What is the correct approach for a 400-series call when a suspect flees on foot?

• A. Immediately abandon the pursuit and wait for backup.
• B. Do not set a perimeter to avoid alert.
• C. Set a perimeter if safe, request backup per policy, and continue pursuit only as allowed.
• D. Chase through traffic regardless of safety.

Answer: (C)

When a suspect flees on foot, safety for the public and officers, along with containment of the suspect, guides the response. The best approach is to set a perimeter if it can be done safely, request backup per policy, and continue pursuit only as allowed by policy and conditions.

Setting a perimeter creates a controlled area to prevent the suspect from slipping away into crowds or traffic and to coordinate resources. It helps reduce the risk to bystanders while officers position themselves to intercept or safely apprehend the suspect. Asking for backup ensures enough personnel to establish and maintain the perimeter, cover different avenues of approach, and handle any obstacles that arise, all in line with department guidelines. Continuing the pursuit only as allowed means proceeding when it can be done without creating undue risk—considering factors like traffic, terrain, weather, and the suspect’s behavior—so safety and policy compliance remain the priority.

Other approaches either expose the public to greater danger or fail to provide a controlled method for locating and stopping the suspect. Abandoning pursuit immediately can allow the suspect to evade capture and potentially harm someone; not establishing a perimeter can let the suspect vanish and increase risk if they reappear elsewhere; chasing through traffic regardless of safety disregards officer and public safety and is typically against pursuit policies.