Driver Training

Performance Outcome 8.1.

Identify factors to consider when engaging in pursuit driving or emergency response driving.

Training Objectives Related to 8.1.

1. Given a written exercise, identify factors to consider when engaging in pursuit driving or emergency response driving.

Criteria: The trainee shall be tested on the following:

8.1.1. Identify five factors to be considered when making a decision to initiate a pursuit.

8.1.2. Identify five common hazards associated with pursuit or emergency response driving in a congested area or on an open road.

8.1.3. Identify factors that impact terminating a vehicle pursuit.

8.1.4. Identify legal considerations for emergency response driving.

8.1.4.1. Code of Virginia

8.1.4.2. Case law

8.1.4.3. Department policy (department training)

Lesson Plan Guide: The lesson plan shall include the following:

1. Factors to be considered when making a decision to initiate a pursuit:

a. Priorities for the seriousness of the violation

b. Congested area

c. Open road

d. Environmental conditions

e. Speed of other vehicles

2. Common hazards associated with pursuit or emergency response driving in a congested area or on an open road:

a. Children

b. Walkers

c. Skateboarders

d. In-line skaters

e. Bicyclists

f. Cars

g. Buses

h. Mopeds

i. Trains

j. Hazards of proceeding through intersections

3. Factors that impact terminating a vehicle pursuit

4. Legal considerations for emergency response driving

a. Code of Virginia

b. Case law

c. Department policy (department training)

Performance Outcome 8.2.

Recover from high speed response driving and pursuit driving off road at various speeds.

Training Objectives Related to 8.2.

1. Identify and/or demonstrate the techniques for recovery from high speed response driving and pursuit driving off road at various speeds during a written or practical exercise.

Criteria: The trainee shall be tested on the following:

8.2.1. The techniques in correct order for recovery for two wheels off road to four wheels on road.

8.2.2. The techniques for four wheels off road to four wheels on road.

8.2.3. The areas of reduced traction.

Lesson Plan Guide: The lesson plan shall include the following:

1. The techniques in correct order for recovery for two wheels off road to four wheels on road.

2. The techniques for four wheels off road to four wheels on road.

3. The areas of reduced traction.

Performance Outcome 8.3.

Demonstrate the techniques of pursuit driving and emergency response driving on an open road.

Training Objectives Related to 8.3.

1. Given a written exercise, identify the factors to consider for pursuit and response driving on an open road.

2. Given a practical exercise, demonstrate proper techniques used during various driving.

Criteria: The trainee shall be tested on the following:

Written exercise:

8.3.1. “Due regard for safety”

8.3.2. The psychological factors that affect the driver in high speed response driving

8.3.2.1. Stress involved with lengthy high speed pursuit

8.3.2.2. Managing lengthy high speed chases

8.3.3. The physiological factors that affect the driver in high speed driving of a law enforcement vehicle (effect of speed on observation and perception)

8.3.4. The Code of Virginia statutes pertaining to the operation of an emergency vehicle

8.3.5. The Code of Virginia statutes pertaining to emergency equipment and other permissible lights

8.3.6. The effect of the laws of nature on a vehicle

8.3.7. The importance of traction and the effect the tires have on maintaining proper traction

8.3.8. The relevance of converting miles per hour (mph) into feet per second (ft./sec.)

8.3.9. The effect that speed has on the kinetic energy produced by a vehicle

8.3.10. The vehicle dynamics and changes in weight transfer of a vehicle in high speed driving

8.3.11. The legal aspects (civil liability) and use of force considerations of vehicle operations especially in emergency operations of a vehicle

Practical exercise:

8.3.12. Steering techniques

8.3.13. Braking techniques (with or without ABS)

8.3.14. Cornering techniques

8.3.15. Emergency equipment usage

Lesson Plan Guide: The lesson plan shall include the following:

1. The techniques of pursuit and response driving on an open road:

a. “Due regard for safety”

b. The psychological factors that affect the driver in high speed response driving

1. Stress involved with lengthy high speed pursuit

2. Managing lengthy high speed chases

c. The physiological factors that affect the driver in high speed driving of a law enforcement vehicle (effect of speed on observation and perception)

d. The Code of Virginia statutes pertaining to the operation of an emergency vehicle

e. The Code of Virginia statutes pertaining to emergency equipment and other permissible lights

Note: Emergency vehicles and their operators are not exempt from stopping for stopped school buses.

f. The effect of the laws of nature on a vehicle

g. The importance of traction and the effect the tires have on maintaining proper traction

h. The relevance of converting miles per hour (mph) into feet per second (ft./sec.)

i. The effect that speed has on the kinetic energy produced by a vehicle

j. The vehicle dynamics and changes in weight transfer of a vehicle in high speed driving

k. The legal aspects (civil liability) and use of force considerations of vehicle operations especially in emergency operations of a vehicle

2. Demonstrate proper techniques used during various driving

a. Steering techniques

b. Braking techniques (with or without ABS)

c. Cornering techniques

d. Emergency equipment usage

Performance Outcome 8.4.

Control vehicle on various road surfaces and conditions.

Training Objectives Related to 8.4.

1. Given a written or practical exercise, identify or demonstrate methods of control of a patrol vehicle while driving on wet, icy, snow covered pavement, dirt or loose gravel road, or skidpan.

Criteria: The trainee shall be tested on the following:

8.4.1. Skid control techniques

8.4.2. Braking control techniques

8.4.3. Steering control techniques

Lesson Plan Guide: The lesson plan shall include the following:

1. Skid control techniques

2. Braking control techniques

3. Steering control techniques

Performance Outcome 8.5.

Operate a patrol vehicle

Training Objectives Related to 8.5.

1. Given a written exercise, identify factors to consider related to the operation of a patrol vehicle.

2. Given a practical exercise, demonstrate operation of a patrol vehicle.

Criteria: The trainee shall be tested on the following:

Given a written exercise:

8.5.1. Identify the three components of defensive driving and their effect on vehicle accidents.

8.5.1.1. Driver

8.5.1.2. Vehicle

8.5.1.3. Environment

8.5.2. Identify the five steps of defensive driving

8.5.2.1. Scan

8.5.2.2. Identify

8.5.2.3. Predict

8.5.2.4. Decide

8.5.2.5. Execute

8.5.3. Identify driving movements which most frequently contribute to vehicle accidents.

8.5.4. Identify factors that contribute to the effective use of a police radio.

8.5.5. Identify the importance of seat belts, air bags, and other vehicle safety devices.

8.5.6. Identify the different characteristics of night driving to daytime driving and how the human eye is affected.

8.5.7. Identify factors that influence the overall stopping distance of a vehicle.

8.5.8. Identify the effect speed on observation and perception during patrol.

8.5.9. Identify causes and steps to correct skids.

8.5.10. Identify liability issues related to operating a patrol vehicle.

Given a practical exercise:

8.5.11. Demonstrate a physical and visual inspection of a law enforcement vehicle.

8.5.12. Demonstrate the proper usage of a safety belt in the operation of law enforcement vehicle.

8.5.13. Demonstrate the proper techniques of acceptable steering methods.

8.5.13.1. Hand position on the steering wheel

8.5.13.2. Shuffle steering

8.5.14. Demonstrate the proper techniques in braking (with or without ABS)

8.5.14.1. Heat/cool

8.5.14.2. Threshold

8.5.14.3. Anti-lock braking systems

8.5.15. Demonstrate the proper techniques in backing a vehicle.

8.5.16. Demonstrate control a vehicle using acceptable techniques in the following vehicle movements:

8.5.16.1. Parking

8.5.16.2. “Y” turn

8.5.16.3. Backing

8.5.17. Operate a law enforcement vehicle in night conditions.

Lesson Plan Guide: The lesson plan shall include the following:

1. The components of a physical and visual inspection of a law enforcement vehicle

2. The three components of defensive driving and their effect on vehicle accidents.

a. Driver

b. Vehicle

c. Environment

3. The five steps of defensive driving

a. Scan

b. Identify

c. Predict

d. Decide

e. Execute

4. Driving movements which most frequently contribute to vehicle accidents

5. Factors that contribute to the effective use of a police radio

6. The importance of seat belts, air bags, and other vehicle safety devices

7. The different characteristics of night driving to daytime driving and how the human eye is affected

8. Factors that influence the overall stopping distance of a vehicle

9. The effect speed on observation and perception during patrol

10. Causes and steps to correct skids

11. Liability issues related to operating a patrol vehicle

            Practice:

            a. Demonstration of a physical and visual inspection of a law enforcement vehicle

            b. Demonstration of the proper usage of a safety belt in the operation of law enforcement vehicle

            c. Demonstration of the proper techniques of acceptable steering methods

1.  Hand position on the steering wheel

2.  Shuffle steering

            e. Demonstration of the proper techniques in braking (with or without ABS)

1. Heat/cool

2. Threshold

3 Anti-lock braking systems

            f. Demonstration of the proper techniques in backing a vehicle

            g. Demonstration of the control a vehicle using acceptable techniques in the following vehicle movements:

1. Parking

2. “Y” turn

3. Backing

          h. Operation of a law enforcement vehicle in night conditions

Instructor Note: Advise trainees that they will need to identify department policy related to use of patrol vehicles as part of department training.

Performance Outcome 8.6.

Demonstrate physical skills needed to operate a patrol vehicle.

Training Objective Related to 8.6.

1. Given a physical exercise, demonstrate physical skills required to properly operate a patrol vehicle.

Criteria: The trainee shall be tested on the following:

8.6.1. One and two-hand gripping of steering wheel

8.6.2. Leg/brake coordination for safe stopping of vehicle at varying speeds

8.6.3. Hand/eye coordination to operate radio communication/seatbelt removal/drawing weapon if needed

8.6.4. Lift feet interchangeably to use brake and accelerator or shift gears

8.6.5. Hear/speak with clarity for radio communications

8.6.6. Rotate shoulders to permit observation to sides and rear as needed

8.6.7. Bend to get in and out of car

Lesson Plan Guide: The lesson plan shall include the following:

1. One and two-hand gripping of steering wheel

2. Leg/brake coordination for safe stopping of vehicle at varying speeds

3. Hand/eye coordination to operate radio communication/seatbelt removal/drawing weapon if needed

4. Lifting feet interchangeably to use brake and accelerator or shift gears

5. Hearing/speaking with clarity for radio communications

6. Rotating shoulders to permit observation to sides and rear as needed

7. Bending to get in and out of car

Performance Outcome 8.7.

Establish a stationary roadblock using a patrol vehicle to assist in apprehending a suspect.

Training Objective Related to 8.7.

1. Given a written exercise, identify factors to consider when establishing a stationary roadblock using a patrol vehicle.

Criteria: The trainee shall be tested on the following:

8.7.1. Nature/severity of crime

8.7.2. Location

8.7.3. Terrain

8.7.4. Number of officers/vehicles available

Lesson Plan Guide: The lesson plan shall include the following:

1. Nature/severity of crime

2. Location (least amount of risk to public)

3. Terrain

4. Number of officers/vehicles available

5. Choose a level surface

6. Do not use curves, hill crests, or blind spots

7. As the driver, place the patrol vehicle at a 45 degree angle to the oncoming car.

8. If using two patrol vehicles, form a V.

Instructor Note: Advise trainees that they will need to identify department policy related to establishing stationary roadblocks as part of their department training.