(A) Normal emergency operation.
(1) Police vehicles shall be operated on an emergency basis only when the officer has reasonable cause to believe a life is in extreme danger, or when in immediate pursuit of a law violator. Such emergency conditions include:
(a) Officer needs assistance;
(b) Person calling for help;
(c) Report of explosion;
(d) Report of shooting; and
(e) Any case requiring the immediate and urgent presence of an officer.
(2) While operating a police vehicle under normal emergency conditions, the red light and siren must be operating; exception: silent runs (refer to division (B) below).
(3) The first unit arriving at the scene will evaluate the situation and advise the Communications Center to disregard units and equipment not needed. Those units disregarded shall not proceed to the scene.
(B) Silent runs.
(1) SILENT RUN is defined as operating under emergency conditions utilizing red lights, but no audible signal.
(2) Silent runs are authorized for the following:
(a) Robberies in progress;
(b) Burglaries in progress; and
(c) Situations when the officer’s discretion determines the need for red lights only, no siren.
(3) When using red lights only, the officer must:
(a) Obey all traffic laws;
(b) Stop at all stop signs and traffic signals; proceed only when the way is clear; and
(c) Operate with extreme caution and at a reasonable speed so as not to endanger the life and property of others.
(C) Pursuit driving conditions.
(1) PURSUIT is defined as sustained chase of a known or suspected law violator and is permitted for the following:
(a) On-sight pursuit of known or suspected felon;
(b) On-sight pursuit of traffic or misdemeanor violators, witnessed by the officer; and
(c) To assist in the pursuit of vehicle, but only when ordered to do so by the Town Marshal through the Communications Center, or by 911 Central Dispatch Center upon request.
(2) (a) While operating under pursuit conditions, red light and siren must be operating.
(b) The pursuing officer shall notify Communications immediately of the following:
l. Unit number;
2. Location;
3. Direction of travel;
4. Reason for pursuit; and
5. Description of vehicle, occupants, license number and the like.
(c) The officer shall remain in constant contact with Communications and advise of all pertinent information until such time as additional units are called for assistance.
(d) Communications shall broadcast the chase.
(e) No civilian personnel are to be in the pursuit vehicle.
(3) (a) At no time shall more than two police vehicles be in actual pursuit of another vehicle, unless specifically ordered to do so by the Town Marshal or by 911 Central Dispatch Center upon request.
(b) The second vehicle involved in the pursuit shall keep Communications advised of all pertinent information relating to the pursued and pursuing vehicle.
(c) The second vehicle may take over the actual pursuit only after being requested to do so by the initial pursuing unit.
(4) (a) Pursuit conditions may be terminated upon the authority of the pursuing officer and the Communications Center.
(b) The only units remaining at the termination point should be the initial pursuing officer and last officer pursuing.
(c) The officer of the primary unit is responsible for the arrest of the suspect when the suspect voluntarily terminates the pursuit or becomes involved in a traffic accident.
(5) (a) Members of the Department shall take reasonable precaution to protect life and property when establishing a roadblock for the purpose of stopping a fleeing vehicle.
(b) Upon the authority of the Police Chief, roadblocks shall be established using the following criteria.
l. A roadblock shall not be established on a blind curve or crest of a hill where the driver of the fleeing vehicle, or any other vehicle, would be denied the ability to stop.
2. The roadblock shall not be placed in a dark or shaded location where it cannot be readily seen by any driver of any vehicle.
3. Every effort should be made to locate the roadblock in an area that would minimize the probability of property damage or personal injury. Considerations include population, proximity to parks, hospitals and schools and open areas as opposed to residential and business districts.
4. Police vehicles may be used as a warning device, with red lights operating and parked as far off of the roadway as possible.
5. If time permits, flares shall be placed 600 feet before the roadblock to give adequate and appropriate notice to the pursued vehicle and all other approaching motorists.
6. The Communications Center shall be advised of the roadblock and all pertinent information for relay to the pursuing vehicles.
7. Supervisor’s responsibility.
a. The Chief or officer acting in his or her behalf shall be immediately dispatched to the termination point, if not already on the scene, and shall assume responsibility for any further police action at the scene.
b. The Chief shall prepare any special reports that may be required.
(Prior Code, § 33.52)