Policy Text
GO 306.1 Emergency Vehicle Operation and Vehicle Pursuits Page 1 of 14 Rev. 12/07/22
GENERAL ORDER
306.1 EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATION and VEHICLE PURSUITS
REVISION DATE: 12/07/2022
BY ORDER OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
SUNNY ISLES BEACH
POLICE DEPARTMENT ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: `10/29/22
PREVIOUS REVISIONS:
RESCINDS: All previously issued directives REFERENCE :14.05M,14.06M,14.07M,18.10M
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. PURPOSE .......................................................................................................................... 1
B. SCOPE ............................................................................................................................... 1
C. POLICY ............................................................................................................................. 1
D. DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................................. 2
E. RESPONSE TO CALLS FOR SERVICE ...................................................................... 4
F. EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLE OPERATION ............................................... 4
G. VEHICLE PURSUIT........................................................................................................ 5
H. USE OF FIREARMS DURING PURSUITS .................................................................. 8
I. AUTHORIZED POLICE VEHICLES ........................................................................... 8
J. TERMINATION OF PURSUIT ...................................................................................... 9
K. AERIAL ASSISTANCE ................................................................................................. 10
L. EVALUATION OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES ........................................................... 10
M. INTERJURISDICTIONAL AND INTRAJURISDICTIONAL PURSUITS ............ 10
N. SUSPECT APPREHENSION ........................................................................................ 11
O. COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES ............................................................. 11
P. SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................................................... 12
Q. FLEEING VEHICLE REPORTING AND REVIEW ................................................. 13
R. TRAFFIC LAW EXEMPTIONS .................................................................................. 14
A. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to establish restrictions on motor vehicle pursuits and to delineate the duties and
responsibilities of members involved in such pursuits.
B. SCOPE
This regulation is applicable to all sworn members.
C. POLICY
It is the policy of the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department that the operation of departmental vehicles in both
emergency response and pursuit mode be performed with due regard for the safety of all persons. It is also the policy
of the Department that vehicle operations are performed in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATION and VEHICLE PURSUITS
General Order 306.1
GO 306.1 Emergency Vehicle Operation and Vehicle Pursuits Page 2 of 14 Rev. 12/07/22
Members of the City of Sunny Isles Beach Police Department shall operate all vehicles in a safe and prudent manner
and to only pursue fleeing violent felony offenders. In the interest of public safety, it is the Department’s position
that the apprehension of traffic violators, misdemeanants, and non-violent felony offenders are of lesser importance
than the well-being of our officers and the general public. All pursuits, other than violent felony offenders, are
prohibited.
Additionally, a suspect’s behavior or actions, which did not exist prior to the pursuit, shall not be used as grounds
to justify a pursuit.
D. DEFINITIONS
Actively Engaged in Pursuit: The immediate following of a suspect vehicle in an attempt to apprehend the
occupant(s). Generally, when an Officer is actively engaged in a pursuit, the Officer will be able to see the suspect
vehicle.
Authorized Emergency Vehicle: A department vehicle equipped with operable emergency lights and siren.
Back Up Unit: A unit that trails the primary unit at a safe distance and which will be immediately available to
assume the pursuit or assist the primary unit in the event the fleeing vehicle is stopped.
Caravanning: The following or direct participation in the pursuit by police vehicles other than the primary or back-
up unit.
Emergency Equipment: properly functioning emergency lights, siren, hazard warning lights, spotlights, and/or public
address system.
Emergency Response/Mode: The operation of an authorized emergency vehicle with the vehicles emergency lighting
and warning systems activated by a sworn department member in response to an emergency situation. Emergency
situations as initially reported to the department include but are not limited to the following:
• Medical emergencies.
• Fires.
• Life threatening situations or an incident by its nature could become life threatening.
• Traffic accident with injuries or possible injuries.
• Forcible felony in progress.
• Emergency back-up requested for public safety personnel.
Fleeing Vehicle: A motor vehicle, as defined by FSS 316.003 (21), being operated by a person who willfully and/or
knowingly refuses to stop and uses high-speed, illegal and/or other evasive driving tactics in an effort to avoid
apprehension.
Forcible Felony: Treason; murder; manslaughter; sexual battery; carjacking; home invasion robbery; robbery;
burglary; arson; kidnapping; aggravated assault; aggravated battery; aggravated stalking; aircraft piracy; unlawful
throwing, placing or discharging of a destructive device or bomb; and any other felony which involves the use of or
threat of physical force or violence against any individual. Defined in accordance with FS 776.08.
Lethal (Deadly) Force: Any force that is likely to cause death or great bodily harm.
EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATION and VEHICLE PURSUITS
General Order 306.1
GO 306.1 Emergency Vehicle Operation and Vehicle Pursuits Page 3 of 14 Rev. 12/07/22
PIT: (Precision Immobilization Technique) The bump