Policy Text
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 402 – Vehicle Pursuit
Page 1 of 7 TITLE: VEHICLE PURSUIT 402
EFFECTIVE: 07/01/2015 REVISED: 10/31/2025 SCOPE : ALL EMPLOYEES
REVIEW AUTHORITY: PATROL DIVISION CAPTAIN
CFA STANDARDS: 14.05M (A-K), 18.10M
402.01 Initiation of a Pursuit 402.08 Safety Considerations / Precautions
402.02 Pursuit Operations 402.09 Termination of Pursuit
402.03 Primary Unit Responsibilities 402.10 Pursuit outside Jurisdiction
402.04 Secondary Units Responsibilities 402.11 Arrests in Another Jurisdiction
402.05 Unmarked Units or Non -Pursuit Rated
Marked Vehicles 402.12 Pursuits by Other Agencies
402.06 Communications Responsibilities 402.13 Reports and Administrative Review
402.07 Pursuit Supervisor 402.14 Training
Policy: The Kissimmee Police Department shall make every reasonable effort to stop violators.
The protection of life, both civilian and law enforcement, is the foremost concern governing this
policy. Officers must balance the need to stop a suspect against the potential threat to themselves
and the public created by a pursuit or apprehension. Officers shall operate Depart ment vehicles
with due regard for public safety during authorized pursuits and discontinue a pursuit if the
apparent danger to the public / officers involved is greater than the benefit derived from the
immediate apprehension of the suspect(s).
402.01 In itiation of a Pursuit: Considering the restrictions contained within this General Order ,
officers may engage in a pursuit when they have a reasonable suspicion a fleeing suspect has
committed or has attempted to commit a violent forcible felony . A violent forcible felony shall be
when a suspect has committed or attempted to commit the following:
a. Murder;
b. Manslaughter;
c. Armed robbery;
d. Armed sexual battery;
e. Arson to a structure reasonably believed to be occupied;
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 402 – Vehicle Pursuit
Page 2 of 7 f. Use of explosive devices to a structure reasonably believed to be occupied;
g. Kidnapping;
h. Armed carjacking;
i. Burglary armed with a firearm;
j. Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with a d eadly weapon (firearm, edged
weapon); does not include a motor vehicle; or
k. Aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer resulting in serious injury.
The fact that an officer had to move from the path of a fleeing vehicle, when it is not reasonably
perceived that the vehicle is being used as a weapon against the officer or others, does not
constitute a violent forcible felony for the purposes of this General Order.
Pursuits for misdemeanor offenses, traffic or civil infractions are prohibited.
If an officer initiates a traffic stop for any misdemeanor offense, traffic offense, or civil infractions
and the driver fails to stop or flees, the officer shall notify the Communications Unit that the driver
has failed to stop. The officer s hall then turn off all emergency equipment, turn their vehicle in
another direction or travel away from the direction from where the suspect vehicle was last seen
heading or pull to the side of the road if on a limited access highway.
The decision to in itiate a pursuit shall be based on the pursuing officer’s determination that the
need to immediately apprehend the suspect outweighs the potential danger to the officer and the
public. The determination is based upon the conditions and circumstances known to exist at the
time. Ultimately, the test shall be the “reasonableness” of the course of action taken. [CFA 14.05M
– A]
In determining whether to initiate or continue a pursuit, the officer shall take into consideration all
of the following [CFA 14.05M – A]:
a. Road, weather, environmental conditions and visibility;
b. Population density and vehicular and pedestrian traffic;
c. The relative performance capabilities of the pursuit vehicle and the vehicle being pursued;
d. The seriousness of the offense;
e. The presence of other persons in the police vehicle;
f. Alternative means of apprehension;
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 402 – Vehicle Pursuit
Page 3 of 7 g. Nature of the suspected violent forcible felony;
h. Potential for endangerment of the public caused by the eluding acts of the fleeing violator;
i. Possibility of identifying the operator and/or vehicle at a later date; and/or
j. Vehicle speeds.
Once the decision has been made to engage in a pursuit, these factors shall continue to be given
careful consideration in determining the maximum s afe speed at which an officers’ vehicle may
travel throughout the pursuit and whether to continue with the pursuit. Also, there should be a plan
to end the pursuit as soon as practical.
Officers, supervisors, and commanders at all levels have a responsibility to closely monitor the
progress of each pursuit. The need for apprehension must be constantly weighed against the
potential danger created by the pursuit.
On rare occasions any commander may authorize a pursuit for exigent circumstances. In each of
these incidences, the Internal Affairs Unit shall conduct a thorough review of the circumstances
surrounding the pursuit and forward the results via the chain of command to