Appendix "B" for BCPPS Addendum 2 - Police Pursuits

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Definitions

Primary unit: The peace officer operating an emergency vehicle during a pursuit who is responsible for control and direction of the pursuit subject to the direction of a supervisor.

Secondary unit: The peace officer operating an emergency vehicle during a pursuit under the control or direction of the primary unit or a supervisor.

Policy Directive

Continuous Assessment of Risks When Exercising Section 122 Privileges

(1) A peace officer, when engaged in a pursuit as defined in the Emergency Vehicle Driving Regulation (the ‘Regulation’) or operating an emergency vehicle as described in section 4 of the Regulation, must continuously assess whether there are reasonable grounds to continue these activities when weighed against the risk of harm to members of the public.

Interjurisdictional Pursuit

(2) When a peace officer engaged in a pursuit enters the jurisdiction of another municipal police department, designated policing unit, or RCMP detachment, the peace officer must promptly take reasonable steps to ensure that the police department, designated policing unit, or RCMP detachment is notified that the police officer is engaged in a pursuit in their jurisdiction.

Terminating a Pursuit

(3) The decision to terminate a pursuit must be based on an assessment of the risk of harm to members of the public and whether it is reasonable in the circumstances to continue the pursuit considering the factors and presumptions set out in the Regulation. A primary unit may terminate a pursuit on his or her own initiative and must comply with any direction from a supervisor to terminate a pursuit.

(4) Once a pursuit is terminated, a peace officer shall not re-engage in that pursuit unless a new offence or other circumstances alters the assessment of risk that resulted in the termination of the pursuit, making it reasonable to re-engage in the pursuit.

General Pursuit Requirements

(5) No peace officer, other than the primary unit and the secondary unit, shall engage in a pursuit unless otherwise authorised to do so by the primary unit or a supervisor.

(6) At the onset of a pursuit, the primary unit shall request radio priority and immediately advise the communication centre that a pursuit is under way.  The primary unit shall provide the following information as soon as practicable: reasons for the pursuit, descriptions of vehicle being pursued, location, direction of travel, speed, and traffic conditions.

(7) The primary unit is responsible for control of the pursuit, including determining whether more than two units are required to participate in the pursuit and terminating the pursuit, unless a supervisor assumes control of the pursuit or transfers control of the pursuit to another peace officer.

(8) The primary unit shall broadcast information about the pursuit until the secondary unit confirms he or she is able to assume this responsibility.

(9) After assuming a position behind the primary unit, the secondary unit in a pursuit shall confirm its status with the communications centre and assume responsibility for broadcasting information about the pursuit.

(10) The unit responsible for broadcasting information shall maintain frequent radio communication, updating the pursuit status, which includes information on location, direction of travel, speed, traffic conditions, the number of people in the vehicle and other information that may affect the pursuit.

(11) A peace officer operating an unmarked police vehicle, a cycle or a motorcycle in a pursuit shall relinquish his or her position in the pursuit to a marked vehicle as soon as practical.

(12) During a pursuit, a peace officer operating a vehicle shall not parallel a pursuit route unless authorised to do so by the primary unit or a supervisor.

(13) A peace officer engaged in a pursuit shall not pass other police units or the vehicle being pursued unless requested to do so by the primary unit, or unless exigent circumstances exist.

Approved: February 11, 2000

Originally signed.

Kevin Begg, Director
Police Services Division
Ministry of Attorney General
Province of British Columbia