6.1 Fleeing Driver Flashcards
What is the overarching principle of fleeing driver incidents
public and Police employee safety takes precedence over the immediate apprehension of a fleeing driver
What about additional principles of a fleeing driver incident ?
•fleeing driver incidents must be managed in the safest possible manner; •an inquiry phase is preferred over a fleeing driver pursuit wherever possible and when circumstances allow; •fleeing driver incidents will only be commenced and/or continued when the seriousness of the offence and the necessity of immediate apprehension outweigh the risk of pursuing; •the fact that a driver is fleeing does not in itself justify a fleeing driver pursuit; •decisions to abandon fleeing driver incidents will be supported; •Police employees will use risk-based assessments (e.g. TENR) and apply a flexible response to changing circumstances; and •fleeing drivers will be held to account.
What is a fleeing driver?
A ‘fleeing driver’ is a driver who has been signalled to stop by an officer but fails to do so.
Tell me about the key objective in resovling fleeing driver incidents
Resolving the fleeing driver pursuit as safely and as quickly as possible, using the least amount of force, is the key objective.
What must I assess continually before and during a pursuit
The decision to commence, continue, or abandon a fleeing driver pursuit must be continually assessed and reassessed in accordance with the TENR (Threat-Exposure-Necessity-Response)
Why do I use T.E.N.R?
the actual or perceived risks are fully understood on a continuing basis; and the tactical options available are understood and deployed appropriately How Police conduct and manage fleeing driver incidents must balance: •public and Police employee safety; •the risks involved; and •the public interest in apprehending those who fail to stop.
What do the lead, secondary drivers or passengers, field supervisor and pursuit controller have in common?
The lead or secondary vehicle drivers or their passengers, the field supervisor, and the pursuit controller must monitor the risks and take responsibility to make decisions about the safe management and apprehension of the fleeing driver. Any of these individuals can order the fleeing driver incident to be abandoned
What does abandon mean?
Permanently abandon the fleeing driver pursuit. No further attempt to signal the vehicle to stop will be made unless the Pursuit Controller gives prior approval.
What is involved in signalling a driver to stop?
Police vehicle drives up behind the vehicle/driver concerned and signals the driver to stop using flashing red and blue lights and a siren. An officer in uniform may also signal a vehicle to stop.
What is a tactical vehicle?
Any Police vehicle or officer not actively pursuing the fleeing driver but seeking authorisation from the pursuit controller to conduct approved tactical options.
Using TENR the response to any situation must be ……….
The response to any given situation must be considered, timely, proportionate and appropriate.
What is the overriding principle of TENR
Safety is success. Public and employee safety are paramount, and every effort must be made to minimise harm and maximise safety.
As part of a flexible response model what should be considered?
all suitable tactical options should be considered or requested to safely apprehend the fleeing driver. This could include not pursuing or abandonment.
If the driver is not posing an imminent threat what would be the preferred approach?
the preferred approach is for the offender to be apprehended through subsequent lines of inquiry
Why are motorcyclists treated differently?
Motorcyclists often flee at high speeds, undertaking high risk driving behaviours, which place increased risks on all involved. Any decision to pursue a motorcyclist must balance the severity of the offending against the current risks in accordance with TENR.
What if a drivers behaviour becomes dangerous when I pursue them but it wasn’t before?
If a fleeing driver was not driving in a dangerous or reckless manner prior to being signalled to stop, but now is, the Officer must determine as part of their risk assessment if they should continue to pursue the fleeing driver due to the potential impact of their presence
Can I be directed to pursue a vehicle?
No driver can be directed to commence or continue a fleeing driver pursuit against their judgement. A driver’s decision not to commence a fleeing driver pursuit, or to abandon a pursuit, cannot be overridden.
Tell me about the responsibilities of the lead vehicle driver?
Has primary responsibility for deciding whether to pursue a fleeing driver. The lead vehicle driver must: •continuously assess the risks (TENR) •ensure warning lights and siren are activated throughout the fleeing driver pursuit •where there is a Police constabulary passenger direct that officer to undertake communications •notify Police Communications as soon as practicable and when it is safe to do so that a vehicle has failed to stop, location, direction, fleeing vehicle description, and reason that it is being pursued (failure to stop is not a reason) •acknowledge the pursuit warning given by the dispatcher •maintain regular communication with Police Communications when it is safe to do so •Comply with all directions from the Pursuit Controller.