FOOT PURSUIT 3.220

Question 1

Officer Safety Concerns

Answer 1

The following officer safety concerns should be considered:

1. The potential for violence to officers or citizens
2. The officer is acting alone
3. The subject is known or believed to be armed
4. The officer becomes unsure of his/her location and direction of travel
5. Radio contact is lost with Dispatch or backup officers
6. The officer loses possession of his/her firearm, radio, or other essential equipment
7. The subject enters a building, structure, confined space, or otherwise isolated area
8. The Ofcr becomes aware of unanticipated circumstances that increase the risk to officers or the public i.e. baiting to ambush
9. An ofcr pursuing multiple subjects does not reasonably believe he/she would be able to control the subjects should a confrontation occur
10. Two or more officers involved in the pursuit become separated, lose visual contact with one another, or obstacles separate them to the degree they cannot immediately assist each other
11. The need to secure department vehicles left unlocked or running.

Question 2

Foor Pursuit definition

Answer 2

An incident where an officer chases on foot a subject who is attempting to avoid being taken into custody

Question 3

Containment

Answer 3

The isolation of a subject within a confined/controlled area large or small with the intent of preventing the subject’s escape

Question 4

What are the Responsibilities of the Officer Initiating the foot Pursuit?

Answer 4

Officers should broadcast:
1. Unit Identifier
2. Location and direction of travel
3. Reason for the foot pursuit
4. Number of subjects and descriptions
5. Whether the subject is known or believed to be armed.

Question 5

Officers WILL summon medical attention when

Answer 5

the subject is injured, complains of injury, or shows signs of distress

Question 6

When a foot pursuit terminates

Answer 6

An officer WILL notify Dispatch with location and the status of the pursuit termination (subject in custody or lost sight of suspect and will direct further actions

Question 7

Transition from Apprehension to Containment

Answer 7

When an officer loses sight of the suspect, the officer SHOULD consider transitioning from “pursuit to apprehend” to “pursuit to contain.” In the transition to containment the officer SHOULD:

1. Use protective cover or a position of advantage near where the suspect was last seen
2. Broadcast the suspect’s description and last direction of travel
3. Establish a perimeter
4. Evaluate the time needed for the arrival of additional resources

By maintaining a position where the suspect was last physically seen , the officer effectively seals one avenue of escape and gives arriving K9 and Air Support a position from which to start their search WHILE in containment MAINTAINING THE PERIMITER IS PRIORITY. Responding Ofcrs not engaged in apprehension WILL establish a 360 degree perimeter

Question 8

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY-FOOT PURSUIT

Answer 8

A Supervisor WILL RESPOND to a Foot Pursuit when the following occur:

1. Injury to an Officer, Citizen, or Suspect
2. Any entry into a residence or similar structure regardless if it is occupied or not
3. Any reportable force
4. Any other unusual occurrence that warrants supervisory oversight

Question 9

Supervisor Responsibility-Foot Pursuits

Answer 9

A Supervisor WILL make reasonable efforts to ascertain information, direct responding resources, and take command of the foot pursuit. The Supervisor’s presence is NOT REQUIRED To exercise control over the foot pursuit and the supporting resources.

Recognizing foot pursuits are dynamic and dangerous for both the public and involved officers, supervisors WILL make every effort to respond and will continuously assess the situation to ensure the foot pursuit is conducted within established department guidelines.