Vehicle - Pursuit Mode

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to establish standardized operational guidelines for the use of department-authorized performance modes within the Los Santos Police Department (LSPD).

Performance modes are used to regulate which officers may operate certain performances of patrol vehicles during active enforcement and pursuit operations. This system ensures that vehicle deployment remains controlled, fair, safe, and appropriate to the officer’s certification level, patrol assignment, and training status.


PERFORMANCE MODE CLASSIFICATIONS

The LSPD recognizes the following pursuit mode classifications:

  • Standard (standard patrol mode)

  • Standard Turbo

  • Performance

  • Performance Turbo

  • Ultra (Interceptor Only)

  • Ultra Turbo (Interceptor Only)

Each mode reflects the level of vehicle performance an officer is authorized to operate during patrol and pursuit conditions.


ACTIVE INCIDENT RESPONSE EXCEPTION

Purpose

In order to allow officers to respond efficiently to active, high-priority incidents, officers may temporarily increase their authorized performance mode while en route to an active call for the sole purpose of reaching the scene in a timely and controlled manner.

This exception is intended to support emergency response, not to bypass normal performance mode restrictions once the officer becomes actively involved in the incident or pursuit itself.


TEMPORARY UPGRADE AUTHORIZATION

When responding to an active incident, officers may temporarily increase their performance mode up to the maximum available for response purposes, provided that:

  • The call is an active, in-progress emergency

  • The officer is responding in an official law enforcement capacity

  • The vehicle is being used strictly for rapid response

  • The officer maintains safe and professional vehicle operation at all times

This temporary authorization applies only while en route to the active scene and must not be used to catch up to pursuits even if an officer is attaching during the pursuit.


MANDATORY DOWNGRADE UPON ARRIVAL

Once an officer:

  • Arrives on scene

They must immediately downgrade their performance mode to match the fleeing vehicle’s current performance mode.


PROHIBITED USE

The Active Incident Response Exception shall not be used to:

  • Keep an unauthorized performance mode in an active pursuit

  • Justify remaining in Ultra, Ultra Turbo, or other advanced performance modes after attaching

  • Continue operating above the proper performance mode once the response phase has ended

Any misuse of this exception may result in disciplinary action.


SUPERVISOR ENFORCEMENT

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that officers responding to active incidents comply with this downgrade requirement.

Supervisors may order any officer to:

  • Downgrade their performance mode

  • Detach from the pursuit

  • Swap vehicles if necessary

Failure to comply with a downgrade order may result in disciplinary action.


OPERATIONAL STANDARD

This exception exists to allow officers to arrive at active scenes efficiently and allows proper performance balance once the actual pursuit or incident engagement begins.

Last updated