Standard Operating Procedures

Slotting Requirements:

• There Must be at minimum 2 regular patrol units to activate

• You must log the Activation and have it approved by a supervisor

This page will inform any officer and all members of the HEAT division of standard procedures for use of High Speed Interceptor Units and Tactics used by the unit in its entirety.

This Below information will be broken down into the following categories;

• Authorization and Use of HEAT Vehicles

• Out on Patrol

• During a pursuit

• Use and Deployment of Road Blocks

• Command and Communication Structure During Pursuits

Authorization for use of HEAT Vehicles

Vehicles used by this division of the LSPD are to prioritize calls that involve high speed vehicles and/or if said vehicle has multiple evasions (I.E 3 evasions) from LSPD

• A minimum of 2 regular patrol units must be available before a HEAT unit can be activated

• HEAT must be authorized by an officer of Sergeant rank or higher

• when PD population is low:

When PD population is low prioritise using 4-door vehicles as this will aid in the speed of transport and processing detained suspects

• An Officer is involved in a high speed pursuit with any number of vehicles

Out on Patrol

• HEAT can be out on regular patrol in the city, highways and the county. This way they can be on stand-by and be ready at any moment but if there isn't enough regular patrol units out in the field,  please use one until HEAT is called for

• HEAT  must not attach to any pursuits unless told to do so by the officer in charge. That being said, if you come across a crime being committed and involves a vehicle that isn't HEAT priority, pursue the vehicle and give updates on your location so backup (officers in standard patrol cars) can arrive and take over the situation. You must break off or stay in the rear if not enough patrol cars are available

During a pursuit

• Only 2 HEAT units to a pursuit. This way primary and secondary callouts can be utilized and if/or primary has a collision, secondary can take over the pursuit. Comms and callouts must be clear and regular so other officers can set up roadblocks, spikes and cutoffs to stop the pursuit

A 2nd unit may not be needed to join a single pursuit - this can be determined by the first attaching pursuit unit

• If there are only 2 HEAT units available and both are in a pursuit together. If another call comes through where HEAT is needed. Secondary can break off and attach to said call if necessary.

• You must prioritise the condition of your vehicle as these are limited resources, let the suspect make the error.

• Be aware of your surroundings, speed etc. this includes Pitting procedures as been taught in your LSPD training

Use and Deployment of Road Blocks & Spike Strip Deployment

This Section will cover the use and deployments of road blocks and spike strip deployment.

Roadblocks can and should be deployed when ample units are available as a method to slow the speed of a pursuit's progression.

A roadblock can be called for by an attached SEU Officer or police Sergeant when there is either a clear route of chase progression(e.g. Long section of highway/similar pathing followed by a vehicle multiple times), or when there are units available and ahead of the chase/pursuit route.

Spike Strip usage should be reserved for sections of roadways when the pursuit can be brought to a safe conclusion with minimal risk to both civilian safety and civilian property damage

Command and Communication Structure During Pursuit Scenarios

This section will cover command structure for any and all pursuit scenarios.

This Command Structure during a pursuit will follow the same basic structure used by all areas of the LSPD that grants the highest ranking member that is attached to the pursuit, Authoritative control.

• Chain of command has outright control over Tactic Deployment during a pursuit unless instructed otherwise by a high ranking official (Sergeant or Above) if there are no officers of sergeant ranking or above then the command falls to the first attached HEAT officer or lead vehicle of the pursuit, e.g. if a pursuit is already in progress before the attachment of HEAT then command falls to the lead vehicle until it is required for advanced tactics deployment.

• Command structure will remain as per standard pursuit training covered in your rise from cadet to FTO, these should be the priorities of units in a pursuit;

  • Primary; Control and continued line of sight to the Suspect vehicle

  • Secondary; Continued relation of location to other officers attached to the pursuit and 

    • This will be overruled by either attachment of Air Support Units when on open highways or areas where ASU line of sight cannot be easily restricted by buildings OR another officer is passenger in the primary vehicle as this officer will have more up to date details of the direction of the pursuit

  • Additional(3rd) + Attached(4th+); Rear traffic control and deployment of tactics such as spikes and road blocks when called upon by commanding pursuit officers.