Advanced Pursuit Driving

To be rewritten/worked by new owner

Purpose: The purpose of advanced pursuit training is to establish the guidelines around PD procedures while in driving pursuits, and carryout the necessary training needed to keep the driving standards of the PD high.

Pitting is a useful tool when trying to stop and control a suspect vehicle and is used to bring the suspects to a safer stop then they would have done so themselves. Pitting is usually introduced into a chase when the suspect vehicle is driving recklessly and endangering people’s lives, or after the chase has continued for a prolonged period of time, typically over 15 minutes. In most circumstances pitting is done at the speeds of 80mph or below in the city, and 110 on the freeway, unless told otherwise. Pit, box, spike is also introduced into a chase by the confirmation by the senior in the pursuit authorizing it.

Boxing Procedure: Boxing and pitting often go hand in hand when chasing a vehicle. After a successful pit has been made and the suspect vehicle has been demobilized the units in the chase, in the right circumstances should stop the vehicle continuing to flee through the use of a boxing procedure. This is done by moving the units to contain the vehicle, primary initiating the pit so dropping behind the vehicle, secondary pulling in front and tertiary pulling alongside. The purpose of a box is to stop any motion or movement from the suspect vehicle by applying a block from each direction, with the use of the E-brake from the units to contain the vehicle. Depending on the units available and the location, this may involve 3 or 4 police units.

Training: The first stage of training is conducted at the airport/Zancudo away from the dangers of civilians, where basic training around the pit and box maneuver will take place. A basic pit is carried out when the front of the PD vehicle touches the rear end of the suspect vehicle at a slight diagonal angle, causing the suspect vehicle to spin and come to a stop. For this training the participants will be able to familiarize themselves on how to perform each maneuver to the standards set by the PD. A demonstration

will also be given by the instructors on how to best conduct this maneuver.

When in a pursuit a set amount of space should be kept between PD vehicles, and the suspect vehicle. This is to ensure the potential of a crash is kept at a minimum, and to avoid ‘ankles being broken’. When in a pursuit the distance kept between PD vehicle is subjective depending on the speed of pursuit, however in most situations the length of a 2 PD Crown Vic’s between each unit is advised. The chance of a 10-50 can also be decreased by the units not all being directly in the same line when driving, such as the secondary unit pulling out slightly more to one side, therefore in the situation that the criminals try and ‘break check’, the units are not all in the same line so will not crash into one another. Training: This stage of pursuit training will imitate a real chase, where participants will introduce what was they practiced in stage 1 into a real pursuit setting. In this stage participants will take it in turns to hold different positions in the pursuit, whether that be: primary, secondary thirsary or in parallels, and expected to be able to successfully pit the suspect vehicle at a number of speeds, and complete a box maneuver, bringing the vehicle to a stop. The aim on this exercise is to make sure each participant is confident with carrying out this maneuver and allowing them to practice pitting and boxing in a chase setting.

The racing lines taken in a pursuit can be the difference between keeping up with a getaway vehicle and losing eyes. Having good driving lines is beneficial when pursuing fast vehicles and driving cars with less mobility when turning. Racing lines consist of the optimal path around a course or along a road, which enables a high level of speed and momentum to be kept.