R728-503-5. Pursuit Operations Policy

(1) When initiating pursuit, each authorized emergency pursuit vehicle shall activate appropriate warning equipment including an audible signal or visual signal visible to the front of the pursuing vehicle.

(2) When initiating pursuit and when reasonably possible during the pursuit the law enforcement officer shall notify communications of:

(a) the location, direction, and speed of the pursuit;

(b) the description of the pursued vehicle including suspects and occupants; and

(c) the reason for the pursuit.

(3) When reasonably possible the law enforcement officer shall keep communications updated on the pursuit.

(4) When reasonably possible, communications personnel shall:

(a) notify any available agency supervisor of the pursuit;

(b) clear the radio channel of non-emergency traffic; and

(c) relay necessary information to other law enforcement officers and jurisdictions.

(5) When reasonably possible, units and supervisors involved in the pursuit shall use a single statewide or regional radio channel that communications may restrict to pursuit communications.

(6) Unless circumstances dictate otherwise, a pursuit shall consist of no more than two police vehicles, a primary and a back-up unit. All other personnel shall stay clear of the pursuit unless instructed to participate by a supervisor. No unit shall pass another unit involved in the pursuit unless specifically requested to do so or it is otherwise considered necessary.

(7) The primary unit shall become back-up when the pursued vehicle comes under air surveillance, if available, or when another unit is assigned primary responsibility.