PURSUING SUSPECTS ON FOOT

[Music] [Music] [Music] 62 checking a subject just approached a female white child in front of Seas Candy Eastland shopping center. When you've spotted suspicious circumstances that you want to look into, as with any field inquiry, it's important to get as close to the subject as you can before he's aware of you. Get in as close as possible with your car without alerting him. But remember, in the car, you'd be at a complete disadvantage if you had to draw a weapon. So, the final approach should be on foot. And whenever you can with a pedestrian suspect, choose a location where escape routes are limited. And you're off. Get word out of the pursuit in any way possible. Call the police department. If there's no time to look around corners, swing wide around. Your man could be lying and wait. and let the suspect run interference for you. Let the other guy fall into the holes or run into clothes lines or other obstacles and traps. Try to follow him practically step for step, but be prepared for the possibilities of the suspect laying down his own minefield. Generally in hot pursuit, your gun belongs in its holster. Too often, a warning shot has resulted in death for uninvolved people or supporting officers. If you lose sight of your man, slow down so you can be alert to possible ambush. Or don't go tearing off in the wrong direction. [Applause] If your man goes down, don't count on us staying that way. Don't let up and give him a second chance. Keep coming on till you've got him nailed. Where he's only a suspect, there's no use pulling your weapon. He may know you can't shoot and you just be tying up one of your hands. Bring other arm behind your back. Okay, get up. Take them back to the car with the minimum force necessary. Nighttime pursuit has its own problems. You might feel the suspect's going to get away if you don't hold your light on them, but at the same time, you can spill on a hazard and really lose them if you don't check your own path. And because there's more chance of ambush at night, when you lose sight of your suspect, get a lot more cautious. FREEZE. FREEZE. HOLD IT. POLICE OFFICER. FREEZE. [Applause] HEY, JOHNNY RAN IN BETWEEN THE BOLT FOG AND THE PICKUP. SHE'LL GO A LITTLE BIT FURTHER. About two cars up. Larry, go on past him. up here. You guys stay there and I'll check along with these false. With other officers available, a quadrant search should be established. Then gradually, carefully and methodically close in. And watch that flashlight. Keep it extended out from your body as much as you can to avoid being an easy target. Moving your light quickly and frequently from the suspect or where you think he may be to what's in front of you is usually the best you can do. But you also have a trailing job to do, so watch for knocked over objects, footprints, maybe blood. But keep closing in. [Music] Okay, John, I'll hold it here by the van. If you guys will come on across and see if you can find him. FREEZE UNDER THE BED. OKAY, come on out. I got him. John, come on out with your hands out. Keep your hands up where we can see them, pal. Keep your hands where we can see them. Turn around and put your hands on that band. Up on the band. Suit on foot. It all adds up to one of the toughest jobs an officer can perform. Let's see how you stack up on some of what we've just gone through. Is this true or false? Whenever you spot suspicious circumstances from your patrol car, you should get as close as you can with your car before approaching a suspect on foot. The answer is false. Try to park the car far enough away to avoid attention of the suspect. The final approach should be on foot. Your only job in pursuit is to keep going till you get your man. True or false? Answer's false. If you can, let other officers in the area know where you are so they can help cut off escape. You don't stop at a blind corner to peer a route. True or false? True. In hot pursuit, swing wide and keep going or your man could be long gone. True or false? You should follow the suspect's path as closely as possible. True. That way, if there's a hazard ahead, chances are the suspect will hit it first. Let him run interference. And if he starts laying down obstacles, then it's a good idea to draw your weapon and fire a warning shot. True or false? The answer is false. Too many innocent bystanders and other officers have been hit by warning shots or attempts to wound the suspect. Keep your eye on the suspect, but keep your revolver in its holster while the chase is on. In night pursuit, keep your flashlight searching for the suspect all the time. True or false? False. You also got to use that light to see where you're going. This is the right way to hold that flashlight. True or false? Two. Keep it extended from your body. It lowers the chance of your being a prime target. Yes, pursuing suspects on foot is a rough, tough job. But done right, chances are when that chase is over, you'll not only get your man, but you'll be there, too, to bring him in. [Music]