Pursuits Flashcards
What shall you notify dispatch about the pursuit? 6 points
The officer shall notify dispatch of the pursuit,
- direction of travel
- description of the pursued vehicle.
- Road conditions and location
- Traffic conditions, to include pedestrian traffic
- Nature of the offense known at that moment
- Presence of weapons (only if known)
Factors to consider when deciding to continue or terminate a pursuit are what? 11 points
- Danger of the pursuit outweighs the need for immediate apprehension.
- The suspects have been identified and can be apprehended later.
- The prevailing traffic, roadway, and environmental conditions render pursuit futile, i.e. motorcycle or four-wheel drive has left the roadway and the terrain would cause serious damage to the police vehicle at high speeds.
- Pursued vehicle has outdistanced or lost the officer.
- Weather and time of day.
- Type of vehicle involved.
- Road configuration (Interstate, work zone, etc.)
- Population density of area (School zone, residential, business, etc.)
- Reason for the stop.
- The speed and evasive tactics employed by the suspect.
- The presence of minors or other persons in the suspect vehicle (if known).
How many police vehicles will be involved in a pursuit?
Only two police vehicles will be involved in the pursuit, primary and secondary units
- primary unit will follow behind the suspect vehicle and the secondary unit will stay behind the primary unit.
- A field supervisor may direct other units to assist.
What should other units do in responding to a pursuit?
- All other units indirectly involved are considered support units and should not be directly involved in the pursuit unless requested by a supervisor.
Who should be the primary and secondary units?
What if an unmarked unit gets involved in the pursuit?
Primary/Secondary Units
- Only marked police vehicles with overhead emergency lights should be used for the pursuit.
- If another police vehicle must undertake the initial pursuit, such vehicle shall terminate involvement in the pursuit once two marked police vehicles have intercepted to continue the pursuit.
Should motorcycles get involved in the pursuit?
Police motorcycles may be used for pursuits in exigent circumstances when weather and related conditions allow. They shall disengage when marked police vehicles intercept to continue the pursuit.
When should the officer voluntarily end the pursuit?
The pursuing officer will voluntarily terminate the pursuit when it is determined that the need to apprehend is outweighed by other factors.
When an officer is given the order to terminate the pursuit by a supervisor, what must he do and what can he do?
- A supervisor may direct that the pursuit be ended.
- If the pursuing officer receives such an order, he/she shall do so immediately and acknowledge the order.
- The last known location of the suspect vehicle will be broadcast for other units in the area, and the pursuit may be reinitiated at a later time if the conditions permit. - An officer may follow the suspect vehicle but must shut off emergency equipment and obey all traffic laws.
How far should the primary unit remain in distance from the pursued vehicle?
The pursuing police vehicles should maintain sufficient distance from the pursued vehicle so that a sudden stop or change in direction of the pursued vehicle does not result in acollision.
What is the job of the secondary unit?
The secondary vehicle will have the responsibility of maintaining radio contact and providing updated pursuit conditions.
What should the officer request, if not given?
If emergency traffic is not given to the pursuit by dispatch, the officer will request it.
Can a police vehicle make intentional contact with the pursued vehicle?
Intentional contact between a police vehicle and the vehicle being pursued should be avoided; however, in the case of imminent danger to the public or fellow officers, this method must be
objectively reasonable.
Can you use firearms in a pursuit?
The use of firearms during a pursuit will comply with existing firearms policy.
Can an officer use their private vehicles to get involved in a pursuit?
Officers using private vehicles will not allow themselves to become involved in any pursuit.
If you have someone in your vehicle that is not an officer, can you get involved in a pursuit?
High-speed pursuits should be avoided when the police vehicle is occupied by person(s) who are
not law enforcement officers.
What should units with spike strips do?
Units equipped with spike strips should move to an area to intercept the pursuit.
What should units without spike strips do?
Units without spike strips should attempt to control traffic at intersections in the path of the
pursuit.
Should support units use lights and sirens when responding to a pursuit?
Generally, support units should not operate emergency lights and sirens or use non-routine
driving unless directed to join the pursuit.
When other agencies become involved in department pursuits within the jurisdiction of the department, the
following shall apply:
And what happens when CPD officers get involved in pursuits from other jurisdictions?
- Assisting agencies will assume the role of a back-up unit.
- The primary unit will advise communications of the other agency’s involvement, and all units
involved will switch to an appropriate channel.
• The department’s supervisor will have direct authority over the pursuit and will not exercise any
authority over outside agency employees.
• Department officers may assist in another agency’s pursuit if the pursuit initiation and
continuation criteria are in compliance with this policy.
• In a pursuit involving officers from more than one agency, only two vehicles will be in the pursuit
unless the supervisor authorizes additional officers.
Can pursuits continue into Nebraska or Colorado and for what, if allowed?
Pursuits may continue into Nebraska or Colorado only when the suspect has committed a felony, has been charged with a felony, or has escaped from custody.
Once apprehended in another state, where must the suspect be booked?
Both Colorado and Nebraska permit the continued hot pursuit of felony suspects, but upon their
apprehension, the suspect(s) must be turned over to local authorities.
When a suspect is apprehended in Cheyenne, when the pursuit originated from another state, where must the suspect be booked?
Suspects apprehended in Cheyenne, who have been actively involved in a pursuit originating in another
state should be arrested and held on applicable local charges with a must appear or no bondhold.
Do you need supervisor authorization when continuing a pursuit out of Laramie County?
Supervisor authorization is required for any pursuit outside of Laramie County.
Can you do roadblocks and if so, who can authorize them?
- Roadblocks will be considered a seizure and must be objectively reasonable.
- Only a shift supervisor may authorize a roadblock.
