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I have seen and heard of LEO's engaging in foot pursuits while off duty.  One of which happened at our department last year.  The subject shot and killed my fellow brother. I know several foot pursuits happen when your by yourself what I want to know is what tactics do you use to secure yourself during the pursuit?

As my Tact Team leader and FTO said, "Tactics, Tactics, Tactics, but sometimes in this profession it just takes balls", foot pursuits most times are without tactics.

How could you have tactics in the actual foot pursuit , it's such a spontaneous event, you can't plan how somebody is going to flee on foot, some are faster than others, enviroments are different, etc., You can however go over differengt senarios in your head to train yourself, ie., if he does this, I should do this, if he does that I should do this, etc., just my opinion.

I believe adrenaline has a major role in how you act in a pursuit.  Not just what you do during but also the reasons you are chasing in the first place.  Complacency is a killer!  Couple that with adrenaline and most people forget about fear of the unknown and thats when life makes a drastic turn.

There is no trick to foot pursuits you have to be prepared for the worst whether you are on duty or off.

Our job is all about what if's.  In the academy, I was told not to engage in foot pursuits.  But, I was also told that if I was in foot pursuit, there are tactics, such as remaining to the right of the subject while behind them. Most people are right handed and will not turn around and shoot from their right side, they will shoot over their left shoulder.  Foot pursuits are sometimes necessary, so why don't we discuss those tactics.

deputydawg127 says ...

Our job is all about what if's.  In the academy, I was told not to engage in foot pursuits.  But, I was also told that if I was in foot pursuit, there are tactics, such as remaining to the right of the subject while behind them. Most people are right handed and will not turn around and shoot from their right side, they will shoot over their left shoulder.  Foot pursuits are sometimes necessary, so why don't we discuss those tactics.

Good point there!  Also when chasing someone that has turned a corner (building or such) and you temporarily have lost sight of him, slow your approach to that corner and take a wider than normal turn (to quickly clear) in case your perp has suddenly stopped and is waiting for you around that corner!

Its easy to lose your situational awareness in a pursuit, car or foot, and get tunnel vision. In an instant you can be on your face because you missed something in your path or didn't see something moving into your path because you are so focused on the suspect. You are in the open, maybe on their turf, and what you do is always a reaction to something the suspect has already done. Staying to the right is a good one, keeping distance - but still eyes on - so other Officers can get close to back you up is good too. You don't have to win a foot race, you just need to keep close enough to not lose 'em and to bring in the rest of your people to shut him down. The bad guy is going to run as hard as he can at first to get a good lead, they always let off some once they think they've lost you, so you can sometimes keep them in sight without running into an ambush. Making sure everyone knows where you are as the pursuit moves is as key to Officer Safety as catching the bad guy.

Cover, Concealment  and Closure with the supect.

Lulusgt says ...

I agree with that, you would really have to study a wide realm of enviromental factors. Rural vs urban, if buildings what kind of buildings? crack house, school, church, etc.. I wasn't trying to be harsh Robo if it came across that way I apoligize, somebody mentioned adrenaline, that is the main thing that pushes a pursuit, foot or car. Main rule? Be alert, ready to act.

None necessary bro. I did really go into enough of an explaination knowing that the experianced cops here would know what I was talking about. I should have been clearer.

Another point on foot pursuits.  Think of the severity of the crime.  You don't want to blow out a knee or cause a squad car crash/injury for responding units because the guy only had a nickel bag of weed on him.

The MOST dangerous part?  THOSE DAMN CLOTHESLINES!!!!! 

ODIN says ...

As my Tact Team leader and FTO said, "Tactics, Tactics, Tactics, but sometimes in this profession it just takes balls", foot pursuits most times are without tactics.

First friend, i am sorry to learn that your friend was killed.

And i am agree with idée that a foot poursuits are most time without tactics.

I agree with all of the above, plus the fact that most turds can run faster scared than we can mad..

In our dept for some heart attack do to over weight, the rest, tunnel vision....