iii-17-PursuitofAVehicleOrBoat

1 (08/16/2024 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER Subject: PURSUIT OF A VEHICLE OR BOAT Index as: Boat Pursuit Physical Intervention Pursuit Vehicle Tracking System Boxing In PIT Ramming Caravanning Police Boat Pursuit Roadblock Conducting the Pursuit Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) Secondary Unit/Officer Contact Primary Unit/Officer Terminating the Pursuit Emergency Mode Pursuit Use of Force Emergency Vehicle Pursuit of a Vehicle or Boat Use of Force Reporting Field Supervisor Pursuit Reporting Requirements Vehicle Operation – Pursuit Initiating the Pursuit Pursuit Review Vehicle Stop Paralleling Pursuits by Other Agencies Violent Felony Accreditation Standards: 41.1.3, 41.2.2 , 41.2.3 , and CFA 14.05 Cross Reference: G.O. II -42, Use of Force G.O. III -12, Police Vehicle Operation §§ 316.072, 316.126, 776.08, 843.18 and 901.25, F lorida Statutes Replaces: G.O. III -17, Pursuit of a Vehicle or Boat (December 13, 2019 ) This Order consists of the following sections: I. Policy II. Definitions III. Initiating the Pursuit IV. Terminating the Pursuit V. Conducting the Pursuit VI. Vehicular Intervention VII. Suspect Apprehension VIII. Pursuits by Other Agencies IX. Responsibilities of Personnel During a Pursuit X. Reporting Req uirements XI. Pursuit Review XII. Training I. POLICY A. Pursuits are one of the m ost dangerous activities that a law enforcement officer can engage in. Pursuits present a danger to the lives of the public, as well as to the police officers and suspects involved in the pursuit. DATE OF ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER April 2016 Immediately III-17 Distribution: All Employees General Order III -17 2 (08/16/2024 ) B. It is the policy of this Department to protect the lives of all persons and not to engage in vehicular pursuits , unless the action is necessary to apprehend a violent fe lon and, then, only when the need to apprehend clearly outweighs the risks to the public, officers , and suspect may be exposed to during the pursuit. Therefore, the apprehension of the suspect will not be the sole deciding factor in determining whether to engage in the pursuit of a fleeing felony offender. C. At no time will this order or any provision of the Florida Statutes relieve the driver of any emergency vehicle from "the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provi sions protect the driver from the consequences of his or her reckless dis regard for the safety of others " (§ 316.072, F lorida Statutes ). II. DEFINITIONS A. Boxing in – The surrounding of a vehicle with emergency vehicles which are then slowed to a stop . B. Caravanning – During the course of a pursuit, the following or direct participation in the pursuit by unauthorized emergency vehicles. C. Contact – The deliberate act o f striking a violator’s moving vehicle with a police vehicle for the purpose of disabling or forcing the vio lator’s vehicle off the roadway. D. Emergency Mode – The operation of an emergency vehicle, utilizing warning lights and audible warning equipment to alert others of the approach of an emergency vehicle. 1. The use of headlights during daylight hours, spotlights, and the air horn should be considered if they will help ensure safe movement of the emergency vehicle. 2. Hazard warning lights [4 -way flashers] will not be used as their use interferes with the normal display of the brake and turn signals. E. Emergency Vehicle – A vehicle or boat owned, leased or rented by the City of St. Petersburg which is either unmarked or conspicuously marked , as a police vehicle and is equipped with warning lights and audible warning equipment. A vehicle not equipped with visual/audible warning equipment is not considered an emergency vehicle. F. Field Supervisor – A sergeant or lieutenant as used throughout this O rder. G. Paralleling – A tactic during the course of a pursuit where emergency vehicles follow the course of the pursuit in an emergency mode, on streets parallel to the actual pursuit. H. Vehicular Intervention – The intentional act of forcing a moving vehicle or vessel to stop with or without intent to strike the vehicle. Exa mples of vehicular intervention i nclude , but are not limited to, use of ramming, a roadblock , boxing in, and the PIT maneuver . Vehicular intervention is considered deadly force . I. Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) – A pursuit tactic by which a pursuing car uses the inertia and weight of the police vehicle to contact a fleeing vehicle in a controlled manner, enabling the violator vehicle to be stopped. The PIT maneuver is a form of vehicular intervention. J. Primary Unit/Officer – An emergency vehicle which initiates a pursuit, or any other eme rgency vehicle which assumes control of the pursuit as the lead vehicle and is the first police vehicle behind the fleeing suspect. K. Pursuit – An active attempt by an