Policy 2

Subject:
Vehicular Pursuits
Distribution: Effective Date: Number of Pages:
All Police Personnel September 30, 2022 Page 1 of 7
Revision Date(s): January 5, 2016

Approved: Bo Luckey

POLICY:

The manner in which vehicular pursuits are undertaken, performed, monitored,

terminated, and supervised is strictly regulated. The decision to initiate a pursuit must
be based on the pursuing officer’s conclusion of factors listed in this policy.

DEFINITIONS:

Authorized emergency vehicle: A vehicle of Capitol Police equipped with operable

emergency equipment as designated by state law, including a siren and emergency
signaling lights.

Primary unit: The police unit that initiates a vehicular pursuit or any unit that
assumes control of the pursuit.

Secondary unit: Any police vehicle that becomes involved in a vehicular pursuit as
a backup to the primary unit and follows the primary unit at a safe distance.

Vehicular Pursuit: An active attempt by officers in an authorized emergency vehicle

to apprehend fleeing suspects who actively attempt to elude the police.

PROCEDURES:

1. Only officers who have been trained in pursuit driving are authorized to
pursue or participate as a driver in a pursuit.

RESTRICTED LAW ENFORCEMENT DATA

The data contained within this policy is proprietary and will not be duplicated, disclosed, or discussed, without the written
permission of the Chief of Police. Data subject to this restriction is contained throughout this policy.
CAPITOL POLICE DEPARTMENT “Vehicular Pursuits”
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Capitol Police Department Date September 30, 2022

2. In deciding whether to initiate pursuit, officers must consider:

a. Road, weather, and environmental conditions;

b. Population density, vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and type of
neighborhood;
c. Relative performance capabilities of the pursuit vehicle and the vehicle
being pursued;
d. Seriousness of the offense;
e. Presence of other persons in the police vehicle and vehicle being
pursued;
f. Skill, training; and experience of the pursuing officer; and
g. Alternative means and opportunity of apprehending the suspect.
h. The length of the pursuit;
i. The pursuing officers rate of speed in comparison to the posted speed
limit.

Pursuit Officer Responsibilities:

Include, but are not limited to:

1. Pursuing officer will activate appropriate Warning equipment, including audible

siren and emergency signaling lights.
2. Initiating officer will notify Communications (dispatch) and advise
that a pursuit is underway. The officer will provide communications with the
following information:
a. Unit identification;
b. Initial offense and reason for the stop;
c. Location, speed, and direction of travel of the fleeing vehicle;
d. Description and license plate number, if known, of the fleeing vehicle;
e. Number of occupants in the fleeing vehicle, and descriptions,
where possible; and
f. Reasons supporting the decision to pursue.

3. Failure to provide this information to Communications may result in

an immediate decision by a supervisor to order pursuit termination.

RESTRICTED LAW ENFORCEMENT DATA

The data contained within this policy is proprietary and will not be duplicated, disclosed, or discussed, without the written
permission of the Chief of Police. Data subject to this restriction is contained throughout this policy.
CAPITOL POLICE DEPARTMENT “Vehicular Pursuit”
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Capitol Police Department Date September 30, 2022

Spike Strips:

Officers trained in the use of and issued spike strip systems may deploy spike strips
as a non-lethal means to forcibly stop and/or slow down a fleeing vehicle. Spike
strips are designed to be used to stop vehicles with at least four wheels and on
paved surfaces.

1. When using a roadblock, spike strips will be deployed across the lane made
available as an avenue for escape;

2. Officers will NOT step in the path of a moving vehicle to deploy spike strips

3. Spike strips shall be utilized and deployed in the manner in which the officer
is trained and only when deployment can be done in a safe manner with
minimal risk to the officer.

4. Officers deploying spike strips shall notify dispatch of the following so as

to notify pursuing units of their presence:

a. The exact location where the officer is setup;

b. The exact lane in which the spike strips will be deployed;
c. Once deployed, if the suspect vehicle drove over the spike strips.

5. Once spike strips are successfully deployed and the spikes on the particular
system need replacing, the officer will notate such information in their written
report and request from the property officer that the spikes be
replenished/repaired/replaced.

Inter-jurisdictional Pursuits:

1. Pursuing officers will notify communications when it is likely for pursuits to

cross into neighboring jurisdictions or across city or state lines.

2. Pursuit into a bordering state will conform to the laws of both states and any
applicable inter-jurisdictional agreements.

3. When pursuits enter this jurisdiction, officers will be governed by the policies

RESTRICTED LAW ENFORCEMENT DATA

The data contained within this policy is proprietary and will not be duplicated, disclosed, or discussed, without the written
permission of the Chief of Police. Data subject to this restriction is contained throughout this policy.
CAPITOL POLICE DEPARTMENT “Vehicular Pursuit”
 General Operating Guidelines of Policy 2
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Capitol Police Department Date September 30, 2022

of their own agencies, specific inter-local agreements, and state law.

After-Action Reporting:

1. Any officer participating in a vehicle pursuit must file a written report on the
appropriate form detailing the circumstances, their actions, and their
observations.

2. Supervisors will determine whether policy was followed and identify training
deficiencies or areas needing attention, if any.

3. Supervisors will complete an after-action report at the scene where the

pursuit was terminated.

4. Assistant Chief will periodically analyze pursuit activity and identify any
additions, deletions, or modifications warranted in department pursuit
procedures and training.

Pursuit Review:

The Command Staff will collectively review and analyze all pursuits annually so as to
address policy, training, an equipment needs.

September 30, 2022

Bo Luckey Date
Chief of Police

RESTRICTED LAW ENFORCEMENT DATA

The data contained within this policy is proprietary and will not be duplicated, disclosed, or discussed, without the written
permission of the Chief of Police. Data subject to this restriction is contained throughout this policy.
CAPITOL POLICE DEPARTMENT “Vehicular Pursuit”