Ch 42 Pursuits Flashcards
Who can authorize a vehicle pursuit :
A vehicle pursuit may only be continued inside of outside of the county once permission has been granted by the shift commander or when applicable the affected lieutenant commander of the pursuing officer.
4 reasons to chase:
Homicide
Contact shooting
Armed robbery
Armed carjacking
Primary pursuit unit -
The emergency vehicle that initiated the pursuit or the emergency vehicle closest to the suspect.
Secondary pursuit unit -
Any emergency vehicle authorized to be involved in a pursuit and that is not the primary vehicle.
Vehicle pursuit -
An active attempt by a police officer in a emergency vehicle to apprehend a motorist who exhibits a clear intention to avoid apprehension by high speed driving, evasive tactics, such as making unexpected turns.
Following suspect vehicle (No Pursuit) :
Occasionally motorists do not react normally to police presence due to physical or mental impairments, including but not limited to DWI, DUI, and certain medical conditions. Such persons may not stop upon observing police signal. Following a motorists in such situations is not a vehicle pursuit but requires notification and approval from supervisor.
After obtaining approval to follow :
After supervisory approval, the officer may only follow the motorist if the motorist obey all traffic laws (excluding failing to stop). Once the motorist attempts to elude the officer by violating traffic laws, the officer shall cease any further attempts to stop the motorist. Closing in and stopping a motorist that is not attempting to flee and stops on police signal is not a vehicle pursuit.
How many cars allows to chase :
No more than 3 vehicles shall be involved in a pursuit into a neighboring MD county, DC, or VA unless authorized by the shift commander. Officers shall notify dispatch of their intention to leave the county or state.
Once in neighboring county :
Pursuit units leaving the county will become secondary units when the neighboring jurisdiction enters the pursuit. Pursuits will be terminated as sufficient units of the entered jurisdiction join the pursuit.
If apprehension is made out of the county :
If apprehension is made by a PG county officer in a Neighboring MD county, officers affect an arrest and return the suspect to the county without further legal process. If an officer from that jurisdiction requests that suspect be processed at the neighboring jurisdiction’s facilities before return, the arresting officer shall comply.
Cars allowed to initiate pursuit :
No departmental vehicle shall be used to initiate pr participate in any vehicle pursuit unless it is equipped with emergency lights and sirens. Both of which should be used throughout the pursuit.
Siren tones in pursuit
If more than 1 officer is involved in a pursuit, they should use different siren tones from each other. In addition to emergency lights and sirens, officers driving unmarked dept. Vehicles involved in pursuits shall use high beam or flashing head lights throughout their involvement.
Two wheeled vehicles and pursuits :
Officers operating dept. Two wheeled vehicles shall not engage in vehicle pursuit unless their lack of involvement poses a significant threat to the safety of the public or other officers. Two wheeled vehicles may pursue until a marked cruiser assumes the primary pursuit role. Officers driving specialized vehicles will cease active pursuit when sufficient marked cruisers become secondary units.
Civilians and pursuits :
Departmental vehicles occupied by civilians will not be used in pursuits unless the situation mandates an immediate pursuit and circumstances prevent disembarking passengers.
Tire deflation device not designed for full lane coverage :
The deflation device not designed for full lane coverage will only be deployed when the target vehicle is stopped or parked.
