FOOT PURSUITS

SOP 1.85

SFC A. SONDEJ 12/2006 rev.

Foot Pursuit

March 8, 1997, Winter Haven, Florida: “The male allegedly fled into nearby woods, and the officer, who was wearing body armor, pursued him on foot. Backup officers arriving on the scene moments later heard gunshots and immediately began a search of the area.” They found the victim officer several yards away with a fatal gunshot wound to the face.

Foot Pursuit

July 20, 1997, Portland, Oregon: “Recognizing the individual as the suspect they were looking for, the officers both gave chase into the overgrown backyard of the residence where they became separated by a hedge. The victim officer was shot at close range with a .380- caliber semiautomatic handgun in the hand, leg, and fatally in the sternum, just above the collar of his protective vest.”

Foot Pursuit

FBI research has shown that a significant number of officers assaulted during foot pursuits had no plan of action other than arresting the suspect. While there are no statistic kept regarding injury and death to officers in foot pursuits, it is a significant risk activity.

Foot Pursuit

Key to surviving a foot pursuit and apprehending the actor is to have a plan. Standard Operating procedure S.1.85 provides a framework to engage in foot pursuits in a safe and tactical manner.

Foot Pursuit

Definitions

Contact/Cover

Describes the practice of having two or more officers working together during a foot pursuit. The officers work in unison via direct or indirect communication to coordinate their efforts, remain aware of the locations of officers and suspects, and keep abreast of the status of the pursuit.

Foot Pursuit:

A situation in which an officer, on foot, chases a suspect in an effort to detain or arrest that individual that he has reasonable suspicion to believe is about to commit, is committing or has committed a crime and who is resisting apprehension by fleeing from the officer.

Supervisor:

Member of the department assigned to a position requiring the exercise of immediate supervision over the activities of members and employees.

Suspect:

Includes any individual who a police officer reasonably believes is about to commit, is committing or has committed an offense or poses an immediate threat to the safety of the public, other officers, or themselves.

Foot Pursuit

Procedure

Factors to consider when initiating a foot pursuit:

Whether the suspect is armed The offense committed by the suspect Nature of area: residential, commercial, school zone, expressway, etc. Conditions of the structures: abandoned or condemned Environmental factors: weather or darkness Ability to apprehend the suspect at a later date Familiarity with area, ability to transmit location of fleeing suspect Radio frequency and coverage (dead spots) Availability of backup units to assist

Foot Pursuit Pursuing Officers

Responsibility

Pursuing Officers Responsibility

The decision to initiate or continue a foot pursuit requires weighing the need to apprehend the suspect against the degree of risk to which the officer and others are exposed as a result of the pursuit.

Pursuing Officers Responsibility

On Pursuing the officer must notify Police Communications of: – Car number – Location – Direction of flight – Description of suspect – If armed with a weapon – Reason for foot pursuit

Pursuing Officers Responsibility

The pursuing officer will coordinate with other officers to establish a perimeter in the area to contain the suspect. – In the event that a suspect is confined in an area,

consideration should be given to the use of specialized units such as Canine, ERT or Mutual Aid Helicopter.

Communications Responsibility

Police Communications will notify a supervisor of the pursuit circumstances and any other relevant information. All non emergency communications will be held and the officer in foot pursuit shall have priority on radio communications.

Officer Killed During a Foot Pursuit After responding to a domestic abuse call, the victim officer saw a man fitting the suspect's description run into a field. The officer exited his patrol vehicle and chased the man through some tall weeds. During the pursuit, the suspect turned and fired a .380-caliber semiautomatic handgun, striking the officer in the wrist, twice in his protective vest, and once just above the vest. The victim officer returned gunfire, striking the suspect twice in the torso. The pursuit continued until the suspect fatally wounded himself in the chest. The officer died later at a local hospital.

Foot Pursuit

Tactical Considerations

Tactical Considerations

If possible, officers should consider the feasibility of the following strategies or tactics prior to initiating foot pursuits: – Area containment – Surveillance – Obtaining additional officers – Contact and cover

Foot Pursuit

Termination of Pursuit

Officer shall terminate a foot pursuit:

If ordered by a supervisor. If the officer believes that the danger to the pursuing officers or the public outweighs the necessity for immediate apprehension of the suspect. If the officer loses his/her weapon. If communications are lost. Any circumstance where an officer loses sight of the suspect and proceeding will place the officer in a tactically disadvantageous situation.

Officers may terminate a foot pursuit:

If the suspect’s identity is known and he is not an immediate threat to the safety of the public or other officers, and can be apprehend at a later date.

Foot Pursuit

Post Termination Actions

Post termination actions

After termination of the foot pursuit, officers will notify Police Communications with the last know location of suspect or point of apprehension. Request any additional assistance or medical aid. Suspects shall be apprehended in a manner consistent with the department use of force directive.

Foot Pursuit

Supervisor’s Role

Supervisor’s Role The supervisor’s role is to monitor a foot pursuit and appropriately direct resources to safely apprehend the suspect. The supervisor will terminate a foot pursuit at any time if it is determined the danger to the pursuing officers or the public outweighs the necessity for immediate apprehension of the suspect.

Foot Pursuit

Training

Training

Foot Pursuit training shall be administered once per year.

Officer Injured During a Foot Pursuit While on vehicle patrol, the victim officer and his partner saw two individuals in an automobile. After determining that the pair matched the description of two suspects wanted for possessing a handgun, the officers stopped the vehicle. The passenger immediately fled on foot, and the victim officer chased him for several blocks. After the victim officer lost sight of the suspect, he began searching an area in front of a building. The suspect, hiding in nearby bushes, opened fire with a small-caliber handgun and wounded the officer in the head and legs, causing extensive injury. The assailant escaped from the scene but surrendered to authorities 2 days later. The victim officer survived the attack but could not resume his duties and retired from the department.

Tips for Surviving Foot Pursuits Safe Officers….

Always radio their dispatchers to advise of their location, the reason for pursuing the suspect, and the direction of the chase. Always ensure that suspects who flee from vehicles do not have accomplices in the car who may attack from behind. Always take their vehicle keys with them to avoid having suspects return to the scene and flee in police units. Always wait for backup if they believe that the suspect is armed.

Tips for Surviving Foot Pursuits Safe Officers….

Always try to follow the same general path as the suspects so that the suspects discover any hidden obstacles such as clotheslines, wires, cables, holes, and sprinkler heads first. Always remain cautious, in control, and alert for additional threats and other changes in the situation.

Foot Pursuits

Questions

Foot Pursuits Bibliography

FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin May 2000 Volume 69 Number 5