Foot Pursuits

Question 1

When will a supervisor respond to a foot pursuit?

Answer 1

1. Injury to Officer, citizen, or suspect.
2. Entry into residence/similar structure is made.
3. Reportable force used.
4. Any other unusual occurrence that warrants supervisory oversight.

Question 2

When can an officer pursue on foot?

Answer 2

Officer reasonably believes an individual is engaged in criminal activity.

Question 3

What first five officer safety concerns should be considered during a foot pursuit?

Answer 3

1. Potential for violence to officers/citizens.
2. The officer is acting alone.
3. The subject is known or believed to be armed.
4. The officer becomes unsure of their location and direction of travel.
5. Radio contact is lost with dispatch/other officers.

Question 4

What second six officer safety concerns should be considered during a foot pursuit?

Answer 4

6. The officer loses firearm/radio/other essential equipment.
7. Subject enters a building/structure/confined or isolated area.
8. The officer becomes aware of unanticipated circumstances that increase the risk to officers or the public.
9. An officer pursuing multiple subjects does not reasonably believe they would be able to control the subjects should a confrontation occur.
10. Two or more officers involved in the pursuit become separated, lose visual contact with one another, or obstacles separate them to the degree they cannot immediately assist each other.
11. The need to secure department vehicles left unlocked and running.

Question 5

What information should officers broadcast during a foot pursuit.

Answer 5

1. Unit identifier;
2. Location and direction of travel;
3. Reason for the foot pursuit;
4. Number of subjects and descriptions; and
5. Whether the subject is known or believed to be armed.

Question 6

When will officers request medical attention after a foot pursuit.

Answer 6

Summon medical attention if the subject is injured, complains of injury, or shows signs of distress (e.g., displays difficulty breathing or appears to lose consciousness. See LVMPD 3.110, Use of Force
“Medical Attention”).

Question 7

Officers unable to promptly and effectively
broadcast information should consider

Answer 7

The decision to transfer to containment.

Question 8

When a foot pursuit
terminates, the officer will

Answer 8

notify Dispatch with location and the status of the pursuit termination (e.g., subject in custody or lost sight of subject), and will direct further actions.

Question 9

Officers deciding whether to initiate a foot pursuit or
implement containment procedures will act reasonably and must take into consideration

Answer 9

the reason for the
foot pursuit as well as the severity of the crime.

Question 10

In the transition to containment, the officer should

Answer 10

1. Use protective cover or a position of advantage near where the suspect was last seen;
2. Broadcast the suspect’s description and last direction of travel
3. Establish a perimeter; and
4. Evaluate the time needed for the arrival of additional resources.

Question 11

What is a supervisor’s responsibility during a foot pursuit?

Answer 11

make reasonable efforts to ascertain information, direct responding resources, and take command of the foot pursuit.