Policy Text
Departmental Memorandum
Volume 24-21
To: All Sworn Katherine Lester , Chief of Police
From : Captain Neil Cybulski, Research and Development/Training
Annual Vehicle Pursuit Policy Acknowledgement
12-06-2024
CA Vehicle Code § 17004.7 protects our agency from civil liability when our agency provides annual training
and requires officers to acknowledge that they have received, read, and understand the
vehicle pursuit policy. Completing the vehicle pursuit policy assignment is your acknowledgement that you
have received, read, and understand the policy. If you have any questions about the policy, you may seek
clarification from your immediate supervisor or contact EVOC Sergeant Vassallo .
This assignment requires all sworn peace officers to :
1. Review General Order 521.01 ( Pursuit of Velicles) – see next page.
2. Complete training in the POST learning portal – instructions below.
Accessing the POST learning portal:
1. Log in to the learning portal here: lp.post.ca.gov/PublicWelcome.aspx
2. Select “Enroll in Courses” from the left -hand side.
3. Search for “Vehicle Pursuit Policy, CPT Cycle 23- 24, s2” and select e nroll.
4. Once you have enrolled in the course, you will receive an email with instructions to access the course.
5. Complete this course.
Upon completion of the course, you will be required to attest that pursuant to Vehicle Code §17004.7(b)(2), you
have received, read, and understand my agency’s vehicle pursuit policy. Completion of the course, and
signature of completion for this Acumen course meets this requirement, you do not need to complete the
attestation form in the POST assignment.
The POST course and acknowledgement of this Acumen assignment must be completed on or before
12/31/2024.
Departmental Memorandum
Volume 1
To: All Sworn Katherine Lester , Chief of Police
From : Captain Neil Cybulski, Research and Development/Training
521.01
PURSUIT OF VEHICLES
03-20-18
PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for vehicle pursuits.
POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Sacramento Police Department to closely control and monitor
pursuits consistent with California law and the safety of all persons.
PROCEDURE
A. DEFINITION
1. PURSUIT – An active attempt by a peace officer, while operating a motor vehicle, to apprehend
a suspect who is also operating a motor vehicle and trying to avoid capture by using high- speed
driving or other evasive tactics, including, but not limited to, driving off a highway, making a
sudden or unexpected movement, driving on the wrong side of the roadway, or driving in a legal manner but failing t o yield to the officer’s signal to stop.
2. SURVEILLANCE MODE – A response in which an air unit is used as an observation platform
for continued surveillance of a motor vehicle after a pursuit has been terminated at the direction of a supervisor. Operating in Surveillance Mode allows officers on the ground to work in
conjunction with the air unit to maintain a loose containment of the motor vehicle until the suspect stops and abandons the motor vehicle.
3. BLUE TEAM (BT) – IA Pro Blue Team is Web- based computer software that allows sergeants to
enter UOF and pursuit incidents from a Department computer.
B. SAFETY RULES ABOUT PURSUITS
California Vehicle Code Section 21055 states that the driver of an emergency vehicle may disregard Division 11, “Rules of the Road,” when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator or when responding to an emergency. This provision does not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor does it protect the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the consequences of an arbitrary exercise of the provision.
C. GENERAL
1. Officers in a vehicle pursuit shall immediately
a. Activate emergency lights.
b. Sound the siren continuously.
2. A Code 3 response is justified in a pursuit by a unit other than the initiating or secondary unit
only when authorized by a supervisor.
D. FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN INITIATING, CONTINUING, AND TERMINATING PURSUITS
1. When a suspect exhibits the intention of avoiding arrest by using a vehicle to flee, or refuses to
stop, officer(s) shall consider public safety and effective law enforcement to determine whether
initiation of a vehicle pursuit is reasonable. Factors to be considered include
a. The nature of the offense.
b. Is the pursuit reasonable with regard to posted and safe speed limits and road, weather, and
Departmental Memorandum
Volume 1
To: All Sworn Katherine Lester , Chief of Police
From : Captain Neil Cybulski, Research and Development/Training
traffic conditions?
2. The involved officer(s) and supervisor shall continually reassess whether a pursuit should
continue. Factors the involved officer(s) and supervisor shall consider in determining whether a pursuit should continue or be terminated include, but shall not be l imited to :
a. The safety of the public in the area of the pursuit.
b. The volume of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, roadway and environmental conditions, and
the time of day.
c. The violation for which the suspect is wanted.
d. The speed and driving exhibited by the violator.
e. The distance of the pursuit.
f. The physical condition of the police vehicle(s) in the pursuit.
g. The suspect has been identified to the point that he/she can be apprehended at a later time.
h. The