Roads Policing Unit Policies

Pursuit Definition: a police driver is deemed to be in a pursuit when a driver indicates by their actions or continuance of their manner of driving that:

• They have no intention of stopping for police and,

• The police driver believes that the driver of the subject vehicle is aware of the requirement to stop and decides to continue behind the subject vehicle with a view to either reporting its progress or stopping it.

Primary Unit: A police vehicle directly behind the subject providing commentary.

Pursuit Tactical Advisor (TA or TACAD): An officer trained to recommend or authorise pursuit tactics. Does not have to be directly involved in the pursuit.

Pursuit Commander: A level 1 or 2 trained driver taking control of tactics employment in the tactical phase. Ideally a passenger.

Pre-emptive Phase
An incident is in the pre-emptive phase when police officers are behind a subject vehicle and the risk of an active pursuit is identified. Officers must make contact with supporting suitably trained drivers where the information and intelligence will be triaged and a decision will be made as to whether pre-emptive tactics are required and is so, which tactics are to be used.

If a qualified and current TPAC driver is already involved in or likely to become involved imminently, they must declare themselves and identify what their preferred tactics are.

Initial Pursuit Phase (IPP)
This is the period of a spontaneous pursuit before a tactical response can be considered.

1. Vehicle fails to stop and a pursuit is broadcast.

2. No tactics in place. Pursue only.

3. Unit to request additional resources (i.e. advanced/TPAC drivers, NPAS, DSU).

Tactical Phase
This is the phase of an authorised pursuit, for which appropriate resolution tactics are available. It is commenced by or taken over by a tactical phase trained (TPAC) advanced driver in a suitable vehicle. Once the pursuit is moved into the tactical phase, the pursuit commander must be identified.

1. Tactical phase drivers (TPAC) takeover.

2. TACAD sought and tactics authorised.

3. Pursuit Commander identified and controls the use of tactics.

Pursuit Priority: NPAS > Traffic > Advanced Driver (when in Komoda) > Firearms (unless Firearm involved) > Response

Tactical Contact
Spontaneous: 'self-authorised' in line with the National Decision Model when:

• There is an immediate threat to life or imminent serious injury and,

• Other tactics are not available and,

• Discontinuing the pursuit is not an appropriate option.

  Planned: 'authorised' planned tactical contact can only be used:

• by a TPAC driver and,

• requires the authority of a Tactical Advisor

What is a suitable vehicle for a pursuit?

1. Marked police vehicle with blue lights & sirens.

2. Police motorcycle.

3. Unmarked (IPP only unless tactical phase driver).

What is an unsuitable vehicle for a pursuit?

1. Personnel carriers (vans).

2. Personal vehicles without blue lights & sirens.

Who can stand down a pursuit?

• Initial or tactical phase trained drivers

• LS Controller/TACAD monitoring the pursuit

What must be included in an incident report?

• The name/collar number of TACAD.

• The name/collar number of Pursuit Commander.

We've lost sight of the vehicle. Do tactics remain?

• Temporary loss: Units conduct area searches to locate. Any authorised tactics remain.

• Termination: Units stand down, resuming patrol or generate warrant. Authorities rescinded. Further sightings must be re-authorised.

Legal Requirements

• When performing tactics, it must be:
  Proportionate
  Legal
  Accountable
  Necessary

• Do handover commentary to a tactical phase driver (TPAC) as soon as reasonably possible.

• Do remain a reasonable distance behind tactical phase drivers so as not to impede their tactics.

• Do obey traffic laws, despite exemptions, wherever possible even when pursuing or responding. Erratic/dangerous driving will not be tolerated.

• Don't continue to pursue if it becomes too dangerous. Follow up with RCT intel and/or a warrant.

• Don't drive on the incorrect lane of travel unless completely necessary (think NDM).

• Don't continue to pursue if you hit another vehicle or pedestrian to ensure they receive appropriate medical attention before continuing.

• Don't leave the pursuit on arrival of tactical phase drivers. They will attempt to stop and arrest the driver, but you should be processing the arrest.

• Don't enact tactical contact with a vehicle or pedestrian unless life is in immediate danger. Must otherwise be level 2 or 1 driver and be authorised by a trained TACAD.

Driving and Pursuit Policy

Initiating a Pursuit
Callsign   |   Fail to stop   |   Vehicle   |   Location   |   Additional resources   |   Commentary on channel X
"RM-1 ... vehicle failing to stop ... green Ford Mustang ... Elgin Ave towards Pillbox ... require additional advanced TPAC drivers and NPAS ... commentary on LS4 / Pursuit 1"

Pursuit Commentary
Driver level   |   Suitable vehicle?   |   Speed   |   Roads   |   Traffic   |   Pedestrians   |   DRA low/medium/high   |   Safe to continue?
"RM-1 ... marked IPP driver ... in a suitable vehicle ... speed 50 in a 30 ... roads are dry ... traffic is medium ... pedestrians low ... DRA medium ... safe to continue"

Direction Change
Left or right turn | Frequently remind if travelling North/East/South/West | Any landmarks?
"Left x2, ... Strawberry Avenue"
"Right x2, ... Sinner Street"
"Recip, Recip"