Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
1 03/08/2017 03/08/201 7 10/01/2017
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
315 – Pursuit Management System 1 315 PURSUIT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
315.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to outline the use and operation of the StarChase Pursuit Management
System. The Tustin Police Department may provide its employees with this device. The StarChase
Pursuit Management System is intended to assist and compliment employees in the performance of their
duties by providing a safer alternative means to vehicle pursuits and locating potential suspect(s).
The StarChase Pursuit Management System allows sworn pol ice officers to remotely affix a GPS
tracking device to a vehicle using an air pressure system to discharge the tracker from the front of the
StarChase equipped patrol car to the vehicle in front of it. Once the tracking device (or, "tag") is affixed,
its location can be tracked using a computer with an internet connection.
This General Order is intended to provide direction for sworn police officers related to the operation of
the StarChase Pursuit Management System. All departmental pursuit policy and pr ocedures not
specifically addressed by this General Order remain in effect.
315.2 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This policy pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 1.2.4, 43.1.4, 61.1.5, 61.1.6, 61.1.7, 61.1.8
315.3 OPERATION OF THE STARCHASE PURSUIT MAN AGEMENT SYSTEM
a) StarChase equipment in the patrol vehicle shall only be operated by officers who have been
trained in its use. StarChase equipped vehicles should not be assigned to officers who are not
trained on its use unless required by exigent circumsta nces.
b) Except as specified below, officers shall use their own judgment regarding affixing a StarChase
tag upon a vehicle and do not need prior approval from a supervisor.
c) While supervisors may direct or approve the deployment of a StarChase equipped patrol unit in a
pursuit and/or the discharge of a tag, safety decisions related to passing other involved vehicles
and the actual discharge of the device rest solely upon the operating officer whose decisions
should take into account the guidelines contained in this and all department policies regarding
pursuits. The safety of officers, uninvolved persons and persons inside the pursued vehicle shall
be considered prior to affixing a StarChase tag on a vehicle. The following decisions are
specifically included:
1) Whether the officer can safely maneuver close enough to the suspect vehicle to
come within targeting range;
2) Whether the officer can safely pass any other vehicle involved in the pursuit;
3) Whether any circumstance would indicate the device would not work (i .e., weather
conditions, suspect vehicle weaving, etc.).
315.4 STARCHASE EQUIPPED PATROL UNITS RESPONSIBILITIES
a) Once approved by a supervisor, sworn police officers are authorized to respond to join a pursuit
for potential use of the device.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
1 03/08/2017 03/08/201 7 10/01/2017
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
315 – Pursuit Management System 2 b) Once a StarC hase equipped vehicle joins a pursuit, it becomes an authorized unit as it relates to
the number of authorized pursuing vehicles.
c) StarChase equipped vehicles may pass other pursuing vehicles only when deemed safe and only
with specific permission from the unit to be passed.
315.5 OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES
a) Officers shall deploy StarChase tags in accordance with training.
b) Once the StarChase tag has been successfully deployed, pursuing vehicles should normally drop
back significantly from the suspect vehic le and deactivate all emergency equipment.
c) Officers should maintain constant communication with Dispatch/StarChase for the purpose of
monitoring for speed, direction of travel and location updates of the suspect vehicle.
d) The officer deploying the StarChase device is generally responsible for coordinating the response
to the tagged vehicle and termination point of the vehicle. Officer(s) following a tagged vehicle
shall respond code -1 and follow all traffic laws unless exigent circumstances exist or as
autho rized by a supervisor.
e) Officers involved shall make every effort to capture the suspect as soon as possible under the
fresh pursuit doctrine. Otherwise, a search warrant would be required to follow the suspect
utilizing GPS technology.
315.6 SUPERVISOR Y CONTROL AND RESPONSIBILITY
It is the policy of this department that available supervisory and management control be exercised in the
use of the StarChase Pursuit Management System technology.
The field supervisor of the officer initiating the use of S tarChase equipment, or if unavailable, the nearest
field supervisor will be responsible for the following:
a) Upon becoming aware of a pursuit or potential pursuit, immediately ascertain all reasonable
available information to assess the situation and risk f actors associated with the pursuit or
potential pursuit and determine if it calls for the use of the StarChase tag to mitigate the pursuit.
b) Determine if there is an available StarChase equipped vehicle and trained officer operating this
vehicle before dep loying it.
c) Engage in the activity related to the use of the StarChase tag and tracking of suspect vehicle.
d) Exercise management and control of the use of StarChase equipment even if not directly