Vehicle Pursuit & Pursuit Tactics Survey Results

Public Agency Training Council and the Legal & Liability Risk Management Institute periodically conduct surveys through the E-Newsletter for the purpose of establishing generally accepted practices in Law Enforcement.

In November and December of 2006 a survey was conducted that addressed vehicle Pursuit Policy and Tactics, with specific emphasis on Ramming and Precision Immobilization Technique (P.I.T.). Over 1000 surveys were taken from all accross the country.

Survey Results:

1. Does your agency have a written policy relating to vehicle pursuit?

Yes	980	95%
No	48	5%

2. On what basis may an officer pursue?

Officers in my agency have complete discretion while weighing need for arrest versus risk of pursuit	329	34%
Officers in my agency may pursue any time a suspect flees from an officer	94	10%
My agency has a policy that prohibits the use of vehicle pursuit	15	2%
My agency only allows pursuits for violent felonies	177	18%
My agency allows pursuits for violent felonies plus reckless (endangering) conduct which does not include pursuit conduct	151	16%
My agency allows pursuit for violent felonies plus reckless (endangering) conduct including conduct during pursuit	139	14%
gave "other" stipulations for response	68	7%

3. Ramming: (check all that apply)

My Agency allows ramming a vehicle during a pursuit	51	6%
(Where allowed) My Agency limits ramming to deadly force circumstances	478	61%
My agency considers a suspect’s continued flight as a serious danger to other motorists - i.e. suspect is outrageously driving toward a crowded location - and thereby is included as justification for the use of deadly force	101	13%
My agency requires supervisory authorization prior to ramming	108	39%

4. Precision Immobilization Technique - P.I.T. (check all that apply)

My agency allows the P.I.T. maneuver	161	26%
My agency limits the P.I.T. maneuver to deadly force circumstances	334	53%
My agency considers a suspect’s continued flight as a serious danger to other motorists - i.e. suspect is outrageously driving toward a crowded location - and thereby is included as justification for the use of deadly force.	125	20%
(For those who allocate the P.I.T. maneuver) My agency has a strict speed restriction on the P.I.T. maneuver	69	11%
(For those who have a speed restriction) My agency has a provision which lifts the speed restriction when deadly force is justified? [E.G.: P.I.T. may not be used at speeds in excess of 40 MPH unless deadly force is otherwise justified.]	73	12%

 

Ramming During Pursuit Viewed As Deadly Force

As a result of the survey, Jack Ryan, Co-Director of LLRMI released an article with the legal precedent for Ramming during vehicle pursuit.

View Article Here

Pursuit Decision-Making Checklist

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