22' Professional Police Driving 32 hrs'

1
22. Professional Police Driving (32 hrs.)

• TCLEOSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• 07/30/04

2
Objectives

• Unit Goal 22.1. The student will acquire an
  understanding of an officer's legal obligations
  and liabilities when operating a vehicle.
• 22.1.1. Define "authorized emergency vehicle"
  and identify the following situations in which
  the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle is
  exempt from certain provisions of the
  Transportation Code (TC).
• 22.1.2. Identify the exemption requirement
  regarding the use of red light and siren.
• 22.1.3. Identify that an officer operating a law
  enforcement vehicle under non-emergency
  conditions is subject to the same rules of the
  road as any other driver.
• 22.1.4. Identify the conditions under which an
  officer or law enforcement agency may be held
  liable for deaths, injuries, or incidents of
  property damage that occur while in an emergency
  vehicle being operated under emergency
  conditions.
• 22.1.5. Identify the issues that are usually
  addressed by a law enforcement agency's pursuit
  policy.
• 22.1.6. Identify the effectiveness and
  limitations of emergency equipment and vehicle
  equipment.

3
Objectives

• Unit Goal 22.2. The student will be able to
  identify the essential elements in conducting a
  pre-shift safety inspection.
• 22.2.1. Identify the three basic objectives of a
  pre-shift vehicle safety inspection.
• 22.2.2. Identify the components of a pre-shift
  vehicle inspection.
• 22.2.3. Identify the techniques of proper
  vehicle operation.
• 22.2.4. Identify the proper steering techniques
  for various aspects of vehicle operation.

4
Objectives

• Unit Goal 22.3. The student will acquire an
  understanding of the importance of the defensive
  driving components necessary to safely operate a
  law enforcement vehicle.
• 22.3.1. Identify the following components of
  defensive driving.
• 22.3.2. Identify the factors which may
  contribute to traffic collisions.
• 22.3.3. Identify the following driving movements
  or activities most frequently contributing to law
  enforcement collisions.
• 22.3.4. Identify the reasons why fatigue is a
  physiological condition which poses a threat to
  safe driving.
• 22.3.5. Identify the advantages of using seat
  (safety) belts when driving a vehicle.

5
Objectives

• Unit Goal 22.4. The student will acquire an
  understanding of the basic safety factors
  involved in vehicle operation.
• 22.4.1 Identify the traffic conditions that
  affect safe vehicle operation.
• 22.4.2. Identify the conditions which influence
  the overall stopping distance of a vehicle.
• 22.4.3. Identify the effects of speed upon a
  turning vehicle.
• 22.4.4. Identify, in the proper sequence, the
  components that make up total stopping distance.
• Unit Goal 22.5. The student will develop
  proficiency and demonstrate his ability to
  control a vehicle under acceleration,
  maneuvering, and braking conditions.
• 22.5.1. Demonstrate proper road position, weight
  transfer control, throttle control, braking and
  steering accuracy (both forward and backward),
  while performing a series of driving exercises.
• 22.5.2. Demonstrate the ability to rapidly
  displace the vehicle, left or right, or stop upon
  command on a marked course.
• 22.5.3. Demonstrate the proper techniques for
  efficient braking when coming to a complete stop,
  prior to a turning movement, and in an emergency.
• 22.5.4. Demonstrate the ability to regain
  control of a vehicle experiencing a front skid.
• 22.5.5. Demonstrate an ability to safely control
  a vehicle while operating under emergency
  conditions applying proper driving techniques
  and avoiding potentially hazardous situations
  such as road obstacles, cross traffic, road dips,
  and other obstacles.

6
Unit Goal 22.1. The student will acquire an
understanding of an officer's legal obligations
and liabilities when operating a vehicle.
7
22.1.1. Define "authorized emergency vehicle" and
identify the following situations in which the
driver of an authorized emergency vehicle is
exempt from certain provisions of the
Transportation Code (TC).
8
Authorized Emergency Vehicle TC 541.201
9
Operation of A. E. V. and Certain Other Vehicles
TC Chapter 546
10
Permissible conduct TC 546.001
11
When conduct permissible TC 546.002
12
This is not a pursuit course.
13
Any course meeting the objectives noted herein is
acceptable. It is recommended that instructors
have advanced training in vehicle operations.
14
Review agency policy.
15
Simulators may be used to enhance skills.
However, actual hands-on training must be done
using sedan vehicles of similar type, power, and
handling characteristics as are commonly used in
the agency or region for law enforcement purposes.
16
22.1.2. Identify the exemption requirement
regarding the use of red light and siren.
17
Red light and siren references
18
Audible or visual signals required TC 546.003
19
Exceptions to signal required TC 546.004
20
22.1.3. Identify that an officer operating a law
enforcement vehicle under non-emergency
conditions is subject to the same "rules of the
road" as any other driver.
21
Rules of the Road references
22
General Provisions Chapter 542
23
Government vehicles 542.002
24
Note Failure to Train is a liability issue of
concern in vehicle operations training at the
agency level.
25
22.1.4. Identify the conditions under which an
officer or law enforcement agency may be held
liable for deaths, injury, or property damage
which occur while in an emergency vehicle being
operated under emergency conditions.
26
Liability situations
27
Failure to drive with due regard for the safety
of others.
28
An agency when it has not adopted a written
policy on police pursuits.
29
A negligent or wrongful act or omission by an
employee of the entity.
30
When not in immediate pursuit of actual or
suspected violator or responding to a bonafide
emergency.
31
Duty of care TC 546.005
32
Dent v. City of Dallas, 729 SW 2d 114,
33
Travis v. Mesquite, 830 SW 2d 94, (1992)  
34
Review agency policy.
35
22.1.5. Identify the issues which are usually
addressed by a law enforcement agency's pursuit
policy.
36
Issues usually addressed by pursuit policy
37
The Conditions under which a pursuit may be
initiated and when it should be terminated.
38
The manner in which emergency equipment (light
and siren) should be used.
39
Pursuit procedures.
40
22.1.6. Identify the effectiveness and
limitations of emergency equipment and vehicle
equipment.
41
Equipment effectiveness and limitations
42
Headlights reduce visibility of emergency lights.
43
Surrounding environmental conditions reduce
effectiveness of lights.
44
As speed of vehicle increases, effectiveness of
audible warning devices decreases.
45
Audible devices are less effective in heavy
traffic.
46
Distractions inside motorist's vehicle reduce
effectiveness of sirens.
47
High density urban/business structures cause
siren sound deflection.
48
Unit Goal 22.2. The student will be able to
identify the essential elements in conducting a
pre-shift safety inspection.
49
22.2.1. Identify the three basic objectives of a
pre-shift vehicle safety inspection.
50
The three basic objectives of a pre-shift vehicle
safety inspection
51
Prevent traffic collisions due to faulty
equipment.
52
Maintain operational efficiency of the vehicle.
53
Provide a sense of confidence in the vehicle.
54
22.2.2. Identify the components of a pre-shift
vehicle inspection.
55
Components of a pre-shift vehicle inspection
56
Mechanical check
57
Interior check
58
Exterior check
59
Required inventory
60
22.2.3. Identify the techniques of proper vehicle
operation.
61
Vehicle operation techniques
62
Seat adjustment
63
Mirror adjustment
64
Foot placement
65
Hand placement
66
22.2.4. Identify the proper steering techniques
for various aspects of vehicle operation.
67
Vehicle steering techniques
68
Hand positioning
69
Shuffle steering
70
Evasive steering
71
Counter steering
72
Unavoidable collisions
73
Unit Goal 22.3. The student will acquire an
understanding of the importance of the defensive
driving components necessary to safely operate a
law enforcement vehicle.
74
22.3.1. Identify the following components of
"defensive driving".
75
Defensive driving components
76
Driver attitude
77
Driver skill
78
Vehicle capability
79
Driving conditions
80
22.3.2. Identify the factors which may contribute
to traffic collisions.
81
Factors contributing to traffic collisions
82
Over-confidence
83
Self-righteousness
84
Impatience
85
Preoccupation
86
Peer pressure
87
22.3.3. Identify the following driving movements
or activities most frequently contributing to law
enforcement collisions.
88
Most frequent factors contributing to law
enforcement collisions
89
Unsafe speed for conditions
90
Right-of-way violations
91
Left-hand turns
92
Backing
93
Parking
94
22.3.4. Identify the reasons why "fatigue" is a
physiological condition which poses a threat to
safe driving.
95
Fatigue poses a threat to safe driving because it
96
Fatigue lowers visual efficiency
97
Fatigue causes longer perception time
98
Fatigue causes longer decision/reaction time
99
22.3.5. Identify the advantages of using seat
(safety) belts when driving a vehicle.
100
Advantages of using seat belts
101
Reduced chance of injury or death if involved in
a collision
102
Better vehicle control
103
Compliance with applicable statutes and/or policy
104
Proper placement of lap belts and head rests
105
Unit Goal 22.4. The student will acquire an
understanding of the basic safety factors
involved in vehicle operation.
106
22.4.1. Identify the traffic conditions that
affect safe vehicle operation.
107
Safe vehicle operation factors
108
Traffic density
109
Speed of vehicles
110
Type of vehicles
111
Pedestrians
112
Animals
113
22.4.2. Identify the conditions which influence
the overall "stopping distance" of a vehicle.
114
Stopping-distance factors
115
Driver
116
Vehicle
117
Road
118
Weather
119
Speed
120
22.4.3. Identify the effects of speed upon a
turning vehicle.
121
Speed affects turning because
122
Turning radius increases as speed increases and
decreases as speed is reduced.
123
Traction limits may be exceeded as speed
increases.
124
Weight transfer increases as speed increases.
125
22.4.4. Identify, in the proper sequence, the
components that make up total stopping distance.
126
Stopping distance components (in order)
127
Perception of danger
128
Decision/reaction
129
Braking
130
Unit Goal 22.5. The student will develop
proficiency and demonstrate his ability to
control a vehicle under acceleration,
maneuvering, and braking conditions.
131
22.5.1. Demonstrate proper road position, weight
transfer control, throttle control, braking and
steering accuracy (both forward and backward),
while performing a series of driving exercises.
132
22.5.2. Demonstrate the ability to rapidly
displace the vehicle, left or right, or stop upon
command on a marked course.
133
22.5.3. Demonstrate the proper techniques for
efficient braking when coming to a complete stop,
prior to a turning movement, and in an emergency.
134
22.5.4. Demonstrate the ability to regain control
of a vehicle experiencing a front skid.
135
22.5.5. Demonstrate an ability to safely control
a vehicle while operating under emergency
conditions applying proper driving techniques
and avoiding potentially hazardous situations
such as road obstacles, cross traffic, road dips,
and other obstacles.
136
This course of instruction is not designed to
address the special issues of skills relative to
pursuit driving. The speed at which the exercises
are executed will be determined by the agency
conducting this block of instruction.
137
Sufficient obstruction-free space should be
utilized to prevent accidents and facilitate
layout of exercises. Where obstacles are
encountered, consideration should be given to the
course layout so as to reduce the likelihood of
collision.
138
County of Sacramento Et Al. v. Lewis, 523 U.S.
833 (1998)

• U.S. Supreme Court

139
Brower v. Inyo County , 489 U.S. 593 (1989)

• U.S. Supreme Court

140
Radecki v. Barela, 146 f.3d 1227 (10th Cir.
1998)

• U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals

141
Bublitz v. Marion County Indiana, No. 02-3400
(7th Cir. 2003)
142
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he
stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but
where he stands at times of challenge and
controversy."-- Martin Luther King Jr.