NCJ Number
66541
Date Published
1980
Length
0 pages
Annotation
SAFE PROCEDURES FOR STOPPING VEHICLES DRIVEN BY POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SUSPECTS, INCLUDING MOTORCYCLE GANGS, ARE DRAMATIZED IN THIS FILM FOR POLICE.
Abstract
THE INITIAL SCENE SHOWS THE DEATHS OF TWO POLICE OFFICERS RESULTING FROM UNSAFE TACTICS USED IN STOPPING A CAR DRIVEN BY A BURGLARY SUSPECT. SAFE PROCEDURES FOR STOPPING THE SUSPECT INVOLVE THE PATROL OFFICER CONTACTING THE BACKUP OFFICER AND THEN FOLLOWING THE SUSPECT AT A SAFE DISTANCE--AT LEAST FOUR CAR LENGTHS BEHIND. OTHER PROCEDURES THAT SHOULD BE FOLLOWED INCLUDE SELECTING AN ADVANTAGEOUS LOCATION FOR STOPPING, USING SHORT WARNING BURSTS ON THE HORN, AND TURNING ON THE LIGHTS AND PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM. ALSO EMPHASIZED ARE SAFE STOPPING PROCEDURES (AT LEAST TWO CAR LENGTHS BEHIND THE SUSPECT'S VEHICLE), USING THE BACKUP CAR AS A COVER WHEN ADDRESSING THE SUSPECT, POSITIONING THE SUSPECT SO THAT A WEAPON CANNOT BE EASILY REACHED, CHECKING THE CAR FOR ADDITIONAL OCCUPANTS AND PLACING THEM AWAY FROM THE PATROL CAR AND EACH OTHER, AND USING PRIMARY OFFICERS TO EFFECT ARRESTS. SIMILAR PROCEDURES ARE SHOWN FOR OFFICERS FOLLOWING A VAN, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF USING A FIRM AUTHORITATIVE MANNER IS EMPHASIZED. SAFE PROCEDURES FOR STOPPING OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE GANG MEMBERS ARE ALSO GIVEN. KNOWLEDGE OF AREA GANGS AND GANG WEAPONS AND EMBLEMS IS UNDERSCORED. THE FILM CONCLUDES WITH A SUMMARY OF THE MAJOR POINTS. (AOP)