Excerpts from Baltimore Police Department General Order No. 11-90
POLICY
Members of this Department shall operate departmental vehicles
with utmost care and caution, comply with all traffic laws and
SHALL NOT BECOME ENGAGED IN HIGH–SPEED PURSUIT DRIVING,
except under EXIGENT circumstances. Exigent circumstances consist
of:
Instances where the officer determines that immediate action is
necessary; and
Insufficient time exists to resort to other alternatives; and
Failure to pursue may result in grave injury or death.
The Department recognizes it is better to allow a criminal to
temporarily escape apprehension than to jeopardize the safety
of citizens and its officers in a high speed pursuit.
GENERAL
The City of Baltimore
is a highly congested urban area which necessitates driving a
motor vehicles in a safe manner. In order for a departmental vehicle
to be considered operating in an EMERGENCY MODE, BOTH ROOF MOUNTED
EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND ELECTRIC SIREN MUST BE ACTIVATED. . . .
RESPONSIBILITIES
* * *
4. When assigned as Primary and Secondary Units for dispatched
calls and responding in an emergency mode:
a. SLOW DOWN AT ALL INTERSECTIONS, ensure the intersection is
safe to enter and then proceed cautiously.
b. When crossing against any traffic control device, BRING YOUR
VEHICLE TO A FULL STOP and ensure the intersection is safe to
enter before proceeding.
c. Ensure that your VEHICLE SPEED IS BOTH SAFE AND REASONABLE
under the prevailing roadway and environmental conditions.
* * *
COMMUNICATION OF DIRECTIVE
Commanding officers and supervisors shall communicate the contents
of this directive to their subordinates and ensure compliance.
This directive is effective on the date of publication.
