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On This Page:7-401 NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION 7-403 VEHICLES - EMERGENCY RESPONSE (10/12/01) 7-404 PURSUIT POLICY (11/20/01) 7-405 INITIATING OR CONTINUING A PURSUIT (11/20/01) 7-406 VEHICULAR PURSUIT PROCEDURES 7-406.01 ROLE OF OFFICERS IN THE PRIMARY PURSUIT VEHICLE 7-406.02 ROLE OF OFFICERS IN THE SECONDARY PURSUIT VEHICLES 7-406.03 ROLE OF DISPATCHERS (7/26/2003) 7-406.04 ROLE OF THE PURSUIT SUPERVISOR 7-406.05 AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE 7-407 TACTICAL OPTIONS AND PROCEDURES 7-407.04 TIRE DEFLATING DEVICES 7-407.05 HOSTAGE-INVOLVED VEHICULAR PURSUIT 7-408.01 PURSUIT-RELATED ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION (04/01/05) 7-409 VEHICLE PURSUITS INTO MINNEAPOLIS BY OTHER JURISDICTIONS 7-410 VEHICLE PURSUITS INTO OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY MPD SQUADS (11/20/01) 7-412 SEIZURE OF PURSUIT VEHICLE (10/26/2000) (12/31/2001) 7-413 REVIEW OF PURSUITS (10/26/2000) 7-414 EMERGENCY ESCORTS OR TRANSPORTATION BY POLICE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS (GPS) IN SQUADS (06/19/07) |
7-401 NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION (A-D) Under normal conditions, personnel will operate police vehicles in the same manner as required for the public. Violations of motor vehicle laws when not authorized, or careless and abusive use of police vehicular equipment may result in disciplinary action. (12/14/07)
The standards that have been adopted are: (12/31/91)
(previously 7-404) 7-402 EMERGENCY DRIVING AND VEHICULAR PURSUIT DEFINITIONS AIR SUPPORT - For the purpose of this policy, it shall mean a Minnesota State Patrol Helicopter. (See Volume 7, section on Minnesota State Patrol Helicopter) EMERGENCY DRIVING - Emergency driving occurs whenever an officer intentionally drives in excess of the speed limit or in violation of any traffic control device. Emergency driving is authorized only when reasonably necessary in the performance of official duties. (12/14/07) GREAT BODILY HARM - Bodily injury, which creates a high probability of death, or which causes serious permanent disfiguration, or which causes a permanent or protracted loss or impairment of any bodily member or organ or other serious bodily harm. IDENTIFICATION - The officer can establish the identification of the offender so that an apprehension can be made at another time. OFFENDER - The operator of a vehicle being pursued who has been signaled to stop. PARALLEL THE PURSUIT ROUTE - To operate a police vehicle in a manner that indicates pursuit participation by traveling in the same direction as the pursuit route on an adjacent or parallel roadway. POLICE VEHICLES: FULLY-MARKED SQUAD CAR - Any vehicle used by the MPD that has clearly identifying police markings, emergency lights visible from front, sides and rear, siren, and a manufacturer's rating to make it suitable for pursuits. Currently, the Ford Crown Victoria is the only vehicle in the MPD Fleet with such a rating. (05/03/02) (12/14/07) LOW PROFILE SQUAD CAR - Any vehicle used by the MPD that has a permanent or temporary MPD door marking, emergency lights visible from front, sides and rear, siren, and a manufacturer's rating to make it suitable for pursuits. (12/14/07) UNMARKED SQUAD CAR - Any vehicle used by the MPD not clearly identified with a shield, logo or department name that has emergency lights visible from the front, sides and rear, and a manufacturer’s rating to make it suitable for pursuits. (12/14/07) MOTORYCYCLE - A fully-marked motorcycle operated by a qualified motor officer. (12/14/07) OTHER MPD VEHICLES can be used in emergency response if properly equipped with emergency lights and siren. (12/14/07) PRIMARY SQUAD - The initial squad car in a vehicular pursuit. (12/14/07) PURSUIT SUPERVISOR - The immediate supervisor of the pursuing officer, the precinct supervisor where the pursuit began, an adjacent precinct supervisor, or the Watch Commander. ROADBLOCK - Placing a marked squad, either moving or stationary, in the roadway to narrow or block the escape route of the vehicle being pursued. SECONDARY SQUADS - Police squad cars that provide direct support to the primary squad and follow the primary squad at a safe distance. When secondary marked squads engage in the pursuit, the officers will advise the dispatcher of their involvement. Vehicle pursuits will be limited to the primary marked squad and no more than two secondary marked squads unless otherwise authorized by the pursuit supervisor. (12/14/07) TERMINATE - A pursuit is considered to be terminated when the officer discontinues the use of all emergency equipment and slows the marked squad car to the posted speed limit and turns off the pursuit route at the next available intersection. VEHICLE CONTACT - The intentional striking by a police vehicle of a vehicle being pursued. VEHICULAR PURSUIT - A vehicular pursuit occurs whenever an officer pursues a driver of a vehicle who has been given a signal to stop by the activation of red lights and siren, and the suspect or violator fails to comply and attempts to elude the officer by taking evasive actions. 7-403 VEHICLES - EMERGENCY RESPONSE (10/12/01) (B-D) Only police vehicles with lights and sirens are authorized for emergency response. All MPD officers shall use red lights and sirens in a continuous manner for any emergency driving. Officers responding to a Code 3 emergency shall exercise caution and due consideration for the safety of the public. Although Minn. Stat. §169.03 and 169.17 exempts officers from traffic statutes, the use of the red lights and siren does not exempt officers from the need for caution nor does it exempt them from criminal or civil liability. Officers driving low profile, unmarked, motorcycles, or other MPD vehicles should be particularly aware of the less visible nature of the emergency equipment in/on the vehicle and should use extra caution. (12/14/07) Officers are advised that circumventing light rail intersection crossing arms is a very dangerous practice. Officers going around the light rail crossing arms when they are down causes the light rail train operator to emergency brake the light rail car. When the light rail car is emergency braked, it causes passengers to be ejected from their seats and thrown to the floor, which could cause serious injury or death. Due to these risks, officers are prohibited from going around the light rail crossing arms when they are down at an intersection. (02/23/05) 7-404 PURSUIT POLICY (11/20/01) (A-D) The MPD is committed to prevent crime, maintain order and protect the public from unreasonable danger wherever possible. Intrinsic to the nature of policing is the apprehension of criminals and the enforcement of law at every level. In order to enforce the laws of the city and state, officers are often called upon to pursue suspects who choose not to obey an officer’s lawful command to submit to arrest and flee, either on foot or in a conveyance. 7-405 INITIATING OR CONTINUING A PURSUIT (11/20/01) (B-D) Officers involved in a vehicular pursuit shall exercise caution and due consideration for the safety of the public. Fully marked, low profile and unmarked squads can initiate a pursuit. Low profile and unmarked squads shall discontinue their involvement once a fully marked squad is involved. Motorcycles and other police vehicles shall not be used in pursuits. Officers shall use red lights and siren in a continuous manner for any emergency driving or vehicular pursuit. The use of red light and siren does not exempt officers from the need for caution. (12/14/07)
Whenever any non-MPD employees are in a police vehicle, officers may only initiate a pursuit under the following conditions: (05/03/02) (12/14/07)
However, the officers must terminate their participation in the pursuit upon the involvement of a squad that is able to take over as the primary pursuit vehicle. 7-406 VEHICULAR PURSUIT PROCEDURES (A-D) All department employees involved in a vehicular pursuit shall follow the procedures listed in this section. 7-406.01 ROLE OF OFFICERS IN THE PRIMARY PURSUIT VEHICLE Officers in the primary pursuit marked squad shall: 1. Activate red lights and siren. 2. Turn up the radio and roll up the windows. 3. Notify dispatcher by radio of the location, speed, direction of travel, and reason for the pursuit. (10/26/2000) (11/20//01) 4. Identify the vehicle and its occupants as completely as possible. 5. Call out the location and direction of the pursued vehicle as frequently as possible. 6. If an accident occurs with the possibility of injury the primary vehicle shall designate a secondary pursuit vehicle to stop and check for injuries and render medical assistance. Primary officers must receive acknowledgement from a secondary vehicle. If an acknowledgement is not received or there are no secondary vehicles assisting in the pursuit, the primary vehicle must immediately terminate and check for injuries. All acknowledgements shall be made via radio. (12/14/07) 6. Notify or acknowledge via radio whenever the pursuit has been terminated. 7. Complete an offense/incident report entitled "FLEE" and all other necessary reports. 8. Whenever possible, officers in the primary pursuit vehicle will not physically remove the offender or passengers from the vehicle, but should wait for the officers in the secondary pursuit vehicle to arrive and remove the offender or passengers. 9. Primary pursuit officers will not transport the arrested suspect unless authorized by the pursuit supervisor. (11/20/01) Officers shall terminate a pursuit if they believe the risk created for the officers and the general public outweighs the need and desirability for apprehension. 7-406.02 ROLE OF OFFICERS IN THE SECONDARY PURSUIT VEHICLES Officers in the secondary pursuit vehicles shall: 1. Activate red lights and siren. 2. Turn up the radio and roll up the windows. 3. Notify the dispatcher by radio of their involvement in the pursuit. (11/20/01) 5. Maintain a safe distance from the initiating squad, but remain close enough to provide back-up assistance when needed. At no time shall the secondary squad pass the primary squad unless requested by the primary squad. Officers should be alert to the fact that citizens will see the primary squad proceed, and may assume that it is the only emergency vehicle in the area and may be unaware or inattentive to the second emergency vehicle, especially if it is far behind the pursuing vehicle. (11/20/01) 6. Be prepared to take over as the primary vehicle if the existing primary squad becomes disabled or is unable to continue the pursuit. 7. Give the location and status of the pursuit when the pursued vehicle is stopped if the primary squad has not done so. 8. Immediately acknowledge directions, via radio, given by the primary vehicle regarding accidents. (12/14/07) 9. Notify or acknowledge via radio whenever the pursuit has been terminated. 10. Remove offenders and passengers from vehicle when pursuit results in an apprehension, then transport. (11/20/01) 11. Make a statement in CAPRS regarding their involvement in the pursuit. Officers in the secondary pursuit vehicles shall discontinue their involvement in the pursuit if they believe the risk created for the officers and the general public outweighs the need and desirability for apprehension. 7-406.03 ROLE OF DISPATCHERS (7/26/2003) Dispatchers involved in a police pursuit shall: 1. Repeat the initial information and the speed and direction of travel of the vehicular pursuit if the squad calling the pursuit is difficult to understand. 2. Keep the radio channel being used for the pursuit clear of unnecessary traffic. 3. Broadcast the pursuit information on channels used by adjacent precincts and again when the pursuits have entered adjacent precincts. However, the pursuit will remain on the channel which initiated the pursuit. Dispatchers will advise squads responding to assist from other precincts to notify their dispatcher and switch to the pursuit channel. 4. Designate a pursuit supervisor if one has not immediately acknowledged the responsibility. 5. Patch radio communication whenever a pursuit enters another jurisdiction. 6. Respond to directions from the pursuit supervisor or from any of the following if they have taken over the pursuit responsibility: (12/14/07)
7. Continue monitoring the pursuit until it has been terminated. 8. Transmit a "tone" signal when the pursuit is terminated. 9. Complete MECC Supplementary Police Pursuit Reporting Form (MP-3806) and forward it to Accident Investigation personnel in the Traffic Unit. (10/26/2000). 7-406.04 ROLE OF THE PURSUIT SUPERVISOR The pursuit supervisor shall: 1. Acknowledge responsibility of the pursuit over the radio. (12/14/07) 2. Monitor the pursuit. 3. Request air support when deemed necessary. 4. Exercise their authority and responsibility to decide whether to commit additional squads or to terminate the pursuit if they believe that the risk to the general public and officers outweighs the necessity to immediately arrest the suspect, utilizing the listed guidelines. 5. Respond as soon as possible to the scene when the pursuit is terminated with the apprehension of a suspect or at the scene of a collision. If the pursuit is called off, the pursuit supervisor does not have to respond to the scene. (12/14/07) 6. Wherever practical, supervisors shall not allow the offender or passengers to be removed from the vehicle by the primary pursuit officers. The arrested suspect(s) shall not be transported by the primary pursuit vehicle unless specifically authorized by the pursuit supervisor. (11/20/01) (12/14/07) 7. Make a statement in CAPRS regarding their involvement in the pursuit. 8. Immediately review the pursuit for compliance with department polices and procedures. A cassette recording of the pursuit may be obtained from MECC by the pursuit supervisor. The tape may be requested at any time following a pursuit. MECC will notify the requester when the tape is ready for pickup. This cassette tape, if obtained, shall be property inventoried under the CCN of the "FLEE" report. (11/20/01) 9. Write a pursuit summary memo including all of the following information: (12/14/07)
10. Forward a copy of the pursuit summary memo to the Commander and Bureau Head of the involved precinct. For pursuits that travel through multiple precincts or involve squads from multiple precincts, the memo shall be forwarded to the Commander of each involved precinct. (12/14/07) 11. The Bureau Head in receipt of the pursuit summary memo shall forward a copy to the Commander of the Traffic Unit to aid in the completion of reports as required per Minn. Stat. §626.5532. (12/14/07) 7-406.05 AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE In addition to the responsibilities and authorities given to the officers listed above, the following individuals have the authority to terminate or take control of a pursuit and will make a statement in CAPRS regarding their involvement in the pursuit: (11/20/01) (12/14/07)
7-407 TACTICAL OPTIONS AND PROCEDURES (C-D) When engaged in a vehicular pursuit, the tactical options listed in the following sub-sections should be considered. Once contact is made with air support and air support has the suspect vehicle in sight, the primary squad may reduce the level of pursuit to that of a secondary squad. Roadblocks may be used only when deadly force is justified. (Section 5-303). Procedures for setting up roadblocks are as follows: 1. The pursuit supervisor’s approval shall be obtained to set up a roadblock. The pursuit supervisor may cancel a roadblock at any time. (11/20/01) 2. Only marked squads will be used. 3. The marked squads used to set up the roadblock will be unoccupied. Officers from those vehicles shall be a safe distance away from the roadblock in case the pursued vehicle strikes a police vehicle. (11/20/01) 4. Marked squad used in the roadblock will have all emergency lighting activated. When possible, there shall also be a reasonable distance to allow the driver of the pursued vehicle to stop before striking a police vehicle. 5. The number of police vehicles used in a roadblock shall be limited to only those necessary to cause the offender to stop. This policy is not intended to prohibit the strategic placement of squads on side streets, driveways, parking lots and alleys to eliminate potential escape routes and assist in controlling a pursuit. Vehicle contact, rolling roadblocks and roadblocks may only be used when state law permits use of deadly force. (See Volume 5, section on Justified Use of Force) (11/20/01) 7-407.04 TIRE DEFLATING DEVICES The use of tire deflating devices will be governed by the procedures stipulated in this guideline. Only officers trained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations shall use spikes. When these conditions are met, the spike system deployment shall be as follows: (11/20/01) 1. Officers not actively involved in the pursuit, who have the spikes, shall position themselves on likely routes the pursuit may follow. 2. Once in position, officers shall monitor the pursuit and when the pursuit approaches their position, they shall advise other units of their location and intent to deploy the spikes. 3. The spikes will be deployed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. 4. Officers at the scene shall immediately seek cover after the spikes have been deployed. 5. Officers deploying the spikes are responsible for securing them immediately after their use. This includes searching the immediate area where the spikes were used and collecting any spikes that may have become detached. 6. Whenever the spikes are deployed, the deploying officer shall make a CAPRS supplement regarding the circumstances surrounding their deployment, the effects of the spikes on the pursued vehicle, and any other observation or effects of deployment. The deployment of spikes may not be used when the pursued vehicle is: 1. Any two or three-wheeled vehicle. 2. Any bus transporting passengers. (11/20/01) 3. Any vehicle that is placarded to be transporting hazardous materials. 7-407.05 HOSTAGE-INVOLVED VEHICULAR PURSUIT If a vehicular pursuit involves a hostage, the safety of the hostage must be the primary consideration in determining the tactics that will be used during the pursuit. As soon as the existence of a hostage is known that information shall be communicated to the pursuit supervisor. When a pursuit has been terminated, the pursuing officers shall notify dispatch and: 1. Reduce speed to the posted speed limits. (11/20/01) 2. Turn off emergency lights and sirens. 3. Turn off the pursuit route at the next available intersection. If an offender is apprehended: 1. Offer a breath/blood test if Probable Cause exists for DUI. 2. Obtain statements from passengers and witnesses. 3. Complete arrest report and all other necessary reports. 7-408.01 PURSUIT-RELATED ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION (04/01/05) When available, uninvolved Traffic Unit officers are responsible for investigating and completing an accident report for all MPD pursuits that end in the city of Minneapolis, except when it involves a critical incident. (10/21/05) Car 710, with the assistance of Traffic Unit personnel, shall investigate pursuits involving critical incidents. (10/21/05) 7-409 VEHICLE PURSUITS INTO MINNEAPOLIS BY OTHER JURISDICTIONS In any pursuit, regardless of the initiating agency or jurisdiction, MPD vehicles shall observe existing MPD policies regarding pursuits. If another agency involved in a pursuit enters the city limits, MPD officers shall not assist in the pursuit unless authorized by a supervisor. (12/14/07) Dispatchers will advise affected precinct channels of a pursuit entering Minneapolis from another jurisdiction and advise on which radio channel the pursuit is occurring. Dispatch will assign a precinct supervisor from the affected precinct to monitor the situation. The precinct supervisor will advise if further assistance will be given. (12/14/07) Dispatch will also try to ascertain the following information: (11/20/01) (7/26/03) 1. The need for assistance by the pursuing agency. 2. The reason for the pursuit. (11/20/01) 3. Description of the vehicle and the direction of travel. If more than two squads from other agencies are involved in the pursuit, only one authorized MPD marked squad shall assist in the pursuit. The initiating agency will be in charge of the arrest scene when they arrive. The initiating agency retains the authority to terminate pursuit. In the event vehicles from the initiating agency cannot continue, the pursuit supervisor may authorize MPD police officers to take responsibility for the pursuit if: 1. They are in position to do so. (11/20/01) 2. The offender being pursued fits the MPD's pursuit policy. Officers involved in another agency’s pursuit shall not leave the Minneapolis city limits unless authorized by the pursuit supervisor. 7-410 VEHICLE PURSUITS INTO OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY MPD SQUADS (11/20/01) Authorization must be given over the air by the pursuit supervisor before a pursuit initiated by an MPD officer leaves the City limits. (12/14/07) A pursuit supervisor shall continue to monitor any out-of-city pursuit and respond to the scene when the pursuit is terminated. The pursuit will be patched to an inter-op channel and all squads must precede their squad number with the word “Minneapolis”. (07/26/03) MPD officers have the authority to terminate pursuits out of the city of Minneapolis whenever an MPD marked squad is the primary pursuit vehicle. If a vehicular pursuit ends with an accident, the jurisdiction in which the accident occurs shall be responsible for the accident scene and the subsequent accident investigation. Dispatchers will inform other agencies when a pursuit initiated by the MPD is entering their jurisdiction. (A-B) The primary officer who initiates a pursuit is responsible for completing a CAPRS offense report entitled “FLEE.” The report shall contain:
• All officers involved in the pursuit shall make a supplemental report; (11/20/01) (12/14/07) • The pursuit supervisor shall file a supplemental report and ensure the information required in the offense/incident is documented; (12/14/07) • Whenever a pursuit vehicle is recovered/located, it shall be towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot and marked “Hold for Traffic - FLEE.” (11/20/01) • To ensure compliance with MN Statute 626.5531, Accident Investigation personnel in the Traffic Unit shall complete the state pursuit report form and forward it to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) within 30 days following the incident. (10/26/2000) NOTE: Passengers of a vehicle cannot be arrested for fleeing. (11/20/01) 7-412 SEIZURE OF PURSUIT VEHICLE (10/26/2000) (12/31/2001) (A-B) Vehicles may be seized for fleeing a police officer pursuant to Minn. State Stat. 609.5312, subd.4. The officer shall complete the “Notice of Seizure of Motor Vehicle for Fleeing Police Officer” form If the driver is not the registered owner of the vehicle, the notice of the hearing must be given to the registered owner within 48 hours of seizure. The MPD Seizure Accountant in the Narcotics Unit is responsible for notifying the registered owner. The hearing before a judge or referee must be held within 96 hours of seizure. The table on the form can help in calculating the date of seizure hearing. If it is a leased vehicle, serve the yellow copy to the driver. A copy of seizure form shall be faxed immediately to: (12/14/07)
The original seizure form should be sent to the MPD Seizures (Narcotics Unit) to be included with the case file. 7-413 REVIEW OF PURSUITS (10/26/2000) Vehicular pursuits that result in personal injury require a review by the pursuit supervisor. The pursuit supervisor shall obtain and review necessary reports, and MECC tapes if obtained, within five days of a subordinate's involvement in a pursuit to ascertain whether there was compliance with MPD policies and procedures. Involved officers and their commanders shall be notified within ten days by the pursuit supervisor of the status of the investigation. In incidents where a pursuit has been found not to be in compliance with MPD policies and procedures, the pursuit supervisor shall forward a memo with copies of reports to the appropriate commander. The commander shall review the case and forward it with any recommendations to the appropriate Bureau Head. 7-414 EMERGENCY ESCORTS OR TRANSPORTATION BY POLICE (A-B) VEHICLES Officers will not provide emergency escorts for private vehicles except under extreme or exigent circumstances. Officers may provide emergency escort for other emergency vehicles equipped with red lights and sirens, when requested to do so. Police vehicles should not be used to transport persons in need of physical medical attention except when ambulances are not available. Persons in need of medical attention shall normally be transported by ambulance and/or other medical equipment. (03/19/97) Employees shall not transport persons in police vehicles except for a proper police purpose or on official department business. GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS (GPS) IN SQUADS (06/19/07) (A-D) The purpose of this policy is to establish policies and procedures regarding the use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) equipment in squads. The intended purpose of implementing and using GPS in MPD squads is to increase officer safety, facilitate more rapid response times to 911 calls and to manage the department’s resources effectively. Supervisors may utilize GPS tracking capabilities, systems, information or data as a management tool within their chain of command. However, the MPD agrees not to use the GPS tracking capabilities, systems, information or data pro-actively to initiate a disciplinary investigation of any officer or officers outside their chain of command, absent independent and reliable information, which must be obtained through a separate credible source, that such an investigation is warranted. Officers are prohibited from altering or attempting to alter or disable GPS systems in MPD squads. |