Vehicle Pursuits Community Panel on Police Pursuits Dr. Stanley Stone—Chairperson Council Workshop February 9, 2004

As Chairperson and on behalf of the City of Orlando, along with the Orlando Police Department, I would like to extend a special thanks to the panel members… C.T. HsuRon Blocker Robin Drage Wendy PardewRoger Clark Paul Rooney Melissa WilliamsGabriela OrtigoniMary Beth Elkins Chester GloverShawn DunlapKerrie Tersiano Jim PhillipsPaul CurtisFiolna Baxter Beverly Neal Ramon OjedaNatasha Permaul Mayor Buddy Dyer, City of Orlando Community Panel On Police Pursuits Michael J. McCoy, Chief of Police

Recommended Changes to OPD Policy

WHAT HAS THE COMMUNITY PURSUIT PANEL ACCOMPLISHED TO DATE? Changed name — “Operational Use of Police Vehicles” to “Vehicle Pursuits.” Simplified Pursuit Definition. Simplified the entire policy — more clear and concise. Included a definition for “Termination of a Pursuit.”

WHAT HAS THE COMMUNITY PURSUIT PANEL ACCOMPLISHED TO DATE? Included a definition for “Reasonable Suspicion” – most important element in determining whether an officer can pursue. Changed “Infamous Crimes” to “Violent Forcible Felonies.” Deleted confusing language such as: “…any other felony which involves the use, or threatened us, of violence or deadly force against an individual.”

WHAT HAS THE COMMUNITY PURSUIT PANEL ACCOMPLISHED TO DATE? Listed 10 Violent Forcible Felonies for which officers may pursue fleeing suspects. Included considering “Alternative Means of Apprehension” when deciding to pursue a fleeing suspect. Motorcycle units will no longer be allowed to pursue.

WHAT HAS THE COMMUNITY PURSUIT PANEL ACCOMPLISHED TO DATE? Officers can no longer pursue a suspect vehicle the wrong way on a one-way street. Rolling roadblocks, boxing in, heading off and parallel approaches are no longer permitted. Officers cannot engage in pursuits initiated by other jurisdictions unless the pursuit meets OPD guidelines.

WHAT HAS THE COMMUNITY PURSUIT PANEL ACCOMPLISHED TO DATE? Vehicle Pursuit Form is now routed, having more checks and balances for review (Approval/ Disapproval). Created Vehicle Apprehension Form to track how often suspects flee from officers for crimes/infractions which are not pursuable per policy.

A multistage process by which an officer attempts to initiate a traffic stop and the driver resists the directive to stop and increases speed or takes evasive action and refuses to stop the vehicle. New Definition: What is a PURSUIT?

Officers MUST reasonably believe…

…that the suspect refuses to stop is willfully fleeing attempting to avoid capture By: High speed driving Driving off roadway Making sudden/unexpected movements Driving on the wrong side of the street/roadway Running red lights/stop signs Evasive maneuvers

not or not to pursue The Decision to pursue

Decision (to pursue or not) is based on many factors Public safety Traffic congestion Nature of the suspected crime Later identification Time of day Vehicle speeds Weather Road conditions Officer loses sight of suspect vehicle Location (i.e., school zone) Type of suspect/police vehicle Circumstance that may cause officer to lose control of emergency vehicle Availability of airborne units Began in another jurisdiction Loss of radio contact Suspect drives wrong way on a limited access highway

The Panel recommended that officers pursue only for Violent Forcible Felonies 1.Murder 2.Manslaughter 3.Armed Robbery 4.Rape 5.Armed Sexual Battery 6.Arson to an occupied structure 7.Use of explosive devices to an occupied structure 8.Kidnapping 9.Armed Carjacking 10.Burglary armed with a firearm

The Panel took into account how long an officer has to decide to pursue or not. What the officer is doing while making this decision:  Fighting  Running  Talking on the radio  All of the above

The Odds 2 out of 3 end in collision when initiated for “felony reasons.” The Panel met with Dr. Geoff Alpert who relayed the following: 1 out of 3 end in collision when initiated for infractions. 1 out of 100 ends in DEATH! 1 out of 8 end in injury.

WHO DIES IN PURSUITS ? Suspects are killed most frequently Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2002 Third parties are second Officers are lowest

Who’s affected? Whose family is destroyed? Who are the survivors? Parents, children, wife, brother, sister, peers? Where might the guilt come from?

What’s Next? - Adoption of new OPD Vehicle Pursuit policy - Implementation -Training Training Training!! - Educate the citizens of Orlando - Monitor - Training Training!!

The Panel believes that the recommended changes allow officers, supervisors and commanders to closely monitor the need for apprehension vs. the potential danger created by the pursuit.

The End