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The first known line-of-duty death occurred in 1791, when New York’s Constable Darius Quimby was shot and killed. Since then, over 18,200 officers have died while performing their duties. New York City has lost more officers than any other department, with more than 600 deaths. The state with the highest number of police deaths is California, with more than 1,400. Vermont has the fewest deaths, with 21.
OFFICERS KILLED IN TRAFFIC CRASHES
I never dreamed it would be me And with heavy heart and bended here knee I ask for and all the past Dear God, let my name be the last
OFFICER ANDREW C. CALHOUN Greensboro Police Dept., NC. Motorcycle Officer Andrew C. Calhoun, 28, was involved in a crash while pursuing a speeding vehicle and died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision. • E.O.W. 05-29-1921
OFFICER JOSEPH G. COOPER Greensboro Police Dept., NC. Officer Cooper, 23, sustained injuries from a crash while assisting other patrol units in a vehicle chase. While in the hospital, Officer Cooper developed pneumonia and died. E.O.W. 08-23-1970
OFFICER MICHAEL G. WINSLOW Greensboro Police Department, NC. OfficerWinslow, 21, was killed on in an automobile accident while responding to assist a fellow officer. Officer Winslow was traveling on Interstate 40 when a vehicle traveling in front of him caused him to swerve. In an attempt to avoid a collision, Officer Winslow lost control of his vehicle. His vehicle struck a concrete bridge support in the median, killing him instantly. E.O.W. 06-27-1978
OFFICER PORTER L. ROBINSON Greensboro Police Dept., NC. Officer Robinson, 24, died during a vehicular pursuit of a stolen car. During the chase, the suspect vehicle failed to negotiate a sharp curve. It crossed over the median into the opposite lanes of traffic before colliding with a guardrail. Officer Robinson's vehicle also left the roadway. He was killed when his car crashed head-on into a tree located in the median. E.O.W. 11-24-1992
Trooper William Bryant Davis North Carolina Highway Patrol • Trooper Davis, 47 was killed when he lost control of his cruiser while responding to a felony traffic stop. As Trooper Davis rounded a curve, his cruiser slid into a pickup truck and then into a tree. The suspect in the felony traffic stop was arrested later in the day. Trooper Davis had been in law enforcement for 27 years. • E.O.W. 10-21-1999
Trooper David Harold Dees North Carolina Highway Patrol • Trooper Dees, 31 was killed in a traffic accident as he was attempting an enforcement action and lost control of his unmarked vehicle, which over-turned. His patrol car was found with the emergency lights activated but he had made no radio contact with dispatch before the accident. Trooper Dees had been with the agency for four years and is survived by his wife, two sons and daughter. • E.O.W. 04-04-1999
Trooper Calvin E. Taylor • North Carolina Highway Patrol • Trooper Taylor, 41 was killed when his patrol vehicle was struck by a tractor-trailer while on the shoulder of I-40 in Haywood County. The truck was traveling 15-mph over the posted speed limit. The driver of the truck was sentenced to community service for reckless endangerment. E.O.W. 10-03-2001
Trooper John H. Duncan • North Carolina Highway Patrol • During a vehicle pursuit, Trooper Duncan, 28 lost control of his cruiser, crossed the center lane, and struck a group of trees. On impact the cruiser caught fire and exploded. Trooper Duncan had been with the Patrol for two years and is survived by his wife and three young children. • E.O.W. 01-09-2001
Trooper William J. Starling North Carolina Highway Patrol • Master Trooper Starling, 35 was killed in a single car accident on a rural road in Wilkes County. It is speculated that Trooper Starling was initiating a traffic strop because his vehicle had it's wigwag lights activated. Trooper Starling lost control of the vehicle upon entering a sharp left turn, at which point it overturned and ran down a ten-foot embankment. • He is survived by his fiancée, daughter, and two sons. • E.O.W. 07-20-1998
Deputy Richard Allen Hillard Rowan County Sheriff's Office, NC.Deputy Hillard, 46 was killed when his cruiser struck a tree while in a pursuit of a motorcycle. He was on a winding road when his cruiser slid sideways and struck the tree. Deputy Hillard's shift supervisor radioed to him to end the chase, but the crash happened moments earlier. Deputy Hillard had been with the agency for six years, and had been in law enforcement for 21 years. He is survived by his wife and two children. • E.O.W. 10-17-1999
What Can We Do? Training
STUDENTS WILL RETAIN • 10% OF WHAT THEY HEAR • 30% OF WHAT THEY READ • 50% OF WHAT THEY SEE • 90% OF WHAT THEY DO YOU WILL HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR KNOWLEDGE REGARDING STATE LAWS, POLICY AND DEFENSIVE DRIVING TACTICS
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY • Create a positive attitude toward vehicle operation • Increase officer survival and public safety • Increase awarenessas a driver • Evaluate Judgementand decision making skills • Experience consequences of decisions
REVIEW LIABILITY ISSUES • Lawsuits • Disciplinary action • Monetary losses and loss due to injuries • Vehicle and equipment loss
DEFENSIVE DRIVING Drive to stay alive • The Defensive Driver - Maintains a professional attitude - Demonstrates good judgment and decision making skills - Recognizes hazards - Reacts properly to hazards - Avoids collisions regardless of right of way
Driving to stay alive RECOGNIZING DANGEROUS ATTITUDES • Overconfidence • Self-righteousness • Impatience • Pre-occupation
INTERSECTION ANALYSIS • Scan intersection for dangerous areas • Focus on danger areas as you approach • Move your vehicle to the best roadway position to see danger • Slow or stop as necessary for safety • S.I.P.D.E
EARCH DENTIFY SIPDE REDICT ECIDE XECUTE
INTERSECTIONSAND CROSS TRAFFIC • Look in all directions (left, right, left) • Clear intersections lane by lane if necessary • Both hands on the steering wheel • Prima Facie speed limit • Blind intersection 15 mph • Stop if necessary
COLLISION AVOIDANCE • Maintain a high visual horizon • Maintain a safe space cushion • Anticipate other’s actions • Look through turns before entry • Consider steering to the rear of the conflict vehicle • Drive around the problem
SAFE DRIVING TACTICS • Activation of lights and siren • Close distance before activation if possible • Vary siren pitch approaching intersections • Radio use while driving • Use while driving in a straight line • Stay calm and speak clearly • Provides recorded documentation of activities
M.D.T. (computer terminal) • Refrain from using any equipment while driving that requires taking eyes from road • If required, use extreme caution • Communications of immediate nature use radio • Collisions while using M.D.T. will usually be preventable
Vehicle code section (N.C.G.S. 20-168) • Normal driving (Non Emergency) • Obey all “rules of the road” • Violation of “rules of the road” when not B/L & Siren may present liability problems if in a collision
VEHICLE CODE SECTION (N.C.G.S. 20-156) Provides exemption from “rules of the road” “RIGHT OF WAY” • Proper lighting • Proper audio signal (siren) • Conditions that allow for a emergency response IRE MERGENCY FERP ESCUE URSUIT
REGULATIONS CONTINUED • Vehicle code section (G.S. 20-156) - Drive with due regard for others - Regardless of RIGHT OF WAY • Vehicle code section (G.S. 20-157) - Other motorists duty to yield - Knowledge of approach - See emergency light and hear siren
PASSING OTHER VEHICLES (Emergency Traffic) • 20-157 requires motorists to pull to right and stop for emergency vehicles operating b/l siren. • Allow motorists time to hear, see, react • Pass on the left when possible and safe • If you must pass on the right, slow down to allow yourself time to react
EMERGENCY DRIVING POLICY AND PROCEDURES LEGAL PROVISIONS • State law • Agency policy • Case Law
EMERGENCY DRIVING INITIATION/TERMINATION OF PURSUITS • Decision to pursue is not irreversible • Based on all factors (past, current, future) • Type of offense • Speeds involved • Public/Officer safety • Maneuvering required
EMERGENCY DRIVING CONT. • Traffic volume (pedestrians) • Time of day • Weather/road conditions • Familiarity with the area • Unreasonable danger • Capability of the driver and vehicle
EMERGENCY DRIVING CONT. EMOTIONAL FACTORS • Siren syndrome (physiological) • Adrenaline rush • Tunnel vision • Need for self-control • Post-pursuit discipline
VEHICLE OPERATION TACTICS • Close distance before attempting stop • potentialimmunity & liability issues • Activation of lights and siren • Vary pitch of siren approaching intersections • Consider backing off if an air unit is present • Offensive tactics (attempt to stop by) • Boxing in / Heading off • Ramming /Driving alongside • P.I.T. / Road Spikes
OPTIONS • Roadblocks • Last resort • Generally ineffective • Road Spikes • Time and availability of equipment • Controlled direction of travel • Potential danger to pursuing units
BLOCKING PUBLIC ACCESS • Intersections • No guarantee of safety through intersections • On and Off ramps • For public and officer safety • Coordination/communication between units
PURSUITS ARE FOLLOWING ACTIONS • No caravanning or paralleling by non-involved units • No passing unless requested • Spacing of units to ensure safety • Proper braking distance • Sufficient reaction time/distance • Avoid Tracking & Tunnel Vision
GENERAL PURSUIT CONSIDERATIONS • All persons involved are held accountable • Balance need for apprehension vs. risk created • Roll of the supervisor should be well defined and understood • Primary and secondary units only, unless additional authorized • Use of firearms and deadly force limited and policy issue
