Updated Pursuit Policy: Opportunity and Responsibility

The department's pursuit policy has recently been revised, providing officers with greater flexibility. The Sheriff has made it clear that suspects should not be able to simply accelerate and avoid contact or arrest. These changes are a positive step forward, but this is not a free-for-all to pursue "until the wheels come off."

As outlined in the policy, officers may initiate pursuits under the following circumstances: 1. Violent Felonies — When feasible, officers should attempt to confirm the crime occurred. 2. Clear and immediate danger to the public — Officers must be able to clearly articulate the threat. This cannot be based solely on a suspect fleeing from a traffic stop. 3. Stolen vehicles (new category) — Officers may now pursue for stolen vehicles, which was previously restricted. 4. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) (new category) — The suspect's driving behavior must clearly indicate impairment. 5. Vehicles related to Major Case Protocol (MCP) or identified/ongoing crime series (new category). If the crime does not meet the above pursuit criteria, the Incident Commander (IC) will determine authorization for each operating period. For ongoing crime series, the patrol supervisor will decide based on available intelligence.

What This Policy IS NOT

This is NOT an open invitation to pursue anyone for any reason. Violations of policy and unsafe driving will not be tolerated or overlooked by LVMPD. P#20233 Although the Sheriff wants you to chase suspects in certain circumstances, he will say, "Not like that" if you violate the current policy. Nothing in the new policy allows you to drive faster than prior pursuit or code three driving. Officers are not authorized to drive faster simply because a suspect is. Officers must still clear red lights and stop signs per training and policy and cannot just go through them or "visually clear" a red light without stopping and clearing each lane at an angle as learned via training.

Officers must continually evaluate whether the suspect's actions create a greater risk to the public than the pursuit itself.

How to Prepare

You can prepare for your next pursuit in multiple ways. Officers should: 1. Complete and then review regularly all department policy and training. 2. Regularly practice through mental rehearsal at least once a week radio traffic regarding a potential pursuit. Practice calling out direction, the reason for the pursuit, vehicle, plate, occupants, pedestrian and vehicle traffic, weather, updates, etc. Also mentally practice calling out wrecks or foot pursuits at termination points and consider tactics to deploy if everyone runs from the car, or if someone runs but the car is still occupied. 3. In your mental rehearsal, you are wrong if you are not mentally considering and practicing calling off your own pursuit when it goes too far or the risks outweigh continuing to chase this vehicle. 4. Consider and mentally rehearse other resources you should request: supervisors, drone or air unit, K-9, other area commands or departments, etc.

Conduct squad-level discussions and tabletop exercises. Have thorough debriefs of all post-event pursuits with fellow officers to determine what was done well and where improvements can be made. Preparation, judgement, and discipline are what will determine the success of this policy. Practice deliberately and consistently so that when the moment comes, you are ready to perform at the highest levels when the bad guy takes off.