure all applicable reports are completed.
5. Check the surrounding area for any video surveillance and obtain copies.
6. Review all involved officers BWCs to ensure pursuit procedures were followed.
7. Ensure any officer who was primary completes a Pursuit Report in Blue Team.
8. Document in Blue Team if the pursuit was justified or unjustified.
9. If stop stick were deployed, document justification in the Pursuit Report.

Question 35

Where are Vehicle Pursuit Reports maintained?

Answer 35

“Vehicle Pursuit Reports are entered and maintained in Blue Team/IAPro. The Internal Affairs Bureau is the repository for the original forms and CAD event recall and tapes.”