THE LAW PERMITS POLICE OFFICERS ENGAGED IN FRESH PURSUIT TO EXCEED THE SPEED LIMIT AND TO DISREGARD OTHER TRAFFIC REGULATIONS AS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN FRESH PURSUIT OF A VIOLATOR BUT ONLY IF EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND THE SIREN ARE EMPLOYED AND IF REASONABLE CARE IS TAKEN TO INSURE SAFETY. ALTERNATIVES TO HIGH-SPEED PURSUIT MUST BE EMPLOYED WHERE POSSIBLE, INCLUDING PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS, SPOTLIGHTS, AND WAITING UNTIL A SUBJECT PARKS OR STOPS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. EVERY PATROL VEHICLE HAS A MAXIMUM SPEED AT WHICH IT CAN BE OPERATED SAFELY; LIMITING FACTORS ARE TYPE AND CONDITION OF TIRES, AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, CONDITION OF BRAKES, AND CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION SYSTEM, OPERATOR'S EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING IN HIGH-SPEED OPERATION, AND DEGREE OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE ROAD BEING TRAVELED AND ROAD SURFACE AND PRECIPITATION OR OTHER SUBSTANCES ON THE ROAD SURFACE. WHEN INITIATING A PURSUIT, POLICE OFFICERS MUST COMMUNICATE WITH THE DISPATCHER AND OTHER UNITS TO RELAY IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PURSUIT. POLICE OFFICERS MUST USE ONLY THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF FORCE NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR MISSION, ARE JUSTIFIED IN FIRING AT OR FROM A MOVING VEHICLE DURING PURSUIT ONLY TO DEFEND THEMSELVES OR OTHER PERSONS FROM AN ATTACK OR TO EFFECT THE ARREST OR PREVENT THE ESCAPE OF A DANGEROUS FELON, AND SHOULD DISCONTINUE PURSUIT WHEN HAZARDS OF EXPOSING THEM AND THE PUBLIC TO UNNECESSARY DANGERS ARE HIGH, WHEN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS INDICATE THE FUTILITY OF CONTINUED PURSUIT, WHEN THE OFFENSE IS A MISDEMEANOR AND THE IDENTITY OF THE VIOLATOR IS UNKNOWN, AND WHEN IT IS KNOWN THAT THE FLEEING VEHICLE IS OPERATED BY A JUVENILE WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COPE WITH SAFETY FACTORS INVOLVED IN HIGH-PURSUIT. THE LEGAL IMPACT OF EXCEEDING LIMITS OF AUTHORITY BY POLICE OFFICERS IS CONSIDERED. (DEP)
EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATION - FRESH PURSUIT - TRAINING KEY NO 272
NCJ Number
58106
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
TACTICS AND PROCEDURES RELATED TO EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATION AND THE PURSUIT OF TRAFFIC REGULATION VIOLATORS BY POLICE OFFICERS ARE DESCRIBED IN THIS TRAINING NOTE.
Abstract