July 3, 2025
OPO Policy Recommendation: 214 Vehicle Pursuits
This memorandum provides feedback and recommendations for improving the Austin Police Department’s (APD) General Order (GO) 214: Vehicle Pursuits. The policy analysis and subsequent recommendations examined the use of low-speed interventions (LSI) as a vehicle pursuit tactic and its classification as a Level 2 Response to Resistance within the Austin Police Department (APD).
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P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 I TTY: 711 I FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
TO:
Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police Department
FROM:
Director Gail McCant, Office of Police Oversight
DATE:
Thursday, July 3, 2025
SUBJECT:
OPO Policy Recommendation: 214 VEHICLE PURSUITS
Dear Chief Davis:
This memorandum provides feedback and recommendations for improving the Austin Police
Department's (APD) General Order (GO) 214 VEHICLE PURSUITS.
The specific policies reviewed in this memorandum are as follows:
214.6.4 LOW SPEED INTERVENTION
The policy analysis and subsequent recommendations examined the use of low-speed
interventions (LSI) as a vehicle pursuit tactic and its classification as a Level 2 Response to
Resistance within the Austin Police Department (APD). LSIs, like any other use of force tactic,
must be evaluated for safety and alignment with modern policing standards. The purpose of
these recommendations is to identify any opportunities for improvement to APD's policies and
practices regarding LSIs. Since LSIs are considered a use of force, they require clear guidance and
consistent application to ensure they are used responsibly, effectively, and transparently.
The OPO believes this APD policy can be improved and will benefit the City of Austin, APD, and
community members. The OPO is committed to improving APD's policies to increase
transparency, accountability, and public trust in law enforcement.
Sincerely,
OUNDED
6339
Dail
Gail McCant
Director
Office of Police Oversight
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to
communications will be provided upon request.
1
CTTA OF AUSTIN
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 I TTY: 711 FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
214 VEHICLE PURSUITS
Recommendation #1:
OPO recommends that APD define "Low Speed Intervention."
LSI (Low Speed Intervention) is currently the only pursuit tactic not defined under General
Order (GO) 214.2 DEFINITIONS. To ensure consistency in the classification and understanding
of all pursuit tactics and interventions, the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) recommends that
APD include a clear definition of LSI in GO 214.2. Additionally, OPO recommends that APD
explicitly define the term "low speed," particularly as it relates to executing the intervention
safely. The absence of a clear definition may lead to inconsistent interpretations among officers,
increasing the risk of policy violations and unintended outcomes.
Recommendation #2:
OPO recommends that the APD require officers to receive appropriate training before
executing LSIs.
The current version of GO 214.6.4 does not address the training requirements for the use and
application of LSIs. Given that other vehicle pursuit tactics, such as PIT (Precision
Immobilization Technique), require specific training standards, LSIs should also require training
standards to align with APD policy and law enforcement best practices. Ensuring officers are
adequately trained enhances safety, accountability, and the effective execution of these
interventions.
Recommendation #3:
6339
OPO recommends APD modify GO 214.6.4 to include Code 3 as a requirement for
executing LSIs.
Absent an explanation for why LSI tactics should be uniquely exempt from Code 3 requirements,
APD should adhere to its current policy of requiring Code 3 in all vehicle pursuit cases,
including LSIs, as outlined in 214.4.
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to
communications will be provided upon request.
2
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 I TTY: 711 I FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
TO:
Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police Department
FROM:
Director Gail McCant, Office of Police Oversight
DATE:
Thursday, July 3, 2025
SUBJECT:
OPO Policy Recommendation: 214 VEHICLE PURSUITS
Dear Chief Davis:
This memorandum provides feedback and recommendations for improving the Austin Police
Department's (APD) General Order (GO) 214 VEHICLE PURSUITS.
The specific policies reviewed in this memorandum are as follows:
214.6.4 LOW SPEED INTERVENTION
The policy analysis and subsequent recommendations examined the use of low-speed
interventions (LSI) as a vehicle pursuit tactic and its classification as a Level 2 Response to
Resistance within the Austin Police Department (APD). LSIs, like any other use of force tactic,
must be evaluated for safety and alignment with modern policing standards. The purpose of
these recommendations is to identify any opportunities for improvement to APD's policies and
practices regarding LSIs. Since LSIs are considered a use of force, they require clear guidance and
consistent application to ensure they are used responsibly, effectively, and transparently.
The OPO believes this APD policy can be improved and will benefit the City of Austin, APD, and
community members. The OPO is committed to improving APD's policies to increase
transparency, accountability, and public trust in law enforcement.
Sincerely,
OUNDED
6339
Dail
Gail McCant
Director
Office of Police Oversight
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to
communications will be provided upon request.
1
CTTA OF AUSTIN
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 I TTY: 711 FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
214 VEHICLE PURSUITS
Recommendation #1:
OPO recommends that APD define "Low Speed Intervention."
LSI (Low Speed Intervention) is currently the only pursuit tactic not defined under General
Order (GO) 214.2 DEFINITIONS. To ensure consistency in the classification and understanding
of all pursuit tactics and interventions, the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) recommends that
APD include a clear definition of LSI in GO 214.2. Additionally, OPO recommends that APD
explicitly define the term "low speed," particularly as it relates to executing the intervention
safely. The absence of a clear definition may lead to inconsistent interpretations among officers,
increasing the risk of policy violations and unintended outcomes.
Recommendation #2:
OPO recommends that the APD require officers to receive appropriate training before
executing LSIs.
The current version of GO 214.6.4 does not address the training requirements for the use and
application of LSIs. Given that other vehicle pursuit tactics, such as PIT (Precision
Immobilization Technique), require specific training standards, LSIs should also require training
standards to align with APD policy and law enforcement best practices. Ensuring officers are
adequately trained enhances safety, accountability, and the effective execution of these
interventions.
Recommendation #3:
6339
OPO recommends APD modify GO 214.6.4 to include Code 3 as a requirement for
executing LSIs.
Absent an explanation for why LSI tactics should be uniquely exempt from Code 3 requirements,
APD should adhere to its current policy of requiring Code 3 in all vehicle pursuit cases,
including LSIs, as outlined in 214.4.
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to
communications will be provided upon request.
2