Policy Text
Policy
451Fremont Police Department
Vehicle Containment Technique (VCT)
451.1 PURPOSE AND INTENT
The purpose and intent of the Vehicle Containment Technique (VCT) is to safely apprehend
suspect(s) located in vehicles by maximizing the element of surprise, restricting suspect
movements (avenues of escape), and thus, reducing the risk of harm to the public, officers and
the suspect.
451.2 DEFINITION
Vehicle Containment Technique (VCT): The coordinated use of unmarked police vehicles by police
personnel to restrict the movement of a suspect vehicle by blocking the suspect vehicle at the
front and rear, with the goal of preventing the suspect(s) from escaping in the vehicle and initiating
a pursuit. Additional police vehicles may be utilized to further restrict movements of the suspect
vehicle through containment of the driver and passenger side of the suspect vehicle. Natural or
pre-set barriers may act as a block to safely restrict movement of a suspect vehicle. Examples
of a pre-set barrier would be buildings, walls, parked vehicles, trees, fences, and other natural
barriers with the ability to limit a vehicle’s movement.
451.3 AUTHORIZED USE
A VCT may be utilized by trained officers to detain and/or arrest a person they reasonably believe
to have committed a violent felony, or are committing a felony involving violence or for crimes
where the suspect is believed to be armed with a firearm or other dangerous weapon. This tactic
may also be authorized to apprehend persons who have shown a propensity for violence as a
result of actions, statements or behavior.
The SWAT Tactical Team and other designated specialized units may be granted authorization to
utilize this technique, but only after receiving approval from the Division Commander overseeing
SWAT and the SWAT Team Commander.
Only a trained VCT Supervisor of VCT authorized units may approve a deployment.
451.4 DEPLOYMENT
451.4.1 PRE-DEPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Prior to authorizing a VCT, trained VCT supervisors must assess, evaluate and consider the safety
of the public, officers and the suspect.Considerations should include but are not limited to:
1. Nature/Severity of crime;
2. Suspect(s)’s criminal history or threat level;
3. Suspect(s)'s access to or proximity of weapons;
4. Significant risk of flight by the suspect(s) and an articulable assessment of continued
violence by the suspect(s)if allowed to escape;
5. Appropriateness of the selected location for the VCT (avoid schools, crowds, businesses, etc.);
6. Number of suspects and uninvolved occupants in the suspect vehicle or the inability to
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Fremont Police Department
Vehicle Containment Technique (VCT)
determine this information;
7. Number of available VCT trained officers to perform the VCT;
8. Availability of supportive resources (air support, K9, UAV, electronic tracking technology);
9. General risk assessment considering the community, officers and suspect; and
10. Availability of other tactics and apprehension options.
A minimum of three (3) police vehicles should be utilized to conduct a VCT. However, two (2) police
vehicles may be used only when it appears reasonably necessary and safe to support tactical
opportunities.It is understood that situations evolve rapidly, and therefore, approval to use two
police vehicles is not required pre-deployment. Notification to the unit supervisor/manager must
however be initiated post-deployment.
The Vehicle Containment Technique often requires officers to make intentional low speed contact
with the suspect vehicle and is generally considered non-deadly force in accordance with
our department’s Use of Force Policy.If in the judgment of an officer or on-scene supervisor,
intentional vehicle contact would create a risk of significant injury to uninvolved persons, officers or
suspect(s), contact should be avoided unless deadly force is justified. Trained VCT personnel are
not compelled to make intentional contact with the suspect vehicle if they perceive their actions
would create a serious risk of injury to uninvolved persons, officers or suspect(s).
VCT deployments are often unpredictable and evolve rapidly. As referenced in the department’s
Use of Force Policy, the reasonableness of force will be judged from the perspective of a
reasonable officer on the scene at the time of the incident.Any evaluation of reasonableness must
allow for the fact that officers are often forced to make split-second decisions about the amount
of force that reasonably appears necessary in a particular situation, with limited information and
in circumstances that are tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving.Therefore, the decision to make
intentional contact with the suspect vehicle is at the discretion of the officer based on the listed
considerations and the circumstances perceived at the time of the deployment.
Officers, who are trained and authorized to deploy controlled deflation devices, may utilize the
devices during a VCT if necessary.
VCTs shall not be utilized during a vehicle pursuit unless the suspect vehicle slows to a safe
speed, allowing the utilization of a VCT to contain the suspect vehicle.
451.4.2 POST-DEPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
After the scene of a VCT is stabilized and if vehicle contact occurs, occupants of the suspect
vehicle should be asked if they are in need of medical attention.Medical aid shall be provided if
requested by occupants of the suspect vehicle.
451.5 TRAINING
The Fremont Police SWAT Tactical Team will be responsible for oversight of the VCT
technique, which includes evaluation of best practices and standards for training and
deployment