25-067 Post-Incident Policy Review: Emergency Vehicle Operations Refresher Course

I. Purpose 

The purpose of this notice is to encourage sound reasoning and tactical decision making during the initiation, continuation, or termination of a pursuit through a non-disciplinary post-incident review of DGO 5 .05. Officer and public safety are of the utmost concern when balanced against the immediate need of apprehending a fleeing offender. The goal of this policy is to ensure that supervisors and involved officers consider the factors required by policy and training. The refresher course is not a debrief of the incident nor a discussion of any details of the pursuit (which triggered mandatory training). The training shall encourage an open dialogue between the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) staff and the members involved to provide any policy clarifications.

II. Policy 

The Training Division is tasked with conducting EVOC for Department members. EVOC members shall provide training and guidance on decision making processes when deciding to initiate, continue, or terminate pursuits. The Field Tactics Force Options Unit shall provide training, oversight, consistency, and guidance with respect to the application of field tactics and force options before, during, and after a pursuit.

The EVOC Refresher Course is mandatory when a member is involved in a pursuit that results in a traffic collision, if the pursued suspect is involved in a traffic collision, or as deemed appropriate by the Chief of Police. Members and supervisors who are subject to the mandatory training need only attend once in the calendar year of the qualifying pursuit. However, members and supervisors who previously attended the mandatory course may be required to attend on a case-by-case basis. Mandatory attendance is not punitive and is meant to reinforce critical decision-making to better equip members in future pursuits.

III. Procedure 

EVOC is tasked with identifying incidents qualifying for mandatory refresher training. A designated member of EVOC will review each CHP 187 Form to identify the pursuing members and pursuit supervisor. The designated member will prepare a memorandum to the Chief of Police listing the pursuing members, pursuit supervisor, and qualifying criteria for mandatory refresher training.

The Chief ofPolice may order the pursuing members and pursuit supervisor to attend the refresher training jointly, hosted by the EVOC and Field Tactics Force Options staff. The refresher training will be timely scheduled within 30 days of the pursuit and may take place at the District Station of occurrence depending on the number of members involved.

The refresher training will discuss the balancing factors when deciding to initiate, continue, or terminate a pursuit consistent with state law and Department policy.

IV. Administration 

The Commanding Officer of the involved members and pursuit supervisor shall ensure that the unit's training sergeant coordinates with the EVOC staff to arrange training.

The members attending shall be carried in HRMS at their home assignment, shift 5, with "Training Division EVOC Refresher Course" in the comment section.

V. Reporting 

The Training Division shall maintain the training records of members in attendance at the EVOC Refresher Course. The training record will memorialize the topics covered in the course.

/s/
PAUL YEP
Interim 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.