24-164 Department General Order 5.05 "Emergency Response and Pursuit Driving" Update Packet #117

The purpose of this directive is to announce the revision of Department General Order 5.05 Emergency Response and Pursuit Driving, adopted by the Police Commission on September 18, 2024. Members will be held accountable for this policy starting Friday, November 22nd , 2024.

The major updates in this policy include, but are not limited to the following:

5.05.03, Definitions, revisions are as follows:

• Each definition was updated for clarity.
• Pursuit Supervisor - the definition now includes clarification that a field supervisor acting as the Primary pursuit unit may not assume the role of pursuit supervisor. A field supervisor or higher-ranking member not acting as the primary pursuit vehicle may act as the pursuit supervisor.
• Motorized Scooter - a definition has been added for "Motorized Scooter", however, pursuits of scooters fall under the guidance of DGO 5.25 Foot Pursuits.

5.05.05, Vehicle Pursuits: Pursuit Guidelines, revisions are as follows:

• This section now cites San Francisco Administrative Code 96l.2(d) and refers to the legislative language relating to pursuit authorization.
• A definition for and examples of violent misdemeanors have been included in the Pursuit Guidelines section.
• Members are reminded that they shall, at all times, drive with due regard for the safety of all persons. Members must weigh the seriousness of the crime against the risks to the public that a vehicle pursuit may present.
• Section F.2(a) Defensive Intervention Tactics - the language relating to "Spike Strips and Mini Strips" has been amended to refer to "TIRE DEFLATION DEVICES (TDD)" in order to align with TDD language already listed in DGO 5.01 Use of Force Policy and Proper Control of a Person.
• New Section: Vehicle Containment Technique (VCT) has been added to read as follows: "The VCT is a coordinated, controlled, and deliberate use of police vehicles (typically unmarked police vehicles) and trained members to make intentional contact to the front, rear, and/or side(s) of a suspect's stationary vehicle. The VCT is designed to contain the suspect's vehicle and negate its ability to flee, which greatly reduces the likelihood of a vehicle pursuit. The VCT shall only be employed with the approval of a VCT trained supervisor. The Vehicle Containment Technique shall only be employed by Units/Details that are authorized by the Chief of Police and have a Unit Order regarding the use of the technique."
• New Section: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) has been added to read as follows: "To minimize the dangers from vehicle pursuits, members shall be authorized to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAYs also known as drones) along with or in lieu of vehicle pursuits."
• Update to the Post-Pursuit Reporting and Analysis. This section now requires a copy of the initial report be emailed to EVOC via departmental email ([email protected]) and the original CHP 187A form shall be forwarded to EVOC via interdepartmental mail. The EVOC unit will send copies of all reports to the proper unit at CHP.

5.05.08, Annual Reporting, was created and reads in full "The Department shall annually report to the Police Commission on the total number of vehicle pursuits; the reasons for the pursuits; the number of pursuits that resulted in a collision; the number of pursuits that resulted in death or injury to a peace officer or member of the public; the number of pursuits that resulted in apprehension; and the number of pursuits that were found to be within or outside of policy."

Members are expected to have a working knowledge of all directives applicable to their respective assignment and comply with their provisions, per DGO 3.01, Department Written Directives. Members shall obey all written orders, policies, and procedures of the Department, per DGO 2.01, General Rules of Conduct.

Department General Order update packet #117is attached to this Notice and is available to members on the PowerDMS site. Further training to supplement DGO 5.05 will be forthcoming.

/s/
WILLIAM SCOTT 
Chief of Police

Per DN 23-152, all sworn & non-sworn members shall electronically acknowledge this Department document in PowerDMS within (30) thirty calendar days of issuance. Members whose duties are relevant to this document shall be held responsible for compliance. Any questions regarding this policy should be sent to [email protected] who will provide additional information.