6. Road Policing Flashcards
WHy do we have an urgent duty driving policy
Prioritising safety by driving with a high standard of care to minimise exposure to risk is critical to reducing road trauma, and ensuring trust and confidence in Police vehicle operation.
How do Police adhere to the urgent duty policy
prioritising Police and public safety when driving
prioritising safety by driving with a high standard of care
recognising that no duty is so urgent that it requires the public or Police to be placed at unjustified risk
being aware that they are individually legally responsible for their actions
using TENR when deciding whether to commence and continue urgent duty driving
continuously using lights and sirens, where fitted, unless a tactical approach is justified.
WHat is urgent duty driving?
is when an officer on duty is driving above the speed limit or the natural flow of traffic, and may not be complying with certain rules and is:
responding to a critical incident, gathering evidence of an alleged offence, apprehending an offender for a traffic or criminal offence, apprehending a fleeing driving,
and are relying on the defences under the LT (road user) rule and LTA for not complying with certain traffic rules and regulations which would prevent the execution of that duty.
What is a critical incident?
includes situations where:
force or the threat of force is involved
any person faces the risk of serious harm
police are responding to people in the act of committing a crime
What is the supervisors role when police engage in urgent duty driving?
Manages Police performance relating to driving behaviour
identifies and manages health and safety risks to those staff.
immediately reports policy breaches to their superior
investigates and reports crashes involving a police vehicle
what is the purpose of the fleeing driver policy
is to guide staff decision making around signalling a driver to stop, and in the event of a fleeing driver, how to achieve the safest possible outcomes.
Safety is the paramount consideration.
This will be achieved through a clear and common understanding of roles and responsibilites, the TENR risk assessment and decision making process, and the application of TENR.
What determinations are made when reviewing a fleeing driver event?
Was it appropriate, lawful, justified, compliant with Police instructions, and whether there are lessons learnt
When is a pursuit justified?
when the threat posed by the vehicle occupants prior to signalling the driver to stop, and the necessity to immediately apprehend the driver and/or passenger, outweighs the risk of harm created by the pursuit
WHat decisions must you consider when deciding to stop a driver?
the initial threat posed by the vehicle occupants
the necessity to immediately apprehend the driver and or passenger
the risk of harm to any person created by commencing the pursuit
What is the supervisors role in a pursuit
Maintain supervisory oversight
Provide support to staff and the pursuit controller, avoiding direct involvement in the pursuit where possible
Continuously performs own TENR to assess whether the risks associated with the pursuit continue to be justified
direct abandonment if their TENR assessment identifies that the risk of harm outweighs the initial threat posed by the vehicle occupants and the need to immediately apprehend.
What are the sergeants responsibilities after a fleeing driver event?
Hot debriefs with Comms and district staff to identify areas of improvement and reinforce good practice
ensures the fleeing driver notification and NIA records are completed before end of shift
if any staff is unable to complete the notification, or they have been involved in a pursuit resulting in serious injury or death, the supervisor should complete and approve on their behalf.
Reviews the fleeing driver notification to ensure compliance with policy and legislation, within 5 days of the report being submitted for review
ensures health and safety reporting has been completed if required.
Ensures an investigation has been commenced to identify the offender and hold them to account.
What are the tactical options available to assist fleeing driver events?
Abandon
Air support unit
AOS or STG non compliant vehicle stop
Dog unit
investigation
Temp road closure - S30 and 32 of SS act
Tyre deflation devices
S113 - police may enforce transport legislation (passengers)
Direct a person on a road (passengers) to give details
Inspect/test/examine the vehicle or land transport docs
move a vehicle that is obstructing
Direct the driver to move the vehicle if obstructing
forbid and unlicensed driver
forbid a person who is operating a transport service without a licence to operate it
Direct a person using a vehicle or on animal on road to stop or keep to a particular line of traffic.
S114 - power to require driver to stop and give name and address
S119 powers of entry
has GCS a person has contravened the a request or requirement or demand made under s114 and,
has also committed or is committing an offence (reckless or dangerous driving), or has recently been driving under the influence of drink/drug, and
is freshly pursuing that person
the officer may, without warrant, in the course of the pursuit enter, by force if necessary, any premises which the person has entered for either or both of the following:
EBA
exercising or completing the exercise of any such power in respect of that person
s121 - enforcement officer may immobilise vehicle, in specified circumstances
RGB that iether a person in charge of a motor vehicle, because of his physical or mental condition
is incapable of having proper control of the vehicle, or
does not complete a CIT or fails or refuses a CIT
The officer may forbid the person to drive up to 12 hours
direct the person to drive the vehicle to a specified place where the driver may obtain rest.
Take possession of the keys
take steps to render the vehicle immobile
