09/19/11 GEN 511.01 Page 5 of 9
b.
when substantial evidence indicates the vehicle has been involved in and left the scene of a traffic crash involving death or serious bodily injury. If suspect information is known or the resulting injuries are determined less severe than initially reported, a pursuit shall not be initiated or shall be discontinued if in progress. Note: Exceptions to this provision shall include physical breaches to security checkpoints within the Port of Tampa, Tampa International Airport, or other statutorily defined locations with restricted or secured restricted access as determined by the Sheriff.
2.
Prior to initiating a pursuit, factors to be considered include, but are not limited to: a. b. c. d. e. f. g.
speed road conditions identity (known) and actions of suspect weather pedestrian volume time of day special circumstances: (1) (2)
3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
B.
active school zone driving against oncoming traffic
Pursuits shall not be initiated for civil traffic infractions only. In any event, pursuits shall not continue past the point in time when the danger to the public or law enforcement personnel outweighs the need to immediately apprehend the suspect. All communications related to pursuits will be via voice, not MCT. All units involved in the pursuit will advise status (i.e. primary secondary, parallel, etc.). Any unit involved in the pursuit equipped with on-board video equipment will activate the equipment (video and audio) for the entire incident and document same in the pursuit form.
Conduct of a Pursuit: 1.
2.
The decision of continuing a pursuit in which the fleeing vehicle refuses to stop will be evaluated continuously by the pursuing law enforcement officer, the shift commander, and/or patrol supervisor. This evaluation will include, but not be limited to, factors considered prior to initiating a pursuit. Upon initiation of a pursuit, only the initiating police vehicle (the primary vehicle) and two back-up vehicles (secondary vehicles) will normally be necessary. The number of units involved may be adjusted, with supervisory approval, to fit the situation. However,