The basic dilemma associated with police pursuits of fleeing suspects is deciding whether the benefits of potential apprehension outweigh the risks of endangering police officers, the public and suspects in the chase. On the one hand, too many restrictions placed on police pursuits could place the public at risk from dangerous individuals escaping apprehension. On the other hand, insufficient controls on police pursuits could result in needless accidents and injuries.
POLICY
It is the policy of the (law enforcement agency) to protect lives while enforcing the law. In addition, it is the responsibility of the (law enforcement agency) to guide its officers in the safe and reasonable performance of their duties. To accomplish these goals, the following policy is provided to control and regulate the manner in which emergency vehicle operations are undertaken and performed. When engaged in emergency vehicle operations in the performance of official duties, drivers of authorized emergency vehicles are granted exemptions, by statute, from certain traffic laws. These exemptions are provided to help protect lives, not to place them at undue risk.
DEFINITIONS
Pursuit: A multi-stage process by which a police officer initiates a vehicular stop and a driver resists the signal or order to stop, increases speed, takes evasive action and/or refuses to stop the vehicle. Once the driver refuses to obey the police officer’s signal or order, this pursuit policy and procedure will determine the officer’s and agency’s actions.
Termination of a Pursuit: A pursuit shall terminate when the pursuing officer(s) turn off the emergency equipment, resume routine vehicle operation and informs dispatch, or when the suspect vehicle stops.
Divided Highway: Any highway that is separated into two or more roadways by:
- a physical barrier, or
- a clearly indicated dividing section so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic.......
