Page:Vehicle Pursuit Policy (17.05) of Florida Highway Patrol, 2015 Revision.pdf/5

 2. Stop for all stop signs and red traffic lights and proceed only after all other vehicles have yielded the right-of-way.

3. Members may exceed the maximum speed limits so long as life or property is not endangered.

4. In the event of any vehicle equipment failure/damage that could affect the safe operation of the patrol vehicle, the member operating the damaged vehicle shall not initiate or continue the pursuit and shall notify the Regional Communications Center.

5. Members shall not deactivate their mobile video/audio recording equipment while engaged in a pursuit and shall follow all operating procedures listed in FHP Policy 17.22.

When deciding whether to initiate or continue pursuits, members shall consider the potential harm to persons and property with allowing the offender to go unapprehended. The factors to be examined in making this decision should include, but are not limited to:

1. The seriousness of the violator’s original offense, and the immediate threat to the safety of law enforcement or the public.

2. The likelihood of apprehension.

3. The time, day, and location of the pursuit.

4. Type of roadway; i.e., multilane limited access highway, rural highway, urban roadway, four-lane/two-lane roadway.

5. Weather and roadway condition.

6. Presence and volume of other vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

7. Familiarity with the roadways and the area.

8. Capability of pursuit and pursued vehicles.

9. Pursuit speeds.

10. Evasive tactics employed by the violator.

11. Other available means of apprehension, such as obtaining a warrant for identified violators.

12. Use of aerial support, if available.

F. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRIMARY PURSUING UNIT
1. Immediately upon initiating a pursuit, the member shall notify the Regional Communications Center that he or she is in pursuit. If the primary pursuing unit is a one-person unit (no FHPA, FTO, Supervisor, other member ride-along), the back-up unit will assume all radio communications, allowing the primary unit to devote full attention to