Policy Text
San Francisco Police Department 5.25
GENERAL ORDER Rev. 03/ 06/24
Eff. 05/08/24
Page 1 of 4
Foot Pursuits
5.25.01 PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to provide officers with guidance regarding when to initiate, continue, or end foot pursuits.
5.25.02 POLICY
It is the policy of this Department that officers may engage persons in a foot pursuit if factors are
present that warrant the apprehension of the person attempting to flee. Foot pursuits are one of
the most dangerous and unpredictable situations for officers. All foot pursuits are high risk and require good judgment, sound tactics, and heightened safety awareness. The priority for officers engaging in a f oot pursuit is safety. This policy does not apply to bicycle pursuits.
5.25. 03 DEFINITIONS
Foot Pursuit: An incident where an officer chases, on foot, a person who is
evading detention or arrest.
Apprehension Mode: The pursuit of person (s) wherein the intent of the pursuing
officer(s) is to detain or take the person(s) into custody.
Containment Mode: The isolation of a person within a confined/controlled area, large
or small, with the intent of preventing the person ’s escape.
5.25.04 PROCEDURES
A. Decision to Pursue
Initiating or continuing a foot pursuit is a decision that an officer must make quickly under
unpredictable and dynamic circumstances. An officer may initiate a foot pursuit when they
reasonably believe the person has committed an act that would justify a detention , custody, or
arrest (See G eneral Order 5.03, Investigative Detentions ).
DGO 5.25
Rev. 03/06/24
Eff. 05/ 08/24
Page 2 of 4
Officers initiating a foot pursuit or implementing containment procedures , shall act reasonably
and shall continually assess and evaluate whether the need for apprehension justifies the safety
risk based upon the evolving circumstances of the pursuit. Officers shall weigh the necessity of
immediate apprehension (including, but not limited to, the severity of the crime) against the
danger to the pursuing officer(s), the fleeing person and the public.
When deciding to engage , not to engage , or discontinue a foot pursuit, the officer’s decision must
be evaluated based on the facts and totality of the circumstances known to the officer at the time the decision was made rather than evaluated using the benefit of hindsight. B. Safety Concerns
The following are examples of officer safety issues that should be considered regarding initiating
or continuing a foot pursuit :
1. The potential for violence to the officer(s) or bystanders.
2. The officer is acting alone.
3. The person is known or believed to be armed with a weapon.
4. The officer becomes unsure of the person’s location or direction of travel.
5. Radio contact is lost.
6. The officer loses possession of essential equipment.
7. The person enters a building, structure, confined space, or otherwise isolated area.
8. The officer becomes aware of circumstances that increases the risk to officers or the
public (i.e., baiting to ambush).
9. An officer pursuing multiple people does not reasonably believe they would be able to
control the m should a confrontation occur.
10. When t wo or more officers involved in the pursuit become separated, lose visual contact
with one another, or obstacles separate them to the degree they cannot immediately assist each other , officers should consider transitioning to containment mode.
11. The need to secure Department vehicles left unlocked or running.
12. The officer’s physical capability to safely control the suspect once apprehended (e.g., fatigue, injury, stature.)
C. Apprehension Mode versus Containment Mode
Depending on the circumstances and the rapidly changing nature of any given foot pursuit, officers must quickly assess and then decide a reasonable course of action. This may include
transitioning from apprehension mode to containment mode or vice versa.
DGO 5.25
Rev. 03/06/24
Eff. 05/ 08/24
Page 3 of 4
For example, when officers lose sight of a person, the danger increases significantly, and the
threat of ambush becomes higher. When this occurs, officers should consider transitioning from “pursuit to apprehend” to “ pursuit to contain.”
In the transition to containment mode , officers shall do the below tasks when feasible :
• Use protective cover or a position of advantage near where the person was last seen;
• Broadcast the person’s description and last direction of travel (or current location);
• Establish a perimeter;
• Evaluate and request additional resources , if necessary;
• Coordinate securing evidence.
D. Responsibilities of the Officer Initiating the Pursuit
Detaining a person for suspected criminal activity is inherently dangerous for police officers due
to the unpredictable response of the person. Before attempting to stop a person, an officer can
gain a significant tactical advantage by broadcasting their information to Dispatch before the
suspect knows of the officer’s intentions. Officer(s) shall coordinate and plan their response, if
feasible:
Officers initiating a foot pursuit sh all broadcast the following information when feasible :
• Code 33 (Emergency – clear channel);
• Unit identifier;
• Location and direction of travel;
• Reason for the foot pursuit;
• Number and description of suspect s; and
• Whether the person is known or believed to be armed.
Early information and communication by officers are essential so that adequate resources can be effectively deployed. Unless relieved by another officer or a supervisor, the initiating officer shall be responsible for requesting resources and coordinating the progress of