Independence Police 223 North Memorial Drive Independence, MO 64050 (816) 325-7350 FAX (816) 325-7270 GENERAL ORDER SUBJECT: Vehicle Pursuits No. 1994-026 Page 1 of 13 EFFECTIVE DATE: REVIEW/REVISION DATE: 1994 August 25, 2016 REFERENCE: State Cert. Standards 19.5, 21.13 PURPOSE This General Order establishes guidelines for vehicular pursuit, overtaking law violators, and the use of roadblocks in vehicular pursuits. POLICY Officers in the course of their duties are called upon to engage in emergency vehicle operations in response to calls for assistance, crimes in progress, pursuit of traffic law violators or hot pursuit of suspects attempting to evade apprehension. It is the Independence Police Department's policy to perform these tasks as safely as possible, keeping the safety of the public as its highest priority. PROCEDURE Definitions  Vehicular Pursuit - An active attempt by one or more police officers of the Independence Police Department to apprehend a suspect operating a motor vehicle while the suspect is knowingly trying to avoid apprehension by using high speed driving or other evasive tactics such as driving off a highway, making sudden or unexpected movements, or maintaining legal speed but willfully failing to yield to the officer's signals to stop.  Overtake - An active attempt to catch up to a motorist who is not yet aware that he/she is being pursued.  Serious Felony - A felony that involves an actual or threatened attack that the officer has reasonable cause to believe could or has resulted in death or serious bodily injury (i.e. aggravated assault, armed robbery, murder).  Roadblocks - Any method, restriction, or obstruction utilized or intended for the purpose of preventing free passage of motor vehicles on a highway in order to affect the apprehension of an actual or suspected violator in a motor vehicle. General Order Page 2 of 13 1994-026  Pursuit Termination Devices - Pursuit Termination Devices (PTD), are devices that contain numerous hollow steel spikes and when driven over, deflate a vehicle’s tires at a rapid but controlled rate.  Stop Stick Devices - A PTD system with spikes that can not be lowered. The entire system must be removed from the roadway before any traffic can pass.  Piranha PTD - A PTD placed under the wheel/s of a stationary vehicle to assist in preventing vehicle pursuits.  Primary Pursuing Unit - The police unit which initiates a pursuit or any unit which assumes control of the pursuit.  Assisting Unit - The police unit assisting the primary pursuing unit.  Pursuit Rated Vehicle - Any vehicle rated as such by the manufacturer. General  Safety (seat) belts will be worn at all times while operating a police vehicle or while riding as a passenger in a police vehicle.  All officers operating police vehicles shall exercise due regard for the safety of all persons. Officers involved in any type of emergency operation of a police vehicle must continually question whether the seriousness of the circumstances or violation justifies a speed in excess of the posted speed limit. No assignment shall be of such importance, and no task shall be expedited with such emphasis that the principles of safety become secondary. There are no tasks of such importance that justify the reckless disregard of the safety of innocent people. Human life must be placed above all other considerations.  Whenever practical, officers will attempt to avoid pursuits before they occur. Officers who identify an occupied stolen auto, or an occupied vehicle wanted for a felony offense should consider alternatives to attempting a car stop to initiate arrest. Alternatives may include:  Requesting a KCPD helicopter to observe the vehicle until it is stopped and the suspect(s) can be taken into custody without a pursuit  Deploying stop sticks prior to initiating a vehicle stop  Safely boxing in the vehicle while stopped at an intersection, parking lot or other location  All officers will be held strictly accountable for the consequences of their reckless disregard for the safety of innocent persons. Vehicular Pursuit  Pursuits for traffic violations or for misdemeanors will be avoided or terminated if they pose unnecessary risk to life or property. Any pursuit will be discontinued when there clearly is excessive danger to anyone. Reviewed 08-25-16 General Order Page 3 of 13 1994-026  Officers intending to make stops shall endeavor to be in close proximity to the violator’s vehicle before activating all emergency equipment, thus lessening the violator’s temptation to flee.  The decision to overtake rests with the individual officer. In arriving at this decision, the officer must carefully consider all factors involved, including the seriousness of the offense, the possible consequences, and most importantly the safety of the general public.  The decision to initiate a vehicular pursuit rests with the individual officer. When vehicular pursuit is initiated, all emergency equipment will be activated and it shall be reported to the dispatcher as soon as reasonably possible. This includes incidents that have escalated from routine overtaking situations.  Officers may choose to follow a suspect vehicle at a reasonable distance, without pursuing the suspect vehicle, until such time as sufficient back-up units arrive.  Truck chassis vehicles and unmarked police vehicles should avoid becoming involved in high speed chases. This is not meant to infer that these vehicles cannot be used to stop traffic violators or suspects of a criminal offense.  Police motorcycles, truck chassis or unmarked vehicles that initiate pursuit should request assistance immediately, and after a marked unit takes up the pursuit, the initial unit shall drop out of the pursuit. If necessary, the initiating officer may proceed to the termination point at the posted speed limit.  Officers operating unmarked vehicles (provided the vehicle is equipped with emergency lights and siren) may engage in vehicular pursuit only when the fleeing vehicle presents an immediate and direct danger to life or property. Whenever a marked vehicle becomes available to take over the pursuit, the unmarked vehicle will withdraw from active pursuit and serve in a support role.  The initiating officer will provide the dispatcher with the following information:  His/her unit number  Location, speed, and direction of travel  Vehicle description, including license number, if known  The specific reason for pursuit, including known laws violated  The number of occupants in the fleeing vehicle  Traffic and weather conditions  Location and direction of travel at two block intervals  Failure to provide this information can be cause for the field supervisor to order termination of the pursuit.  The initiating or primary unit shall be in field command, and bears responsibility for the pursuit unless relieved by a supervisor. Reviewed 08-25-16 General Order Page 4 of 13 1994-026  The authority of the primary unit pertains to the immediate field operation and is, at all times, subordinate to the command of the field supervisors.  The primary unit may maintain pursuit as long as it is safe to do so or until the suspect is stopped or until directed to terminate the pursuit by a supervisor.  Assistance will be coordinated by the field supervisor.  The active pursuit will normally involve no more than two units: the primary unit and one assisting unit. If situationally available, a canine unit may take over the role of assisting unit. Additional backup units shall only be authorized by a supervisor.  All other units will remain aware of the direction and progress of the pursuit by monitoring the radio frequency of the pursuing unit but shall not respond or parallel the pursuit on adjacent streets unless authorized to do so by a supervisor. Units not involved in the pursuit shall remain off-the-air unless circumstances dictate otherwise.  Upon joining the pursuit, the assisting unit shall immediately notify the dispatcher of its identity. If the primary unit is a one-man unit, the assisting unit, if in proper position to do so, may assume radio communications responsibility, allowing the primary unit to devote full time and attention to driving.  The assisting unit will maintain a safe distance behind the primary unit but be close enough to render backup assistance if and when required.  Assisting units shall, at all costs, avoid intersecting the path of an oncoming high speed vehicle.  If the primary unit becomes disabled, the first assisting unit will become the primary unit. The next unit to join the pursuit will be designated by the field supervisor. Offensive Tactics  In the course of the pursuit, deliberate contact between vehicles or forcing the pursued vehicle into parked vehicles, ditches, or any other obstacle, boxing in, heading off, ramming, or driving along side the pursued vehicle while it is in motion shall be prohibited unless such actions are specifically authorized by the watch commander or field supervisor. Such actions may be approved only when the use of lethal force would be authorized, see General Order 1994-009, Response to Force. Reckless or hazardous driving maneuvers shall not be duplicated by any pursuing vehicle.  There shall be no caravanning by field units not directly involved in the immediate chase.  There shall be no attempt by officers to pass other field units involved in the pursuit unless the passing officer receives specific permission from the primary unit or the field supervisor.  All units in pursuit, whether the vehicle in front of the unit is the suspect vehicle or another police vehicle, shall space themselves at a distance that will ensure proper braking and reaction time in the event the lead vehicle stops, slows, or turns.  Officers shall not pursue suspects the wrong way on controlled access highways such as I70, I-470, or other divided roadways. Reviewed 08-25-16 General Order Page 5 of 13 1994-026  The use of roadblocks MUST be authorized by the shift commander or the field supervisor.  Extreme caution must be used whenever officers disregard traffic signs or signals. Officers shall make use of all available warning devices to alert other motorists and pedestrians.  Departmental policy regarding the use of Lethal Force shall be strictly followed; refer to General Order 1994-009, Response to Force. Communication Center Responsibility  Receive and record all incoming information on the pursuit and the pursued vehicle.  Immediately notify the field supervisor and the watch commander when a pursuit is initiated.  Clear the radio frequency of any unnecessary traffic and advise all other units that a pursuit is in progress, providing all relevant information.  Perform relevant record and motor vehicle checks.  Continue to monitor the pursuit until it has been terminated.  In the event that a StarChase device is deployed, communications unit personnel will assume the role of StarChase monitor and will provide updates to field units as to the location of the suspect vehicle. Supervisory Responsibility  The watch commander and the field supervisor shall have the responsibility to assure that all subordinate personnel under their command shall receive appropriate training in policy and procedures relating to pursuits.  Upon being notified of the pursuit, the field supervisor shall verify the following:  No more than the required or necessary units are involved in the pursuit  The proper radio frequency is being utilized  Affected adjacent agencies are being notified  The field supervisor will continue to direct the pursuit, approve or order alternate tactics, such as use of a roadblock, and maintain control until the pursuit is terminated. In the absence of adequate information from the primary or backup unit, the field supervisor or shift commander can terminate the pursuit.  In the event of a StarChase deployment, the supervisor will coordinate with the communications unit regarding the location of the suspect vehicle. The supervisor will coordinate a perimeter, based on the updated location, and will coordinate the necessary resources to provide the best opportunity for an apprehension. Reviewed 08-25-16 General Order Page 6 of 13 1994-026  As with tactical field problems, it is not necessary that the field supervisor be physically present in order to begin coordination and assert control of the pursuit.  The field supervisor should proceed to the termination point to provide guidance and necessary information when the pursuit ends with an apprehension.  The field supervisor shall ensure that all appropriate reports are taken in regard to the pursuit and that all necessary paperwork is approved and submitted through proper channels before the end of his/her tour of duty.  The field supervisor will critique the pursuit with all involved personnel as soon as possible. If this can not be accomplished on the same day, the critique will be conducted at the next roll call meeting where involved personnel are present. When possible, the involved Tele-communicator should attend the critique or be given a critique privately.  The Special Operations Division Commander will cause an annual analysis of these critiques to be completed.  In the event of a StarChase deployment, the supervisor will ensure that a replacement cartridge is inserted into the vehicle system and that the serial number of the cartridge is uploaded electronically. Roadblocks  When it has been determined that a felony pursuit has been initiated or a misdemeanor pursuit has escalated into a felony pursuit, the shift commander or field supervisor may authorize one or more roadblocks at different locations to be set in the potential path of the suspect. Use of road blocks are dangerous and should be only used in extreme cases and after considering the safety of the public and the officers. Use of road blocks may constitute lethal force. Departmental policy regarding the use of lethal force shall be strictly followed. Refer to General Order 1994-009, Response to Force.  When selecting a site for a roadblock, consideration should be given to an area which provides maximum safety to the public and to the officers while facilitating the apprehension of the suspect, e.g., the end of a long bridge, the presence of guardrails, or other physical or natural barriers, etc.  Officers will not place themselves in a location which unnecessarily contributes to or heightens a threat to their personal safety, such as taking up a position on the roadway directly in the path of the fleeing vehicle, when a more prudent location is readily available. Officers who do so may not be justified in using lethal force based solely on that threat to their safety.  Police vehicles, vehicles from other agencies, barricades, traffic cones, flares, and other similar devices may be used to create a roadblock. The use of unmarked police vehicles should be avoided if possible. Privately owned vehicles will not be used.  The decision to totally block the roadway will be done only with the approval of a supervisor. It will be based upon the hazards presented by the pursuit versus the hazards presented by totally blocking the roadway. An avenue should be left for other motorists to prevent congestion but closed to the fleeing vehicle as it approaches. Reviewed 08-25-16 General Order Page 7 of 13 1994-026  Once the roadblock has been established using police vehicles, the officers should do the following:  Roll down the windows in the blocking vehicles and close the doors  Shut off the engine  The emergency (red and blue) lights must remain on  Exit the vehicle and stay clear  Officers shall take up positions on the same side of the street and not on opposing sides  Radio transmissions should be held to a minimum other than to advise the pursuing units of the location of the roadblock and any specific plan of action  Pursuing officers will provide officers at the roadblock with information regarding the fleeing vehicle, its occupants, its location, and speed and other pertinent facts  Upon approach to the roadblock, the pursuing units should slow down and be prepared to stop well short of the roadblock Pursuit Termination Devices  Pursuit Termination Devices are designed to be used against vehicles having at least four tires. Use against motorcycles and three-wheeled vehicles substantially increases the risk of bodily injury or death to the vehicle’s operator and passengers. Under no circumstances will PTDs be used against a motorcycle or three-wheeled vehicle unless the use of lethal force is legally justified.  Every reasonable effort will be made to avoid using PTDs on road surfaces where, or in the immediate vicinity there is:  Standing water  Ice or snow  Exceptionally rough pavement  Other unique characteristics or circumstances that would indicate a foreseeable increase in the risk of a serious accident  Deployment Guidelines  PTDs will only be deployed by officers who have received the designated training in the use of the device as established by the training unit of the department  PTDs should be deployed in areas with unobstructed views of the roadway from both directions so as to aid deployment and lessen the possibility of an accident Reviewed 08-25-16 General Order Page 8 of 13 1994-026  Once the PTD is in place, the deploying officer should seek a secure location away from the path of the fleeing vehicle. Deploying officers should not use their vehicle for protection  PTDs may be deployed to assist outside agency officers involved in pursuits into our city  The deploying officer is responsible for rendering assistance to any un-involved citizen who may sustain vehicle or property damage as a result of the use of PTDs  The deploying officer will be required to generate a supplement to the car chase report that should include all related facts of the deployment and list all third party damage resulting from the use of PTDs  Stop Stick Devices  Stop Stick PTDs should be deployed in a manner recommended by the manufacturer and in accordance with department policy, procedure and training  The deploying officer should advise the dispatcher where PTDs are being deployed so they can advise the pursuing officers allowing time to back off from the fleeing vehicle so that the PTDs can be removed once the suspect vehicle has passed  Officers must use extreme caution when deploying stop sticks on interstate highways and other roadways where high speeds and high volume traffic exists. Officers are not to attempt stop stick deployment at the expense of officer safety  After deployment, DO NOT hold onto any part of the PTD; serious injury to hands, wrists or other body parts could result  When a fleeing vehicle has passed the PTD location, the deploying officer should immediately remove the device from the roadway so pursuing vehicles can pass  The deploying officer will complete a StopTech Pursuit Reporting Form including all related facts and third party damage as a supplement to the car chase report  A copy of the Stop Tech Pursuit Reporting Form will be forwarded to the Patrol Administrative Specialist so that replacements can be obtained  Stop Sticks damaged by the deployment will be placed in the designated area for destruction StarChase Pursuit Management System  The StarChase system allows an officer to remotely affix a GPS tracking device to a pursued or about to be pursued vehicle using an air pressure system to discharge the tracker from the front of the StarChase equipped patrol car to the vehicle in front of it. Once the tracker is affixed, its location can be tracked by an employee (StarChase Monitor) using a computer with an internet connection. Reviewed 08-25-16 General Order Page 9 of 13 1994-026  For the purpose of clarity of communications, radio traffic should identify the device as “StarChase.”  StarChase equipment in the patrol vehicle will only be operated by officers who have been trained in its use. StarChase equipped vehicles will not be assigned to officers who are not trained on its use unless required by exigent circumstances.  When it is determined that a StarChase device will be affixed to a vehicle that is currently not being pursued (i.e.; occupied stolen auto, occupants wanted, etc), every effort will be made to affix the StarChase device prior to an officer activating any emergency equipment.  Except as specified below, officers shall use their own judgment regarding affixing a StarChase tag upon a pursued vehicle and do not need prior approval from a supervisor  All safety decisions related to the discharge of a StarChase tag rest with the operating officer. While supervisors may direct or approve the deployment of a StarChase equipped patrol car in a pursuit and/or the discharge of a tag, safety decisions related to passing other involved vehicles and the actual discharge of the device rest solely upon the operating officer whose decisions must take into account the guidelines contained in this General Order regarding pursuits. In accordance with policy, the safety of officers, uninvolved persons and persons inside the pursued vehicle shall be considered. The following decisions are specifically included:  Whether the officer can safely maneuver close enough to the suspect vehicle to come within target range  Whether the officer can safely pass any other vehicle involved in the pursuit  Whether any circumstance would indicate the device would not work (e.g. weather conditions, suspect vehicle weaving, etc.)  StarChase equipped patrol cars, with approval from a supervisor, are authorized to respond with emergency equipment to join a pursuit for potential use of the device.  Unless directed otherwise, the StarChase equipped vehicle will join the pursuit at the rear of authorized pursuing vehicles until cleared to pass  Once a StarChase equipped vehicle joins a pursuit, it becomes an authorized unit as it relates to the number of authorized pursuing vehicles  StarChase equipped vehicles may pass other pursuing vehicles only when deemed safe and only with specific permission from the unit to be passed. Permission is to be sought and acknowledged one passing at a time. Officers driving the StarChase equipped vehicle will identify which side of the overtaken vehicle they will pass  StarChase tags will be deployed in accordance with training.  Once the StarChase tag has been successfully deployed, pursuing vehicles should normally drop back significantly from the suspect vehicle and deactivate all emergency equipment Reviewed 08-25-16 General Order Page 10 of 13 1994-026  Officers will maintain constant communication with the StarChase Monitor for speed/direction/location updates of the suspect vehicle  The Supervisor will coordinate with the StarChase Monitor to direct resources and officers to appropriate locations to apprehend the suspect  No officer who is driving a moving patrol car will access the StarChase Monitor data as this creates an unnecessary hazard  Tactical Considerations  The StarChase tag will not normally be deployed in the following situations unless the suspect poses a substantial risk to the public:  During heavy rain  While driving on exceptionally rough terrain  On a motorcycle  When pedestrians are between or very near the suspect vehicle and the StarChase equipped vehicle  In addition to the normal pursuit reporting procedures required by policy, officers who use the StarChase system will report all tag deployments to the Patrol Division Commander by using an electronic reporting form; the electronic address of this form will be provided to officers during training conducted for the StarChase system.  The StarChase system will be referred to as a “confidential source” within any police report. Inter-Jurisdictional Pursuits  The communications center will notify outside agencies if officers of the Independence Police Department are in pursuit in their jurisdiction. The informing person will specify that the call is either a request for assistance or merely a courtesy notification with no participation required and seek any information which would be beneficial to the pursuing officer.  When the pursuit proceeds into another jurisdiction by crossing the state line into Kansas, the officer shall again consider the gravity of the offense or violation in determining whether or not the pursuit should be continued. At the discretion of the field supervisor or the shift commander, the pursuit may be continued with the following modifications:  The primary unit and his assisting unit may continue if the vehicle and occupants are known to have been involved in, or committed, a felony crime or  If they have probable cause to believe that the vehicle and occupant(s) have been involved in, or committed, a felony crime Reviewed 08-25-16 General Order Page 11 of 13 1994-026  Pursuits crossing the state line into Kansas which do not meet either of the above criteria must be approved by the on-duty watch commander  When the primary unit from this department determines that the vehicle involved in a felony crime, or suspected of being involved in a felony crime, is about to cross into Kansas, the primary unit will immediately advise the communications center of the affected jurisdiction so that its officers can be alerted. The primary unit from this department will advise the communications center of the exact location, if known, or approximate location where the vehicle being pursued will penetrate the state line.  The primary unit and the assisting unit will continue the pursuit into Kansas, still operating in emergency mode, until such time as a unit from the affected jurisdiction intercepts the pursuit. At this point, the unit from the affected jurisdiction will assume the role of primary unit. The primary unit from this department will be delegated to an assisting unit. The original assisting unit from this department will terminate emergency operation and return to his jurisdiction unless directed otherwise by the field supervisor or watch commander.  Even though more units from the affected jurisdiction enter the pursuit, the primary unit from this department will continue the pursuit to the terminating point, if possible, for the following reasons:  Loss of visual contact with the suspect vehicle by the primary unit from this department may compromise chances for conviction for crimes in this city  Any voluntary termination by the primary unit from this department in a jurisdiction in Kansas would unnecessarily endanger the men and equipment from the jurisdiction that is attempting to assist this department  If a felony suspect is apprehended in the state of Kansas, the Kansas unit taking custody of the subject shall transport him to the appropriate booking facility and the primary unit from this department shall proceed to that booking facility and have the suspect booked on his/her complaint. Our department will then initiate extradition procedures.  When the pursuit proceeds into another Missouri jurisdiction, be it for a felony, suspected felony, misdemeanor, or suspected misdemeanor, the gravity of the offense or violation must again be weighed to determine if the pursuit should be continued. At the discretion of the primary pursuit unit from this department, the pursuit may be continued into other Missouri jurisdictions unless terminated by the field supervisor or the watch commander. When the vehicle being pursued enters into another Missouri jurisdiction, the same procedures regarding pursuit vehicles and notification of affected jurisdictions as outlined above will be followed.  In the event the suspect(s) are apprehended in another Missouri jurisdiction, it will be at the discretion of the affected jurisdiction if they wish to take custody of the suspect(s). If they do take custody, the primary officer will notify their booking facility to hold the suspect(s) for our department. This applies to felony or misdemeanor offenses. After the suspect(s) are released to our department, they will be transported to our detention facility and booked on the primary unit’s appropriate charges. If the affected jurisdiction releases the suspect(s) to our department at the scene of the apprehension, they will be transported to our detention facility and booked on appropriate charges. This applies to both felonies and misdemeanors. Reviewed 08-25-16 General Order Page 12 of 13 1994-026 Pursuit into this Jurisdiction from another Jurisdiction  Notification by another jurisdiction of a pursuit in progress shall not be construed as a request to join the pursuit. The caller from the outside jurisdiction shall specifically be asked if they are making a request for assistance or merely making a notification.  Officers will not become involved in another jurisdiction's pursuit unless specifically authorized by the field supervisor or watch commander, unless it is clearly demonstrated that a unit from an outside jurisdiction is unable to request assistance or the emergency nature of the situation dictates the need for assistance. In these instances, all departmental Pursuit and Response to Force General Orders are in effect.  The field supervisor or watch commander receiving a notification of a pursuit by an outside jurisdiction shall carefully assess the circumstances to determine if the pursuit is likely to enter the department's jurisdiction. Prior to making any radio broadcast, the communications center will obtain from the notifying department the same information our primary unit is expected to provide.  The Independence Missouri Police Department will make every attempt to deploy PTD’s on suspect vehicles when outside jurisdictions are involved in vehicle pursuits that enter our city. The safety and welfare of the citizens and visitors of Independence outweigh the inherent risk that the suspect’s are placing them in through the pursuit. The supervisor involved in the pursuit will advise dispatch to inform the outside agency that PTD’s will be deployed unless the other agency specifically requests them not to be used.  Requests by other jurisdictions for pursuit assistance will be broadcast and the first departmental unit assigned will be designated as the assisting unit. Any additional assistance such as the use of roadblock, stop sticks, or OPTICOM by this department will be specifically authorized by the field supervisor and the procedures established in this General Order will be in effect.  If the pursuit leaves our jurisdiction, officers from our department will disengage from the pursuit unless authorized to continue by the watch commander or field supervisor.  If the suspect(s) are apprehended in our jurisdiction, it will be at the discretion of the shift commander or the field supervisor as to whether the suspect(s) are released to the initiating jurisdiction or booked at our detention facility.  If the suspect(s) are released to the initiating jurisdiction, all units from this department shall return to service as soon as their assistance is no longer needed. Termination of Vehicular Pursuit  The decision to abandon pursuit may be the most intelligent course of action under certain circumstances. Officer(s) must constantly question whether the seriousness of the crime/offense justifies continuing the pursuit. An officer will not be censured when, in the officer's opinion, continued pursuit constitutes an unreasonable risk to the welfare of the officer and the public at large.  A vehicular pursuit shall be terminated under any of the following circumstances: Reviewed 08-25-16 General Order Page 13 of 13 1994-026  If, in the opinion of the pursuing officer, the field supervisor, or the shift commander, there is a clear and unreasonable danger to the officer and/or other users of the highway created by the pursuit that outweighs the necessity for immediate apprehension  The suspect’s identity has been established to the point that later apprehension can be accomplished and there is no longer a need for immediate apprehension  The prevailing traffic, roadway, and environmental conditions indicate the futility of continued vehicular pursuit  The pursued vehicle’s location is no longer known  The pursuing officer knows, or is reasonably certain, that the fleeing vehicle is operated by a juvenile and the offense constitutes a lesser misdemeanor or non-violent felony and the safety factors involved are obviously greater than a juvenile can cope with  The termination of a pursuit does not prohibit the following of a vehicle at a safe speed, or remaining in an area to re-initiate pursuit if opportunity and conditions permit Unoccupied Vehicles (confirmed stolen vehicle or wanted for another crime)  Officers locating an unoccupied stolen vehicle, or an unoccupied vehicle wanted in connection with another crime, will confirm the status through dispatch.  All reasonable efforts will be made to place a Piranha PTD at the vehicle tires following manufacturer’s recommended procedures.  Officers on surveillance of an unoccupied stolen vehicle, or an unoccupied vehicle wanted for another crime, will make all reasonable efforts to apprehend suspect/s entering the vehicle prior to the vehicle becoming mobile. This may include attempts to block the vehicle prior to it becoming mobile, use of PTD’s, and/or requesting assistance of unmarked detective or other investigative vehicles to aid surveillance and capture.  Officers locating a wanted unoccupied vehicle will notify a supervisor. If the decision is made to conduct surveillance on the vehicle in an attempt to capture the occupant, the officer will request a supervisor respond to coordinate the incident. Reviewed 08-25-16