Pursuit Authorized

For several months now, we have heard about the potential for a revised pursuit policy. As I write this article, we are officially 10 days into the new version of Policy 3.210 "Vehicle Pursuit." And it has not disappointed. We have already had several successful pursuits.

First and foremost, make no mistake. This is the least restrictive pursuit policy I have seen in my 22-plus years with the LVMPD. Before we discuss vehicle pursuits, I want to thank Sheriff McMahill for making these revisions and for, at the very least, affording those pushing a sled the opportunity to go out there and "get after it" and chase down bad guys.

How long we get to keep this new policy, how long we get to go out there and "get after it," solely rests on the shoulders of the men and women pushing black and white, and that responsibility is tremendous.

Simply put, if those initiating and participating in vehicle pursuits consistently make bad decisions, exercise poor judgment while participating in vehicle pursuits, expect to go right back to where we started. We must always remember it is incumbent upon us to stay proficient in our craft. Vehicle pursuits are low-frequency, high-stress, and high-risk events that sometimes have fatal consequences. The people we chase do not follow policies, laws, and most likely have zero training on how to handle a vehicle at speed. You must constantly work towards improving your ability to function proficiently in those high-stress encounters. You must take measures to set yourself and your squadmates up for success.

We have seen cases throughout the country of vehicle pursuits that ended in high-speed collisions involving cop cars and unrelated civilian vehicles. The revised Vehicle Pursuit Policy is 20 pages. If you push a sled and have yet to visit this policy and operate with a comprehensive knowledge of it, you are wrong. Stop reading this right now and read that instead.

Page 2 of the revised policy states in part, 3.210.2 Pursuit Criteria: "When making the decision to initiate a vehicle pursuit, the intention will be immediate apprehension to limit the time and distance officers are engaged in the pursuit." It also reads in part, "vehicle pursuits will be conducted in strict compliance with Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 484B.700 'Emergency Vehicles and Processions,' which states: 'The provisions of this section do not relieve the driver from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and do not protect the driver from the consequences of the driver's reckless disregard for the safety of others.'"

Never operate your sled outside of your and your vehicle's capabilities. Never drive through a red intersection. Do not yell on the radio. Always remain the number one car in the pursuit. Be safe, have fun, and make sure we all go home at the end of the shift.