DGO5.05_Emergency_Response_and_Pursuit_Driving

Page 1 of 15 San Francisco Police Department 5.05 GENERAL ORDER Rev. 09/1 8/2024 Eff. 11 /22/2024 EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PURSUIT DRIVING 5.05.01 PURPOSE The purpose of this order is to establish policies and procedures for the operation of police vehicles in both emergency response and pursuit driving situations. Only sworn officers may engage in response and pursuit driving. For purposes of this order, the term “members” means all ranks of sworn peace officers . 5.05.02 POLIC Y A. GENERAL POLICY Members s hall, at all times , drive with due regard for the safety of all persons. B. EMERGENCY (CODE 3) RESPONSE POLICY 1. It is the policy of the San Francisco Police Department that members respond to emergency calls expeditiously. In addition to responding Code 3 when involved in a pursuit, members may respond Code 3 when an emergency response appears reasonably necessary to prevent serious injury to persons, whether or not a criminal offense is involved. 2. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code §17004 and §17004.7(c)(4 ), Field supervisors (Patrol Sergeants) shall continually monitor, evaluate, and control subordinates' emergency responses. Supervisors shall continually evaluate the need for the emergency response against the risk to safety of persons and property. When the risks appear to be unreasonable, the s upervisor shall order the emergency response terminated. C. PURSUIT POLICY 1. The policy of the San Francisco Police Department is to safely apprehend a fleeing violator without unnecessarily endangering the public and/or peace o fficers. DGO 5.05 Rev. 09/1 8/2024 Eff. 11 /22/2024 Page 2 of 15 2. Pursuant to Calif ornia Vehicle Code §17004.7, in determining whether to initiate or continue a vehicle pursuit, members shall balance the known or reasonably suspected offense and the apparent need for immediate capture against the risks to motorists , pedestrians, peace officers, and others to protect the public. When it becomes apparent that the benefits of immediate app rehension are clearly outweighed by an unreasona ble danger to the peace officer or others, the member shall not initiate a pursuit or, if the pursuit is already in progress, the member shall terminate the pursuit. 3. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code §17004 and §17004.7(c)(4), it is the policy of the Department that field supervisors ( Patrol Sergeants) continually monitor, evaluate, and control subordinates’ vehicle pursuits. Supervisors shall continually evaluate the need for the pursuit against the risk to safety of persons and property. When the risks appear to be unreasonable, the supervisor shall immediately order the pursuit terminated. 5.05.03 DEFINITIONS A. EMERGENCY VEHICLE. A vehicle that is driven by a member and used to enforce Vehicle Code violations, perform peace officer duties, respond to emergencies and is equipped with an authorized red light and siren. For the purposes of this order, the terms “police units” and “units” will be used to describe emergency vehicles driven by members. B. EMERGENCY (CODE 3) RESPONS E. An emergency vehicle’s activation of at least one steady burning red warning lamp, visible from the front and sounding of a siren as necessary under the circumstances to provide suitable warning to afford users of the highways the opportunity to yield the right -of-way. C. VEHICLE PURSUIT. A vehicle pursuit is an attempt b y a police unit to s top a moving motor vehicle when the operator of the vehicle is attempting to avoid capture by using willfully evasive tactics or willfully failing to yield. D. PURSUIT SUPERVISOR. A pursuit sup ervisor is a field supervisor of a member involved in a pursuit who assumes control of the pursuit. Only one field supervisor at a time may act as the pursuit supervisor. In addition, higher ranking members retain authority to terminate the pursuit or take control of directing the pursuit at any time. A field supervisor acting as the Primary pursuit unit may not assume the role of pursuit supervisor. A field supervisor or higher -ranking member not acting as the Primary pursuit vehicle, may act as the pursuit supervisor. E. PRIMARY PURSUIT VEHICLE. The police unit initiating the pursuit, unless otherwise designated by the pursuit supervisor or by this order. DGO 5.05 Rev. 09/1 8/2024 Eff. 11 /22/2024 Page 3 of 15 F. MOTORIZED SCOOTER. While the Vehicle Code classifies motorized scooters as a motor vehicle, the Department recognizes that motorized scooters present different challenges and dangers regarding vehicle pursuits. Pursuits of motorized scooters shall fall under the guidance of DGO 5.25 Foot Pursuits. 5.05.04 EMERGENCY (CODE 3) AND NON-EMERGENCY RESPONSES A. EMERGENCY RESPONSE. It is the policy of the Department that members respond Code 3 only when an emergency response appears reasonably necessary to prevent serious injury to persons, whether or not a criminal offense is involved. B. NON- EMERGENCY RESPONSE. The member shall respond directly to the assignment and observe all traffic laws and regulations. C. DETER