What is a key criterion before initiating a pursuit for a 400-series traffic-related call?

• A. Public safety considerations and compliance with department pursuit policy.
• B. Pursue at all costs to catch up.
• C. Pursuit without air support.
• D. Ignore safety and chase through crowds.

Answer: (A)

Before starting a pursuit, the priority is public and officer safety and strict adherence to the department’s pursuit policy. Pursuits pose significant risk to bystanders, the suspect, and officers, so a risk-based decision is required: you weigh factors like traffic density, road and weather conditions, time of day, presence of pedestrians, and the seriousness of the offense. The policy guides when a pursuit can be authorized, how it should be conducted, and when it must be terminated or not started at all, often requiring supervisor input and ongoing risk assessment. If the potential danger outweighs any benefit of stopping the suspect, the pursuit should not be initiated. Air support and other containment options may be used under policy, but they don’t replace the safety-first decision. In practice, you don’t chase at any cost or ignore safety; you follow policy and prioritize public safety above all.