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5.2.1 - Initiation & Continued Justification

Vehicle pursuits must be conducted under the DPS pursuit and emergency driving standards. Officers shall consider the seriousness of the incident, driving behavior, traffic, weather, visibility, pedestrians, and danger created by continued pursuit. Continuation is not automatic simply because a driver refuses to stop.

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5.2.2 - Pursuit Staffing

  • Maximum three pursuit units without supervisor approval for additional units.
  • The initiating unit communicates the location, direction, vehicle description, reason for pursuit, traffic conditions, and developing hazards.
  • Additional responding units shall not join merely because they are nearby; follow dispatch or scene command assignments.
  • Air One deployment is subject to applicable staffing minimums and specialized aviation policy; this page does not define an unverified numeric minimum.

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5.2.3 - Supervision & Communication

A supervisor should monitor serious pursuits, direct staffing and tactics, and order modification or termination when justified. Units shall use the radio priority standards of Section 4 and provide material updates. If the pursuit transfers command or crosses coverage areas, clearly identify the responsible unit.

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5.2.4 - PIT & Vehicle Interventions

The historical Section 5.8 required at least eight minutes and supervisory approval before a PIT, together with a safe location. These existing constraints are retained pending command reconciliation with current interceptor/PIT training; they are not a stand-alone authorization to use force.
  • A PIT or other intentional contact must satisfy the Full Use of Force Policy and applicable certified-driver/pursuit procedures.
  • Consider speed, location, bystanders, vehicle type, traffic, and likely injury before any intervention.
  • Supervisor approval is required under the historical pursuit rule, subject to any separately published emergency exception in controlling policy.
  • Where an intervention poses a substantial risk of death or great bodily harm, deadly-force requirements apply.
The eight-minute rule is a legacy DPS requirement, not proof that an intervention becomes safe after eight minutes. Command should explicitly confirm, amend, or retire this threshold before final publication.

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5.2.5 - Disengagement & Documentation

Disengagement is a legitimate safety decision, not a failure. Officers shall disengage when directed by a supervisor or when continuation no longer satisfies governing policy. Record the cause, material hazards, vehicle contacts or force, and final disposition in the MDT; report collisions and force under the corresponding policies.

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5.2.6 - Interceptors

Interceptor staffing, primary/secondary roles, and A-class engagement restrictions are governed by Section 6.3 and approved interceptor certification requirements.