Vehicle Pursuits

Members may engage in a vehicle pursuit to apprehend a feeling felon only when every other means of affecting the arrest or preventing the escape have been exhausted and:

The fleeing suspect does not pose an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury to the member or others.

Failure to immediately apprehend the person places a member or the public in the immediate danger of death or serious bodily injury.

The lives of innocent people will be endangered if the fleeing felon is pursued.

There is probable cause to believe the subject committed, or attempted to commit, a misdemeanor or felony crime.

When a fleeing subject has committed an offense for which a vehicle pursuit is not authorized, the member shall:

Contact the dispatcher and request that he or she broadcast a look out to all MPD channels to which the fleeing offender may be proceeding.

Attempt to obtain a description of the operator.

Provide a description of the vehicle and attempt to obtain the VIN number.

Conduct an investigation of the incident and obtain a search warrant so that the offender can be apprehended and prosecuted.

Members shall operate department vehicles as emergency vehicles when engaged in pursuits and:

Open the front drivers side window so that the driver can hear other units responding to the area and to avoid collision.

Not operate department vehicles at speeds where they cannot control the vehicle, thereby endangering lives.

When operating at the primary unit, use the yelp position on the electronic siren selector.

Only travel at a speed 10 miles above the posted speed limit.

Upon completion of a pursuit the watch commander shall submit the PD 845 (Vehilce Pursuit Report) to:

Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB)

Directly to the chief of police

The United States Attorney’s Office (USAO)

The commanding official of the element where the pursuit ended.