Pursuit Procedures Flashcards
Who shall not be pursued to the point where the life of the officer, the violator or others is placed in jeopardy
A violator
Department policy places a greater value on the preservation of life than…
on the apprehension of criminal offenders.
What does a police vehicle pursuit expose the officers, fleeing violators, pedestrians, and occupants of other motor vehicles to?
the potential risk of death, serious injury, or damage to personal property.
Regarding a police pursuit, officers may be subject to administrative action for what reason?
for negligent emergency vehicle operation and the City may be found liable in civil actions.
Regarding police pursuits, for what reason will officers be subject to criminal prosecution?
If improper emergency vehicle operations rise to the level of criminal negligence.
When engaged in a pursuit, what must officers balance the seriousness of the violator’s suspected crime against?
The potential for death or injury if the chase is continued.
Officers should not assume that all persons who flee from the police and refuse to yield are serious criminal suspects.
TRUE
Regarding a pursuit, what is often most appropriate in the interest of safety?
Termination of a pursuit
In the heat of a chase, the violator frequently refuses to give up and the officer likewise feels an obligation to do what?
Continue the pursuit.
Define a vehicle pursuit.
an event involving one or more law enforcement officers attempting to apprehend a suspect operating a motor vehicle while the suspect is attempting to avoid arrest by using high speed driving or other evasive tactics such as driving off a highway, turning suddenly, or driving in a legal manner but willfully failing to yield to the officer’s signal to stop (emergency lights and siren).
What may an officer do when a vehicle fails to yield to a police vehicle operating with emergency lights and siren activated?
Initiate a pursuit
The officer must have________________ to believe the driver, or occupants of the vehicle, have committed an infraction or misdemeanor in his/her presence, or have _______________ to believe a felony has been committed, or is in progress.
Probable Cause
What must a police vehicle be equipped with in order to be involved in a pursuit?
Emergency lights that are activated and a siren sounding as reasonably necessary (21055 CVC).
When can a motorcycle unit be relieved if they have initiated the pursuit?
It shall be relieved when the first marked four-wheel police vehicle can assume the pursuit.
How many units can be actively involved in a pursuit unless a Field Supervisor, Field Lieutenant, or the Watch Commander approves additional units??
Only two units
When a pursuit is ongoing, what is the responsibility of uninvolved units?
Uninvolved units shall remain alert to the location of the pursuit, but shall not join the pursuit unless requested by the primary pursuit unit, or if authorized by a field supervisor.
Why should officers driving vans or SUV’s not be in a pursuit?Officers driving vans and Sport Utility Vehicles should be aware that the vehicles may not handle as well as pursuit-rated sedans.
Officers driving vans and Sport Utility Vehicles should be aware that the vehicles may not handle as well as pursuit-rated sedans.
Should officers with prisoners engage in a police pursuit?
Officers with prisoners or non-law enforcement passengers should not engage in a pursuit unless the offender poses an immediate life threatening risk to public safety.
When a pursuit begins, what will the Communications Dispatch announce over the radio?
Emergency Traffic Only, accompanied by “Alert Tone 2”
How often will “Emergency Traffic Only” be repeated?
Every 15 seconds (or as often as possible)
Who will assign a field supervisor as the supervisor of record to assume control and monitor the pursuit?
Communications Dispatch
Who may cancel unnecessary “Code 3” cover units or terminate the pursuit, if circumstances permit?
The field supervisor
Who will notify the Field Lieutenant and the Watch Commander when a pursuit begins?
Communications Lead Dispatcher will notify the Field Lieutenant, and the Watch Commander.
Who monitors each and every pursuit that occurs; The Field Lieutenant, The Watch Commander, or both?
Both will monitor every pursuit
Can the field lieutenant and watch commandeer terminate a pursuit?
Yes
Who shall remain on the original radio talk group during a pursuit?
The pursuing officer, unless directed otherwise
If there is an assisting unit involved in the pursuit, what is their job?
The second assisting unit should “call the pursuit”
What should passenger officers do during a pursuit?
A passenger officer should operate the radio allowing the driver to concentrate on driving tactics and officer safety.
What will a law enforcement helicopter do once they overtake a pursuit vehicle?
The aircraft can assist by broadcasting on-going radio updates along the route of travel.
What shall a radio dispatcher do if a Canine Unit is involved in a pursuit?
The radio dispatcher shall broadcast imperative canine information for officer safety purposes.
Who must be notified if spike strips are being deployed?
Communications- The dispatcher shall immediately rebroadcast this location to pursuing units accompanied by “Alert Tone 2.”
Why does Communications need to be notified when spike strips are to be used?
This allows for pursuing units to tactically prepare for the apprehension of the suspect(s) while avoiding the tire deflation devices placed in the roadway.
What will Communications announce after re-broadcasting spike strip location updates?
Alert Tone 2
What should other officers do that are not immediately involved in the pursuit?
Officers not actively engaged in the pursuit should remain off the air, giving priority radio traffic to pursuing units.
If a field supervisor orders a pursuit to be terminated, how long before the pursuit is over?
It shall be terminated immediately, followed by a repeat of “Alert Tone 2”
Once the pursuit has been called off, the dispatcher will initiate a roll call of who?
All pursuing officers, including Air Support, and document each officer’s acknowledgment.
What shall the pursuing officer announce over the radio?
Pursuing officers shall audibly acknowledge the directive over the radio.
When a pursuit begins, the initiating pursuit unit or ABLE will state what information over the radio?
Specific information identifying the suspect(s), involved vehicle, what the vehicle is wanted for, the pursued vehicle’s speed, and a description of the area through which the pursued vehicle is traveling.
What are two of the reasons the pursuits may begin?
Many pursuits begin after an officer observes a vehicle traveling at an excessive speed, while others stem from suspects attempting to evade capture for criminal activity.
Pursuits frequently involve high-speed driving maneuvers as suspects attempt to evade officers.
TRUE
The majority of police pursuits involve only one pursuit vehicle.
False:
What environmental factors must officers consider when deciding whether to begin, continue, or terminate a high speed pursuit?
This assessment should include present, and potential surrounding and adjacent areas the pursuit might reach, and the hazards that multiple vehicles traveling at high speeds through the areas might pose.
What are the areas of concern during a high speed pursuit?
These areas may include but are not limited to nearby school zones, high pedestrian traffic areas, shopping center parking lots, public parks, street fairs, and sporting events.
What should officers do when ordered to terminate a pursuit?
Officers shall IMMEDIATELY discontinue “Code 3” operation.
Should officers “trail” or follow a suspect after being ordered to terminate the pursuit?
No
When is driving on the wrong side of the road permitted during a pursuit? Driving on the wrong side of a divided roadway is generally prohibited, except in the most grievous circumstances when imminent danger to life exists.
Driving on the wrong side of a divided roadway is generally prohibited, except in the most grievous circumstances when imminent danger to life exists.
Can an officer drive on the wrong side of the freeway during a pursuit?
Driving the wrong way on freeways is strictly prohibited. Officers shall not pursue in opposing lanes of traffic on any freeway or divided highway separated by a raised island and/or center divider. Emergency vehicle operators may not be immune from prosecution if involved in a wrong-way collision that results in injury or death (21651 CVC).
How many cover units may follow an officer pursuing a suspect vehicle?
Only one cover unit may follow the primary pursuing unit unless additional cover units are authorized by a supervisor. The cover unit(s) shall use emergency lights and siren in compliance with 21055 CVC and 21056 CVC.
What should additional units be prepared to do when assisting an officer in pursuit?
Additional units should be prepared to: