Police Pursuits: Safety vs.
Apprehension
Police Driving;
Safety Behind the Wheel
with Capt. Travis Yates
The dangers of police pursuits have been well
documented, yet every year the number of officers killed
in vehicle crashes continues to rise.
In 2003, more U.S. police officers were killed in
police pursuits than in any year in history. The recent
death of Florida Highway Patrol Trooper George "Andy"
Brown III – and two officers killed in separate crashes
over the weekend -- once again reminds law enforcement
of the inherent dangers of police pursuits.
Once an officer engages in a vehicle pursuit and
determines that they are meeting department policy and
their legal obligations by continuing, there are several
techniques that can be used to ensure safety and
success.
Following Distance:
The tendency in a vehicle pursuit is to follow the
suspect at close proximity. This is a dangerous practice
but enhanced due to the stress of the situation. The
recommended following distance is 4-6 seconds. This is
much higher than normal driving and a necessity. This
gives the officer ample time to react in case the
suspect attempts to use his car as a weapon or bait the
officer into a collision. This also helps with tunnel
vision. Tunnel Vision is bound to happen while engaged
in a pursuit but the additional distance will assist the
officer in recognizing more of their surroundings. To
apply the correct following distance, the officer should
note an object the suspect just passed and count the
number of seconds it takes for them to pass the object.
Distance can be adjusted based on the findings. This
practice should be done throughout a pursuit to ensure a
proper following distance.
Tactical Intervention:
In recent years there has been an influx of emphasis
on utilizing tactical maneuvers to end police pursuits.
With the proper training and situation, tactical vehicle
interventions can be very effective. Although these
maneuvers can end a police pursuit, they can also bring
an additional element of danger if not conducted
properly, or if the suspect anticipates the action and
brakes or maneuvers widely.
The situation and environment must be perfect. The
presence of curbs, trees or fixed structures can lead to
severe injury or death. Officers must ensure that their
training is current and sufficient to justify a
potentially dangerous precision maneuver.
To conduct a Tactical Vehicle Intervention, the
officer must drive within a close proximity of the
suspect. This violates the 4-6 second following distance
rule, thus making the use of an intervention potentially
dangerous. By getting close to the suspect, it gives
them the opportunity to assault or collide with the
officer. The suspect may also expect the vehicle
maneuver, which places the officer at a disadvantage.
Unfortunately, the television coverage on these tactical
maneuvers can educate criminals as well as the public.
The use of offensive maneuvers to end police pursuits
are necessary in certain situations. With the proper
training and situation, they are an invaluable tool in
combating the dangers of pursuits.
Emergency Equipment:
The use of lights and siren during a pursuit could
give an officer a false sense of security. An officer
must assume that citizens do not see or hear them. At
speeds over 50 mph, a citizen will not hear the siren
until the officer has past them. The phenomenon of
over-driving a siren will occur in most pursuits.
Daylight hours provide another problem. Emergency
Lights are not seen as well during the day. The officer
should be aware of these issues and take extreme
precautions when engaged in a pursuit around the public.
Emotions:
The participation in a police pursuit is highly
dangerous. The influence of increased adrenaline and the
potential for tunnel vision may affect emotions and
decision making. The ability to make rational decisions
will be affected by emotions. The officer must realize
this and take extra precautions to protect themselves
while involved in a vehicle pursuit. Some officers
report that concentrating on deep breaths versus rapids
breaths can assist them in controlling their emotions.
Attitude:
The attitude an officer possesses has more to do with
the safety of a pursuit than driving ability. The right
attitude equals the correct decisions. The correct
decisions equal success.
Conclusion:
Apprehension is not the primary goal in a police vehicle
pursuit. The safety of the officer and public are the
most important aspects. This may relate to terminating a
pursuit or slowing down to a manageable speed. One thing
is certain; the risks are high for all involved. By
utilizing defensive techniques, controlling emotions,
and having the right attitude, the officer can conduct
this police function in the safest possible manner. |
