93-031 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Departmental Order No. 509 Page 8 and preferably a sergeant 0~ lieutenant, to document the circumstances surrounding the pursuit on the daily sergeants log. If the pursuit results in an accident or injury, the field supervisor will be required to complete an administrative report directed to the Chief of Police detailing the circumstances of the pursuit and the resulting accident. The initiating officer and others deemed necessary shall submit memoranda of the pursuit as directed by their supervisor. XI STOPPING THE VEHICLE ae Ramming of fleeing vehicles should be avoided. Neither should attempts be made to run the pursued vehicle off the road. If the pursuing unit believes either of these steps are necessary, such action should only be taken in case of major felonies (i.e. PC 187) and then only if the character of the roadway, speeds involved, or hazards to other persons are considered and circumstances still justify such drastic action. As with all decisions related to the conduct of a pursuit, officers must consider the danger of taking this action and must place the safety of the public over the apprehension of the suspect. Establishing roadblocks is extremely hazardous and should be undertaken only as a last resort. Only in cases where the violator constitutes a continuing and major threat to the safety of others and other efforts have failed should the road be blocked. On freeways, roadblocks and slowdowns should be avoided unless absolutely necessary and only if specifically requested by pursuing units. Both the pursued and pursuing vehicles, as well as innocent motorists, are placed in serious jeopardy by slowing or stopping freeway traffic. If a roadblock is set, pursuing units (and other agencies) must be made aware of its existence, and be given sufficient prior warning as to its location. The blocking of freeway exits or on-ramps is acceptable to preclude citizens from inadvertently driving into the path of the pursuit or to keep the pursued vehicle from returning to congested surface streets.