3.3 - Pursuit Guidelines

California Highway Patrol | Standard Operating Procedures

Initiation of Pursuits

Vehicle pursuits and any type of pursuit are of an extremely dangerous nature. It’s in the vehicular charges and it’s a felony charge. To initiate a pursuit you must have a viable reason due to the danger it poses, e.g. arrest warrants, felony speeding, violent crimes, fleeing and several other reasoning.

During a pursuit, there shouldn't be any more than 5 units attached to the pursuit. CHP Supervisors can attach themselves to a pursuit if there is more than 4 units unless there is already a Supervisor attached.

You may go in opposite lanes of traffic during a pursuit however you must be going less than 40mph on the hard shoulder.

Termination of Pursuits

Once a pursuit has initiated, approximately 5 minutes must pass before any termination techniques are executed. Any manoeuvre conducted must be authorized by the highest-ranking law enforcement officer in the pursuit. Upon initiation, there shouldn’t be more than 4 law enforcement units attached to the pursuit unless there has been an officer in distress involved or related to the scene.

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• Pursuit intervention technique

• Rolling roadblocks

• Spike strips

• Standard roadblocks

• Precision Immobilization Technique manoeuvre

Pursuit Intervention Guidelines

Speeds should be between 30-60MPH during a PIT. Do not PIT a vehicle into oncoming traffic on a highway. Do not PIT a vehicle into pedestrians. PIT manoeuvres should be conducted when traffic is light and the relative danger to the public by intentionally causing a traffic collision is low. Only vehicles with push bars are allowed to perform a PIT. Spike strips may only be used on cars or trucks, do not spike strip bicycles, motorcycles, or any vehicle which contains innocent passengers. Do not spike strip a vehicle if it is travelling at such a high rate of speed that it may cause a catastrophic crash. Do not use spike strips in residential areas. When deploying spike stripes, ensure that you clearly notify units of exactly where it is and how they should avoid it, as well as ensure you remove it as soon as the suspect passes. Remain inadequate cover to ensure you are not struck by the suspect.