Vehicle Pursuits Flashcards
What are some additional factors to consider when terminating a pursuit?
1) Distance between the suspect vehicle and the pursuing vehicles
2) Suspect’s vehicle location is no longer known
3) Pursuing vehicle is damaged and no longer safer to continue
4) Lighting or sire quit workin, making it too dangerous to continue
When are officers authorized to initiate a pursuit?
When it is reasonable to believe the suspect, is attempting to evade arrest or detention by fleeing.
When are officers allowed to use pursuit intervention techniques?
Only when approved by the shift supervisor and is safest to do so while balancing the risks to the public and officers
What is the main case law cited when discussing vehicle pursuits?
Scott v. Harris - brief synopsis is a vehicle was driving at a high rate of speed and refusing to stop for LE. Officers used their vehicle to perform a tactical vehicle intervention. Which resulted in the vehicle rolling and causing severe injuries to the suspect.
Courts ruled in the officers favor because the suspect’s actions threatened the safety of innocent bystanders.
What are some factors to consider when initiating a pursuit?
1) seriousness of the known or suspected crime, and its relationship to community safety
2) importance of protecting the public or balancing the need for immediate capture against the risks to officers and or the public
3) the safety of the public in its relationship to the location of occurrence (e.g. school zone or busy public area)
4) officers familiarity with the area where the pursuit is taking place and quality of radio comms
5) weather, road, and traffic conditions
6) if the identity of the suspect is known
7) capabilities of the vehicles in the pursuit
8) emergency lighting and siren limitations
9) vehicle speeds
10) availability of resources
Who can perform TVI’s per policy?
Only properly trained officer with the approval from a supervisor shall perform a TVI
What should officers not involved in the pursuit do?
The officers not involved in the pursuit should clear and block intersections, set up road blocks, position themselves strategically to deploy stop sticks, if available.
When to terminate a pursuit as a supervisor?
When the risks associated outweigh the risks of letting the suspect escape
When should a pursuit of a vehicle for a non-violent misdemeanor occur?
Pursuits for non-violent misdemeanors and generally discouraged due to the risks outweighing the rewards
What do the factors considered in initiating a pursuit have to do with the factors in terminating a pursuit?
The factors apply equally to the decision as to imitate or terminate
