Foot Pursuit - Detailed

If a foot pursuit happens during an active there are a few rules we have to follow during the chase and the apprehension of the suspect(s).

Suspects must be tackled to the ground or stood still when attempting cuffs. Cuffs can be attempted from the first tackle. Officers discretion can be used on when to cuff if you want to prolong the foot chase.

- It is VERY important that all officers follow this order of events to prevent wrongful treatment during foot pursuits and keep everyone in PD on the same page.

- Call out on radio that suspect(s) are on foot and which officer is chasing which suspect (Identify the suspect based on clothing, mask or similar identifiable features)

- Call out where you are currently chasing the suspect and keep comms during the entire foot pursuit.

- If you are chasing one suspect and have a secondary unit with you, the secondary unit is expected to stay mobile in a vehicle.

- If you have multiple backup units (Secondary, tertiary, parallel units) Primary and Secondary chases the suspect while tertiary stays mobile to help with parallel as backup.

- In foot pursuits with primary and secondary units chasing on foot, primary is to draw less-lethal and secondary draws lethal for coverage in case the suspect tries to injure the primary unit.

- In a foot pursuit with no backup nearby you are to equip your lethal firearm, this to ensure you have the chance to react if the suspect pulls a weapon/firearm.

- Do not at any time point your firearm at the suspect unless the suspect is reaching for a weapon and turns around to face you.

- Lethal have to be equipped during the entire foot chase as long as you are solo. Tackle-> Cuff attempts until back-up arrives on scene.

-Do not swap over to less-lethal (Taser) until a back-up unit have arrived and is actively helping in the foot chase (and they have lethal drawn for cover).

- Mobile units should attempt to hinder the suspect by blocking the road in front of them with their vehicle, be cautious not to hit the suspect with your vehicle.

- If there are multiple suspects on foot; primary and secondary chases one each (if you have tertiary units and parallel units, feel free to get help from tertiary on chasing down one of the suspects while parallel helps with the other)

- In the unlikely (but possible) event that there are more than two suspects on foot; Prioritize going for the person that has the goods on their body (Don’t spread too thin as safety is key).

- Once a suspect is apprehended make sure to call for a unit to pick you up, if area is safe make sure to read the them their rights and search them for illegal items.

- If area is deemed unsafe; Bring your suspect to a point deemed easier to overlook and secure it until backup arrives.

- If the suspect is carrying a firearm; Warn them to put it away.

If the suspect has a weapon in hand and does not comply to holster, give them a second warning and tell them that they might get shot if they do not put the weapon away. If a 3rd verbal warning to holster is ignored, lethal force should be used to put down the suspect.

-If the suspect points a weapon at officers, officers are allowed to respond with lethal force (Backed by case law “Tennessee v. garner)

- If a suspect is taken out by the use of deadly force; Call on radio that suspect is down and ask for backup-> Secure the scene until backup arrives (Cuff suspect and search, gun drawn for officers' safety) -> When backup arrives call for EMS-> Drive back to St Fiacre while escorting EMS-> When suspect is back on their feet, put them in a PD vehicle and get an escort back to PD where the suspect is booked and processed.

- If the suspect gets into a decamp vehicle, shooting tires is authorised (note that this is last resort if you have no mobile units nearby, if a mobile unit is nearby and ready to chase tires are not to be taken out).

- If the suspect gets on a motorbike or pushbike you are allowed to tackle or tase them off as long as the bike is at a standstill or in the process of a rolling start.