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.

I never dreamed it would be me

And with heavy heart and bended here knee

I ask for and all the pastDear 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. WINSLOWGreensboro Police Department,

NC. Officer Winslow, 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. ROBINSONGreensboro 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

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 awareness as a driver Evaluate Judgement and decision making

skills Experience consequences of decisions

REVIEW LIABILITY ISSUES

LawsuitsDisciplinary actionMonetary losses and loss due to

injuriesVehicle 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

OverconfidenceSelf-righteousnessImpatiencePre-occupation

INTERSECTION ANALYSIS

Scan intersection for dangerous areasFocus on danger areas as you approachMove your vehicle to the best roadway

position to see dangerSlow or stop as necessary for safetyS.I.P.D.E

INTERSECTIONS AND CROSS TRAFFIC

Look in all directions (left, right, left)Clear intersections lane by lane if necessaryBoth hands on the steering wheelPrima Facie speed limit

– Blind intersection 15 mph– Stop if necessary

COLLISION AVOIDANCEMaintain a high visual horizonMaintain a safe space cushionAnticipate other’s actionsLook through turns before entryConsider steering to the rear of the conflict

vehicleDrive 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 cautionCommunications of immediate nature use radioCollisions while using M.D.T. will usually be

preventable

EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATION

REGULATIONS

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

REGULATIONS CONTINUED

Vehicle code section (G.S. 20-156)

- Drive with due regard for others

- Regardless of RIGHT OF WAYVehicle 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, reactPass on the left when possible and safeIf 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 irreversibleBased on all factors (past, current, future)Type of offenseSpeeds involvedPublic/Officer safetyManeuvering required

EMERGENCY DRIVING CONT.

Traffic volume (pedestrians)Time of dayWeather/road conditionsFamiliarity with the areaUnreasonable dangerCapability of the driver and vehicle

EMERGENCY DRIVING CONT.

EMOTIONAL FACTORSSiren syndrome (physiological)Adrenaline rushTunnel visionNeed for self-controlPost-pursuit discipline

VEHICLE OPERATION TACTICSClose distance before attempting stop

– potential immunity & liability issues– Activation of lights and siren– Vary pitch of siren approaching intersections

Consider backing off if an air unit is presentOffensive tactics (attempt to stop by)

– Boxing in / Heading off– Ramming /Driving alongside– P.I.T. / Road Spikes

OPTIONSRoadblocks

–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

intersectionsOn 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 requestedSpacing of units to ensure safety

–Proper braking distance–Sufficient reaction time/distance–Avoid Tracking & Tunnel Vision

GENERAL PURSUIT CONSIDERATIONS

All persons involved are held accountableBalance need for apprehension vs. risk createdRoll of the supervisor should be well defined and

understoodPrimary and secondary units only, unless additional

authorizedUse of firearms and deadly force limited and policy

issue

Lets go drive

Lets go drive

Lets don’t try any of this !!!