Vehicle Pursuits

Question 1

Pursuit criteria:

Answer 1

A pursuit will be conducted only for a violent felony or if the suspect presents a clear and immediate danger to the public. A pursuit will not be engaged for a property crime, minor traffic infraction or an occupied stolen vehicle unless the suspect presents the aforementioned clear and immediate danger to the public

If an officer articulates that a subject presents a clear and immediate danger to the public, the monitoring Sergeant, Area Lieutenant or watch commander must verbally approve the pursuit over the radio and can direct officers to continue in the pursuit

Question 2

Field supervisors who allow vehicle pursuits to continue must consider the following initiation and evaluation factors:

Answer 2

1. Whether the need for immediate apprehension of the suspect outweighs the dangers created by the pursuit itself.
2. Whether the suspect is known to officers and/or can be apprehended at a later time.
3. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and road conditions.
4. Nature of the area of the pursuit: residential, commercial, or rural.
5. Weather conditions such as rain, fog, snow, time of day, and visibility which create an unreasonable risk of injury to the public or the pursuing officers.
6. Alternatives to pursuit including the availability of the air unit, the use of PIT, stop sticks, or arrest at a later time.

Question 3

Field supervisor responsibilities during a vehicle pursuit:

Answer 3

1. Immediately acknowledge notification over the radio and assume responsibility for controlling pursuit tactics and continuing the pursuit
2. Order discontinuation of the pursuit when the necessity for apprehension is outweighed by the dangers of the pursuit
3. Consider use of PIT and/or stop sticks.

Question 4

Prior to conducting a felony car stop for a stolen vehicle officers will:

Answer 4

Request the air unit and allow it adequate time to arrive on scene before activating emergency lights and siren.

Question 5

A supervisor who initiates a vehicle pursuit should:

Answer 5

Relinquish the primary position to the first standard marked patrol unit joining the pursuit to enable the Supervisor to maintain control and objectivity of continuing to pursuit or determining if it should be discontinued.

Question 6

Vehicle pursuits will be discontinued when leaving Clark County unless:

Answer 6

The decision to continue is approved by the on duty watch commander or field lieutenant.

Question 7

A supervisor shall not assign officers to a vehicle pursuit initiated by an outside agency unless:

Answer 7

Assistance is requested by the initiating agency, and they provide sufficient information, including the crime the suspects are believed to have committed, in order that a supervisor can determine if the pursuit is in compliance with the provisions of this policy.

If insufficient information is received and/or if the outside initiated pursuit is not in compliance with this policy the pursuit shall not be joined by LVMPD police officers.

Question 8

At the conclusion of a vehicle pursuit, the field supervisor shall:

Answer 8

Respond to the termination point and assume responsibility for the scene ensuring all applicable reports are completed and required notifications made.

Question 9

Air Unit responsibilities during a pursuit:

Answer 9

• Respond to the pursuit scene when dispatched
• Arrive on the scene of the pursuit and assume primary radio responsibilities when visual contact of the suspect vehicle is made
• Assume a surveillance mode, continuing to advise the ground units of the vehicle’s location, traffic congestion, road hazards, that might endanger the ground units or others
• Broadcast information to aid ground units if the pursued vehicle is lost of the suspect flees on foot

Question 10

Once the air unit arrives on a pursuit, ground units will:

Answer 10

Cease emergency operation (lights and siren), reduce speed, and discontinue visual contact with the suspect.

Question 11

When a pursuit is initiated by an officer operating a motorcycle or unmarked patrol vehicle, that officer will:

Answer 11

Relinquish the primary position to the first marked patrol unit joining the pursuit, and will leave the pursuit when a second marked unit joins as the secondary unit. The relieved officer will proceed to the end point of the pursuit.

Question 12

Pursuit definition:

Answer 12

An active attempt by an officer in an authorized emergency vehicle, using emergency equipment, to apprehend a suspect who is failing to yield after due notice or is attempting to avoid apprehension, and whose driving presents a clear and immediate danger.

Question 13

Bubble Tactic definition:

Answer 13

A non-code moving containment of the suspect vehicle at a safe distance to aid in the apprehension of the suspect.

Question 14

Paralleling definition:

Answer 14

Additional police units travelling on adjacent streets using emergency equipment to keep pace with a pursuit.
There will be no Code 3 caravanning or paralleling of units or other attempts to join the pursuit without authorization from a supervisor. If a supervisor authorizes a unit to parallel a pursuit, the unit will adhere to the Code 3 emergency response driving policy. (speed, etc.)

Question 15

True or False

Answer 15

Vehicles not equipped with siren and authorized emergency lights (visible from the front, back and both sides) will not be permitted to take part in a vehicular pursuit under any circumstances.

Question 16

The pursuit will consist of:

Answer 16

The primary unit and secondary unit. The primary unit may request the field supervisor to authorize additional units to join the pursuit, if necessary.