This document outlines standard operating procedures for foot pursuits by police officers. It defines key terms like foot pursuit, suspect, and supervisor. It describes factors officers should consider before initiating a foot pursuit and their responsibilities during one. It also covers terminating a pursuit, tactical considerations, the supervisor's role, and training requirements. The document provides guidelines to help officers engage in foot pursuits safely and apprehend suspects.

1. FOOT PURSUITS
SOP 1.85
SFC A. SONDEJ
12/2006 rev.

2. Foot Pursuit
March 8, 1997, Winter Haven, Florida:
“The male allegedly fled into nearby
woods, and the officer, who was wearing
body armor, pursued him on foot. Backup
officers arriving on the scene moments
later heard gunshots and immediately
began a search of the area.” They found
the victim officer several yards away with a
fatal gunshot wound to the face.

3. Foot Pursuit
July 20, 1997, Portland, Oregon:
“Recognizing the individual as the suspect
they were looking for, the officers both
gave chase into the overgrown backyard
of the residence where they became
separated by a hedge. The victim officer
was shot at close range with a .380-
caliber semiautomatic handgun in the
hand, leg, and fatally in the sternum, just
above the collar of his protective vest.”

4. Foot Pursuit
FBI research has shown that a significant
number of officers assaulted during foot
pursuits had no plan of action other than
arresting the suspect.
While there are no statistic kept regarding
injury and death to officers in foot pursuits,
it is a significant risk activity.

5. Foot Pursuit
Key to surviving a foot pursuit and
apprehending the actor is to have a plan.
Standard Operating procedure S.1.85
provides a framework to engage in foot
pursuits in a safe and tactical manner.

6. Foot Pursuit
Definitions

7. Contact/Cover
Describes the practice of having two or
more officers working together during a
foot pursuit. The officers work in unison via
direct or indirect communication to
coordinate their efforts, remain aware of
the locations of officers and suspects, and
keep abreast of the status of the pursuit.

8. Foot Pursuit:
A situation in which an officer, on foot,
chases a suspect in an effort to detain or
arrest that individual that he has
reasonable suspicion to believe is about to
commit, is committing or has committed a
crime and who is resisting apprehension
by fleeing from the officer.

9. Supervisor:
Member of the department assigned to a
position requiring the exercise of
immediate supervision over the activities
of members and employees.

10. Suspect:
Includes any individual who a police officer
reasonably believes is about to commit, is
committing or has committed an offense or
poses an immediate threat to the safety of
the public, other officers, or themselves.

11. Foot Pursuit
Procedure

12. Factors to consider when initiating
a foot pursuit:
Whether the suspect is armed
The offense committed by the suspect
Nature of area: residential, commercial, school zone,
expressway, etc.
Conditions of the structures: abandoned or condemned
Environmental factors: weather or darkness
Ability to apprehend the suspect at a later date
Familiarity with area, ability to transmit location of fleeing
suspect
Radio frequency and coverage (dead spots)
Availability of backup units to assist

13. Foot Pursuit
Pursuing Officers
Responsibility

14. Pursuing Officers Responsibility
The decision to initiate or continue a foot
pursuit requires weighing the need to
apprehend the suspect against the degree
of risk to which the officer and others are
exposed as a result of the pursuit.

15. Pursuing Officers Responsibility
On Pursuing the officer must notify Police
Communications of:
– Car number
– Location
– Direction of flight
– Description of suspect
– If armed with a weapon
– Reason for foot pursuit

16. Pursuing Officers Responsibility
The pursuing officer will coordinate with
other officers to establish a perimeter in
the area to contain the suspect.
– In the event that a suspect is confined in an area,
consideration should be given to the use of
specialized units such as Canine, ERT or Mutual Aid
Helicopter.

17. Communications Responsibility
Police Communications will notify a
supervisor of the pursuit circumstances
and any other relevant information.
All non emergency communications will be
held and the officer in foot pursuit shall
have priority on radio communications.

18. Officer Killed During a Foot Pursuit
After responding to a domestic abuse call, the victim
officer saw a man fitting the suspect's description run into a
field.
The officer exited his patrol vehicle and chased the man
through some tall weeds. During the pursuit, the suspect
turned and fired a .380-caliber semiautomatic handgun,
striking the officer in the wrist, twice in his protective vest,
and once just above the vest. The victim officer returned
gunfire, striking the suspect twice in the torso. The pursuit
continued until the suspect fatally wounded himself in the
chest. The officer died later at a local hospital.

19. Foot Pursuit
Tactical
Considerations

20. Tactical Considerations
If possible, officers should consider the
feasibility of the following strategies or
tactics prior to initiating foot pursuits:
– Area containment
– Surveillance
– Obtaining additional officers
– Contact and cover

21. Foot Pursuit
Termination of
Pursuit

22. Officer shall terminate a foot pursuit:
If ordered by a supervisor.
If the officer believes that the danger to the
pursuing officers or the public outweighs the
necessity for immediate apprehension of the
suspect.
If the officer loses his/her weapon.
If communications are lost.
Any circumstance where an officer loses sight of
the suspect and proceeding will place the officer
in a tactically disadvantageous situation.

23. Officers may terminate a foot pursuit:
If the suspect’s identity is known and he is
not an immediate threat to the safety of
the public or other officers, and can be
apprehend at a later date.

24. Foot Pursuit
Post Termination
Actions

25. Post termination actions
After termination of the foot pursuit,
officers will notify Police Communications
with the last know location of suspect or
point of apprehension.
Request any additional assistance or
medical aid.
Suspects shall be apprehended in a
manner consistent with the department
use of force directive.

26. Foot Pursuit
Supervisor’s Role

27. Supervisor’s Role
The supervisor’s role is to monitor a foot
pursuit and appropriately direct resources
to safely apprehend the suspect.
The supervisor will terminate a foot pursuit
at any time if it is determined the danger to
the pursuing officers or the public
outweighs the necessity for immediate
apprehension of the suspect.

28. Foot Pursuit
Training

29. Training
Foot Pursuit training shall be administered
once per year.

30. Officer Injured During a Foot Pursuit
While on vehicle patrol, the victim officer and his partner
saw two individuals in an automobile. After determining that
the pair matched the description of two suspects wanted for
possessing a handgun, the officers stopped the vehicle.
The passenger immediately fled on foot, and the victim officer
chased him for several blocks. After the victim officer lost
sight of the suspect, he began searching an area in front of a
building. The suspect, hiding in nearby bushes, opened fire
with a small-caliber handgun and wounded the officer in the
head and legs, causing extensive injury. The assailant escaped
from the scene but surrendered to authorities 2 days later. The
victim officer survived the attack but could not resume his
duties and retired from the department.

31. Tips for Surviving Foot Pursuits
Safe Officers….
Always radio their dispatchers to advise of their location,
the reason for pursuing the suspect, and the direction of
the chase.
Always ensure that suspects who flee from vehicles do
not have accomplices in the car who may attack from
behind.
Always take their vehicle keys with them to avoid having
suspects return to the scene and flee in police units.
Always wait for backup if they believe that the suspect is
armed.

32. Tips for Surviving Foot Pursuits
Safe Officers….
Always try to follow the same general path
as the suspects so that the suspects
discover any hidden obstacles such as
clotheslines, wires, cables, holes, and
sprinkler heads first.
Always remain cautious, in control, and
alert for additional threats and other
changes in the situation.

33. Foot Pursuits
Questions

34. Foot Pursuits Bibliography
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin May 2000
Volume 69 Number 5