R728-503-7. Pursuit Tactics

(1) When reasonably possible, authorized emergency pursuit vehicles having the most prominent markings and emergency lights shall be used to pursue, particularly as the primary unit. When a pursuit is initiated by an unmarked patrol unit, such unit shall relinquish the pursuit to a marked patrol unit as soon as practical.

(2) Intervention techniques shall be used only when it is possible to do so safely and when the law enforcement officers using them have received training in their use.

(3) There shall be no paralleling the pursuit route.

(4) Motorcycles may be used for pursuit in exigent circumstances and when weather and related conditions allow. They shall relinquish the pursuit to a marked patrol unit as soon as practical.

(5) Roadblocks may not be used unless the circumstances would warrant the use of deadly force.

(a) When reasonably possible, roadblocks shall only be created with a supervisor's approval.

(b) When a roadblock is created, law enforcement officers shall:

(i) allow for reasonable stopping distance;

(ii) place the roadblock in a position that is reasonably visible;

(iii) reasonably ensure the safety of non-involved pedestrians and motorists; and

(iv) not place themselves or their vehicle in a position to jeopardize their own safety.

(6) Decisions to discharge firearms at or from a moving vehicle shall be governed by the law enforcement agency's use of force policy and are prohibited when they present an unreasonable risk to others. These decisions shall first be authorized when reasonably possible by a supervisor.

(7) When the pursued vehicle is stopped, law enforcement officers shall use appropriate officer safety tactics and shall be aware of the necessity to utilize only reasonable and necessary force to take suspects into custody.