CrimeBeat: What’s cops’ protocol for chasing vehicles?

CrimeBeat Q&A is a weekly feature where police reporter Julie Johnson answers readers' questions about local crimes and the law.

What is the protocol of law enforcement chasing vehicles?

Irv Stump, Cotati

Some things are required, such as turning on the flashing red lights and sirens, and, in most cases, limiting the pursuit to three marked patrol vehicles.

The deputy driving closest to a suspect broadcasts the pursuit's progress to dispatch after first reporting the reason for the pursuit, location, speed of fleeing vehicle, number of occupants and other preliminary information.

Other factors also matter, like weather, time of day and location, any one of which could make it too dangerous to follow a suspect.

Sonoma County Sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum said chasing a suspect vehicle through a busy neighborhood when school is getting out is generally inadvisable, whereas a 3 a.m. pursuit through empty streets might be worth it.

“When the risk outweighs the benefit, then we discontinue the pursuit,” Crum said.

In its 12-page policy on vehicle pursuits, the Sheriff's Office outlines a variety of reasons deputies are advised to opt out of following a fleeing vehicle, from losing radio contact with dispatch to the risks fast-moving vehicles pose to the public, law enforcement and suspects.

“Vehicular pursuits require Deputies to exhibit a high degree of common sense and sound judgment,” the policy states.

On Oct. 27, a Cotati officer spotted a stolen car that had been seen at the site of a theft earlier that day.

It was about 11 a.m., “before the lunch rush,” and the officer gave chase, following the car from Cotati north to Santa Rosa Avenue, Cotati Police Chief Michael Parish said.

Parish recalled hearing the officer radio that the suspect started driving the wrong way on Santa Rosa Avenue. A lieutenant immediately replied, “terminate,” and the pursuit ended.

“That's a fair question for residents to ask: When do you initiate one and when do you terminate?” Parish said.

Parish said Cotati's pursuit policy is nearly identical to the Sheriff's Office policy.

They and most other local agencies subscribe to a legal service from an Orange County-based company called Lexipol that develops and updates policies for law enforcement based on California and case law.

Officers are encouraged to opt out of a pursuit when they know the driver's identity and can find that person later.

“With every pursuit we ask: Is it worth it?” Parish said.

Submit your questions about crime, safety and criminal justice to Staff Writer Julie Johnson at julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jjpressdem.