PURSUITS

Question 1

Officers may only engage in vehicle pursuits in the County, and neighboring jurisdictions outside of the County, if there is reason tobelieve that the fleeing suspect is committing, has committed, or attempted to commit any of the following:

Answer 1

 Homicide
 Contact Shooting
 Armed Robbery
 ArmedCarjacking

Question 2

WHommay authorize a vehicle pursuit in situations that fall outside of the current pursuit policy if they can specifically articulate that the potential danger created by the pursuit would be less than the immediate or potential danger to the public if the suspect remains at large.

Answer 2

Shift Commander

Question 3

Shift Commander

Answer 3

officer the rank of Lieutenant, or a
Sergeant who is in an acting position as a Lieutenant, who is responsible for the
operation of a shift.

Question 4

The decision to initiate a vehicle pursuit shall be at the discretion of the individual officer in accordance with the stated requirements in section I. POLICY above, and in consideration of the following factors:

Answer 4

 Type and speed of vehicle being pursued
 Performance capabilities of the pursuit vehicle
 Traffic conditions
 Amount of pedestrian traffic in the area Weather conditions
 Characteristics of the roadway and the
officer’s familiarity with the roadway  Pursuit location, such as a busy
business district or a heavily populated
residential neighborhood
 Time of day or night
 Nature of the offense
 Known circumstances that could lead to
a situation in which the pursuing officer
mightlosecontrolofthepolice vehicle  Whether the identity of the offender is
known

Question 5

No more than how many vehicles shall be involved in a pursuit into a neighboring Maryland County, the District of Columbia, or Virginia, unless authorized by a Shift Commander

Answer 5

3

Question 6

If more than one officer is involved in a pursuit, they should use different siren tones from each other.

Answer 6

FYI

Question 7

Following evaluation of the circumstances and initiation of a vehicle pursuit, officers shall broadcast the following:

Answer 7

Advise the dispatcher of the pursuit. The dispatcher shall immediately notify the Shift Commander and request authorization of the pursuit
 Location/direction of travel
 Vehicle license number (including
state), color, make, and model
 Reason for pursuit
 Information regarding number of
occupants and weapons involved, if known

Question 8

Unmarked or marked Departmental vehicles that are not equipped with lights and siren shall not engage in pursuits.

Answer 8

`fyi

Question 9

Tire Deflation Devices may be deployed with a Shift Commander’s approval in situations in which a pursuit would not otherwise be authorized. These situations include serious traffic violations or motor vehicle offenses that create a continuing threat or danger to the public or other police officers, such as:

Answer 9

 Stolen autos that fail to stop
 Reckless/negligent driving Known armed individuals that fail to stop
 Tactical situations such as barricades, civil disturbances, or warrant services
 DWI

Question 10

A Tire Deflation Device shall not be used in

the following situations:

Answer 10

 When two or three wheeled motorcycles or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles are involved
 There is deliberate contact between vehicles
 On exit ramps, merge lanes or turn lanes
 When non-involved vehicles may be
damaged

Question 11

The following pursuit tactics are prohibited:

Answer 11

 
 





Deliberate contact between vehicles 

Forcing the pursued vehicle into parked cars, ditches, or any other obstacle Pulling up alongside the pursued vehicle while it is in motion

Caravanning: the following and direct participation in a pursuit by Departmental vehicles other than the primary pursuit unit and secondary pursuit units

Passing: there shall be no attempt by officers to pass the primary pursuit unit unless the passing officer receives specific permission from the primary pursuing officer or a supervisor

Primary and secondary units shall not drive parallel to each other during a pursuit, except during an authorized pass

Heading Off (Forced Stopping): maneuvering a Departmental vehicle into the path of the pursued vehicle in an attempt to force it to stop

Roadblock: any method of restriction (including partial restriction) or obstruction used or intended for the purpose of preventing free passage of motor vehicles on a roadway in order to affect the apprehension of an actual or suspected violator in a motor vehicle
 Boxing In (Rolling Roadblock): a deliberate technique by two or more Departmental vehicles to force a pursued vehicle in a specific direction, or to force a pursued vehicle to stop or reduce speed by the maneuvering of Departmental vehicles in front of, behind, or beside a pursued vehicle

Question 12

The vehicle pursuit shall be immediately

terminated when:

Answer 12

Further pursuit will be futile
There is an equipment failure involving:
An emergency signal device A radio
The brakes
The steering
Other essential mechanical equipment
Damage to a Departmental vehicle which creates a driving hazardWhen the pursuit causes a clear and unreasonable danger to the officer, fleeing motorist, or other persons and danger is greater than the value of
apprehending the suspect
 A clear danger exists when speeds
dangerously exceed the normal flow of traffic, or when vehicular or pedestrian traffic necessitates dangerous maneuvering that exceeds the performance capabilities of the vehicle or driver

Question 13

In all fresh pursuits into the County, a PGPD officer shall complete a Case Record. The Case Record shall include the following:

Answer 13

 The federal agent or out-of-state/MPD officer’s name, I.D. number, and agency phone number
 Names, addresses, and phone numbers of all victims, witnesses, and suspects
 Description of the actions of the federal agent or out-of-state/MPD officer and the assistance of the PGPD officers, indicating whether any transfer of
the prisoner custody occurred