10-80 Pursuit Etiquette

In this Handbook we will cover the basics and etiquette (expected and desired behavior) of Officers during a pursuit. The handbook simply covers the make-up and roles of units in a 10-80. Officers must always remember that a 10-80 is not a competition, a chance to freestyle or show off, but a co-ordinated team effort to apprehend fleeing individuals. You should always drive with the safety of other road users, your fellow Officers and even the suspects fleeing in mind at all times.

A 10-80 or vehicular pursuit occurs anytime a suspect or set of suspects flees in a vehicle from officers attempting to detain/arrest or question them. At the start of a 10-80 pursuit. Whether this is a failed traffic stop (10-11) or a result of fleeing from a robbery of any description, the first step is to move the radio traffic off of the main dispatch channel swiftly and appropriately if this has not already happened.

Example:

"Dispatch; 101 is going to be in a 10-80 with a black colored Sultan occupied 3 times headed northbound Elgin, requesting additionals, bumping up to Channel 2"  

You would then change over to this frequency and state on 2 as follows:

"Dispatch; 101 is on comms. Is this frequency occupied?"

Await a response, if none is heard directional comms would proceed as normal until the time another unit attached as secondary and took over OR the pursuit ends.

Additionals attaching to the 10-80 should attach as follows on coms:

“Dispatch; 301 10-76 to the 10-80, bumping to 2”

Change to 2 and continue on the channel

“Dispatch; 301 is on comms, attempting to attach.”

When joining the chase frequency it is important to check that additional units are still required, as other units may have attached during channel changeover.

During the course of a 10-80 a Maximum* of 3 units (1 car = 1 unit. 2 bikes = 1 unit) can be attached to the pursuit and they will take designations as follows: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary. 

Each unit has a specific role and responsibility during the pursuit and the roles and responsibilities of each designation are as follows:

Primary: - It is the responsibility of the primary unit to maintain eyes upon the fleeing vehicle. The primary unit sets the stage of the pursuit, often taking initial coms until a secondary unit attaches. The primary unit should maintain a safe distance from the suspect vehicle whilst maintaining eyes. This allows the Officer driving time to react to sudden evasive turns or break checks.

•  The primary unit should remember their job is to follow - Not chase the suspect car.

• The primary unit should automatically and without delay resume radio com call outs if ever the Secondary unit or Air 1 states that they are “losing eyes” or “VCB” (Visual contact broken).

Secondary: - The secondary unit in turn follows the primary unit and typically is expected to call out the comms of the pursuit. The secondary unit must follow the primary unit at a safe distance but still in a manner where they can maintain eyes on the fleeing vehicle. Again this gives the unit the opportunity to react to sudden changes in circumstance. - The only times the secondary unit will not take coms is: 

• If the primary unit is carrying two Officers and states they will maintain comms 

• Air 1 is involved in the pursuit.

Tertiary: - The role of the tertiary unit is to follow the secondary unit and act as a backup unit during the pursuit to push forwards or break off as and when required. 

• If during a pursuit a civilian's car is struck by either the fleeing vehicle or primary/secondary units the tertiary unit should immediately break off and conduct a welfare check upon the occupants of the civilian vehicle. 

• The tertiary unit can also parallel during a pursuit in the city, running alongside the chase incase spikes are asked to be deployed. 

• The tertiary unit can intercept vehicles that appear to be interfering with the pursuit

• A tertiary unit can also sometimes be expected to or be asked to remain mobile during a foot pursuit in case the fleeing individuals hop into another car at which point they are expected to begin a new 10-80 as primary.

During a 10-80 unit position can and will change.. This is quite a common occurrence, just because you started a pursuit in primary doesn't mean you have to finish it in that position. 

• Have faith and trust in the Officers around you to fulfill their roles and duties as the designations change over. 

• NEVER attempt to overtake or steal a position or role in a 10-80 without consent from or instruction to the vehicle in front of you. 

• When agreed upon over the radio exchange positions during a time that it is safe to do so for all; including the surrounding populace and without either pursuing car having to take unneeded evasive or dangerous corrective action to avoid a collision.

During a 10-80 if the suspect vehicle U-Turns, the primary should follow suit and following units (Secondary and Tertiary) should remain stationary until they have been passed... This prevents units from turning into each other or otherwise obstructing the flow of the primary unit following.

During a 10-80 if the Primary/Secondary units hard 10-50 (A crash/accident strong enough to stop your vehicle) you should remain stationary until the rear units have safely passed you and reattach when it is safe to do so.... Again this prevents units from colliding with each other.

During a 10-80 when approaching intersections with units approaching from different sides, priority should be given to the unit whose vehicle doesn’t have to turn at the crossroads.

The reason for crossroad yielding etiquette is simply due to the argument that a car traveling straight at high speeds is thought to be more in control and therefore less likely to spin out, causing an accident or blockage for pursuing units than a car having to turn. Again we are following, not chasing the fleeing car.

Always remember: This isn't a race, primary doesn't win a prize and tertiary is not a dirty word. You’re a team, act cohesively and keep communication open at all times.

1. Pursuit Policy:

In the event of a pursuit involving a criminal vehicle, a maximum of three units are permitted to join per vehicle.

Should an additional criminal vehicle become involved in the chase, this is considered a separate pursuit. As a result, a new set of up to three units may join in this additional pursuit. It is essential that this distinction is maintained to ensure the efficient allocation and coordination of our resources.

2. Vehicle Impact Policy:

Our standard PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique) policy maintains a clear principle of minimizing harm and avoiding unnecessary vehicular contact.

However, if a criminal vehicle initiates aggressive contact by ramming into a unit's vehicle, this standard PIT policy is temporarily suspended for the incident at hand. In this scenario, the affected unit is authorized to take appropriate action, including using their vehicle to hit the aggressive car out of the way.

In doing so, the unit should always take the utmost care to ensure public safety, aiming to neutralize the threat posed by the criminal vehicle without causing undue risk to civilians or other units involved.