GO - 58013 - - Foot - Pursuit

SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS GO 580.13 Page 1 of 3 580.13 FOOT PURSUIT S 04-11-2023 PURPOSE The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for foot pursuits and give officers direction and options to consider before , during , and after initiating a foot pursuit, as well as when an officer should terminate a foot pursui t. POLICY It shall be the policy of the Sacramento Police Department that officer and public safety should be the overriding consideration in determining whether a foot pursuit will be initiated , continued, or terminated. Officers sh ould continuously assess and evaluate whether the need for apprehension justifies the risk to the safety of the officers, the public, and the fleeing suspect. If at any time the pursuing officers, or their supervisors, determine the risk to safety outlined in this order supersedes the need for apprehension, the foot pursuit should be terminated. PROCEDURE A. DEFINITION 1. FOOT PURSUIT: An incident where an officer pursues on foot , a person who is evading detention or arrest . 2. RESISTING ARREST: Any person who willfully resists, delays, or obstructs any public officer, peace officer, or an emergency medical technician , in the discharge or attempt to discharge any duty of their office or employment is in violation of Penal Code § 148(a)( 1). 3. REASONABLE SUSPICION : Reasonable suspicion occurs when an officer reasonably believes a person is about to engage in, is engaging in, or has engaged in criminal activity. Mere flight by a person who is not suspected of criminal activity shall not serve as justification for engaging in any foot pursuit without the development of reasonable suspicion regarding the individual’s involvement in criminal activity or being wanted by law enforcement. B. GENERAL 1. Although it is an officer’s decision to initiate a stop, it is the suspect or violator who decides to initiate a foot pursuit by fleeing. 2. No sworn officer sh all be disciplined for not initiating , not engaging in, or for terminating a foot pursuit if the risk of pursuing outweighs the need for apprehension. C. FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN INITIATING, CONTINUING, AND TERMINATING FOOT PURSUITS 1. When a suspect exhibits the i ntention of avoiding arrest by fleeing on foot and refusing to stop, officers should consider public safety and effective law enforcement to determine whether initiation of a foot pursuit is reasonable. An officer may pursue suspects only when they reasonably believe the suspect has committed an act that would justify a stop, investigative detention, or arrest. 2. The involved officers and supervisor should continually assess the facts and circumstances of a situation when determining when to initiate, continue, or terminate a foot pursuit. SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS GO 580.13 Page 2 of 3 3. In deciding whether to initiate or continue a foot pursuit, an officer should consider if the following resources are available: a. Aircraft support . b. K9 support . c. Additional patrol or outside agency personnel . 4. In deciding whether to initiate, continue, or terminate a foot pursuit, officers should consider the following factors : a. Whether the officer is a cting alone or with assistance . b. The availability and distance of assisting officers . c. Familiarity of the area. d. Knowledge of the fleeing suspect’s : (1) Identity that could lead to apprehension at another time . (2) Criminal violation , if any . (3) Possession of weapons . (4) Criminal background and propensity for violence. e. Physical capabilities of the officer to safely control the suspect once apprehended. f. The number of suspects who have fled. g. The suspect enter ing a building, structure, confined space, isolated area , or dense or difficult terrain . h. Quality of radio communications . i. Weather conditions, darkness or visibility . j. Whether pursuing officers have lost sight of the suspect and for how long. 5. When a supervisor orders a foot pursuit to be terminated, officer s shall not continue to pursue the suspect. D. INITIATING OFFICER ’S RESPONSIBILITIES 1. The officer initiating a foot pursuit should, as soon as practical, activate their Body Worn Camera and broadcast the following information: a. Unit identifier and that a foot pursuit has been initiate d. b. Officer location and direction of travel . c. Number of suspects and description. d. Any knowledge regarding the suspect’s possession of weapons . e. Reason for the foot pursuit . 2. Identify themselves as an officer to the fleeing suspect and order them to stop. E. FOOT PURSUIT COORDINATION 1. The primary (initiating) officer should, as soon as practical , coordinate with assisting officers and the comm unication center to establish a perimeter and contain the suspects. 2. Assisting officers should respond and attempt to contain the pursued suspects. a. Officers should respond to the appropriate locations of the incident based on the information provided. 3. When two or more officers are in foot pursuit, they should : a. Maintain communication with one another . b. Work as a team to safely contain, locate, and apprehend the suspects within the perimeter . 4. When an officer has decided to terminate a foot pursuit but has reason to believe the suspect is contained in the immediate area