PURPOSE

The purpose of a High-Risk Felony Stop procedure is to safely and effectively manage potentially dangerous situations involving suspects who may be armed, have outstanding warrants, or pose a significant threat to public safety.

HIGH RISK FELONY STOP PROCEDURE

A High Risk Felony Stop is conducted when a pursuit ends, or a suspect in the vehicle has outstanding warrants or is believed to be carrying firearms. This is one of the most dangerous stituations for officers, so following protocol is crucial. Officer's primary concerns when initiating a High Risk Stop are as follows:

• Preservation of Life: Protect both officers, the public, and the suspect(s)

• Taking Cover: Ensure you are adequately protected in case of discharge of a firearm

• Crossfire: Be aware of the potential for crossfire with other officers.

Step 1: Request Additional Backup

No officer shall initiate a High Risk Stop as a single vehicle unit. High Risk Stops require a minimum of three (3) units on scene, the only exception is when there is less than four (4) on duty officers at the time of the stop. If this is the case, a High Risk Stop can be conducted with two (2) units. Officers shall refrain from utilizing more than five (5) units during a High Risk stop.

Step 2: Unit Positioning

Positioning for each unit is vital and must be executed perfectly. The primary unit, the initiating cruiser, should be parked behind the suspect roughly 15-20 feet as if conducting a traffic stop.

As additional units arrive on scene, ensure you fulfill the next available role. Proper positioning is crucial to avoid errors by subsequent units.

Vehicles shall utilize a parallel formation where the primary and secondary are parallel to each other. Tertiary and Quaternary units shall be positioned parallel adjacent to each other.

Step 3: Unit Responsibilities and Roles

Once all units arrive on scene and correctly positioned, each unit much fulfill a specific role as in the order of arrival:

• Unit 1: Lead Unit

  • Positioned behind the suspect vehicle, roughly 15-20 feet behind, slightly offset to the left.

  • Officer is considered as Incident Command and only officer giving verbal commands to suspect(s).

  • If Unit 1 is an ADAM unit, the secondary officer shall provide lethal cover toward the passenger side of the suspect vehicle.

  • Officer shall use clear and concise commands to the suspect(s).

• Unit 2: Secondary Left Side Cover

  • Positioned on the left of the lead unit.

  • Primary task is to provide lethal cover toward the driver side of the suspect vehicle.

• Unit 3: Tertiary Cover & Detainment

  • In a three (3) unit formation, Unit 5 is positioned perpendicular to Unit 1 and Unit 2 with the front of the unit facing out towards the road. Preparing the unit to become primary in a vehicle pursuit if applicable. Until the driver of the vehicle has been detained.

  • In a four (4) or more unit formation, Unit 3 is positioned behind the primary unit, slightly offset to the left, filling in any empty space.

  • When the driver of the vehicle is detained and in a three (3) unit formation; Unit 3 will offer detainment of the suspect(s) by moving in the pocket and cuffing the suspect, searching and moving to the back of the predetermined unit.

  • In a four (4) or more unit formation, Unit 3 will provide lethal cover toward the passenger side of the suspect vehicle utilizing Unit 1's passenger side as cover.

  • In the event that Unit 1 and Unit 2 are both an ADAM unit, Unit 3 will offer detainment of the suspect(s) by moving in the pocket and cuffing the suspect, searching and moving to the back of the predetermined unit.

  • In a three (3) unit formation, In the event of a vehicle pursuit, Unit 3 will become primary and pursue the suspect while other units close the scene.

• Unit 4: Quaternary Cover & Detainment

  • Positioned behind the secondary unit, slightly offset to the left, filling in any empty space.

  • In a four (4) unit formation, Unit 4 will offer detainment of the suspect(s) by moving in the pocket and cuffing the suspect, searching and moving to the back of the predetermined unit.

  • In a five (5) unit formation, Unit 4 will provide lethal cover toward the driver side of the suspect vehicle utilizing Unit 2's passenger side as cover.

  • In the event that Unit 1 and Unit 2 are both an ADAM unit, Unit 4 will offer detainment of the suspect(s) by moving in the pocket and cuffing the suspect, searching and moving to the back of the predetermined unit.

  • In a four (4) unit formation, In the event of a vehicle pursuit, Unit 4 will become primary and pursue the suspect while other units close the scene.

• Unit 5: Pursuit Readiness & Detainment

  • In a five (5) unit formation, Unit 5 is positioned perpendicular to Unit 3 and Unit 4 with the front of the unit facing out towards the road. Preparing the unit to become primary in a vehicle pursuit if applicable. Until the driver of the vehicle has been detained.

  • When the driver of the vehicle is detained and in a five (5) unit formation; Unit 5 will offer detainment of the suspect(s) by moving in the pocket and cuffing the suspect, searching and moving to the back of the predetermined unit.

  • In a five (5) unit formation, In the event of a vehicle pursuit, Unit 5 will become primary and pursue the suspect while other units close the scene.

  • Unit 5 shall remain inside cruiser at all times until all suspects are detained. Once all suspects are detained, Unit 5 shall offer traffic control until the scene is closed.

Step 4: Verbal Commands

Verbal Commands is crucial to ensure a safe resolution for officers, suspects and the public. Verbal Commands shall be given by the Primary Unit 1 while outside of the vehicle. Commands shall be as follows:

• "Driver, turn off the vehicle"

• "Driver, take your keys out of the ignition and throw them out of the vehicle"

• "Driver, open the door and exit the vehicle slowly."

• "Driver, keep your hands up and face away from us"

  • If you need to remind the suspect to "look in their eyes" or "look as if you are reading in first person".

• "Driver walk back to the sound of my voice until I tell you stop"

• "Stop! Get on your knees with your hands on your head"

  • If you need to remind the suspect to think about "surrender" or "/e surrender"

  • At this point, the Unit offering detainment will approach the suspect and cuff, search and take the suspect back to the predetermined unit.

• "If there is anyone else in the vehicle, make yourself known now"

  • If there is any passengers repeat the process for each passenger, one passenger at a time.

  • If there are no other passengers, and all passengers are detained, searched and held in each unit you may call the High Risk Stop Code Four.

Step 5:  Detainment and Arrest

Once all passengers of the vehicle are escorted out and away from the suspect vehicle, the unit offering detainment, as described above, will ensure the suspect is handcuffed, searched immediately and placed into a unit. This process will repeat for each remaining suspect. Each suspect shall be placed in the according unit vehicles:

• Driver (Suspect 1): Detained in Unit 1

• Front Passenger (Suspect 2): Detained in Unit 2

• Back Passenger (Suspect 3): Detained in Unit 3

• Back Passenger (Suspect 4): Detained in Unit 4

• Any other suspects shall be placed outside

After all suspects are detained units can call the High Risk Stop Code Four and begin questioning of each suspect individually and continue the investigation.

Original SOP: 12/01/2024
Revised: