NCJ Number
218532
Date Published
December 1995
Length
42 pages
Annotation
These guidelines developed by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), along with associated explanations, are intended to guide California law enforcement executives as they consider the broad range of issues that should be addressed in vehicle-pursuit policies and training.
Abstract
The guidelines do not constitute mandatory pursuit policy, nor are they intended to be a standard for any agency. Instead, they provide a resource for each law enforcement executive to use in creating a vehicle pursuit policy that is appropriate for a given agency and the jurisdiction it serves. The guidelines pertain to various issues and practices associated with officer vehicle pursuits. Specific topics addressed in the guidelines include when to initiate a pursuit, the number of law enforcement units permitted to be involved in a pursuit and the responsibility of primary and secondary units, and communications. Other guidelines address supervisory responsibilities; driving tactics; and blocking, ramming, boxing, and roadblock procedures. Remaining guidelines focus on speed limits, air support, termination of a pursuit, the capture of suspects, interjurisdictional considerations, and reporting and post-pursuit analysis. One section of the guidelines outlines minimum standards for legislatively mandated training courses in vehicle pursuit. Appended California codes pertinent to police vehicle pursuits and a 89-item bibliography