MPD presents new foot‑pursuit policy and an electronic‑storage‑detection canine to FPC

At the April 2 meeting Assistant Chief Craig Serna described two MPD communications: a new foot‑pursuit policy (SOP 100) and an electronic‑storage‑detection (ESD) canine assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children unit.

Serna said SOP 100 requires officers to employ articulable or reasonable suspicion before initiating foot pursuits, activate body‑worn cameras, use supervisory oversight to manage or terminate pursuits when risks outweigh the need for immediate apprehension, and consider safer alternatives such as perimeter containment or delayed apprehension. "This policy establishes essential guidelines to ensure that officers conduct foot pursuits in a manner that prioritizes safety, legality, and a sound tactical judgment," Serna said.

Serna also introduced Ellis, a black Labrador acquired through an NCFI grant to detect electronic storage devices; Ellis will assist in searches for digital evidence and serve in a secondary therapy role for staff handling sensitive child‑exploitation cases. Serna said Ellis completed initial training in December and arrived in January, and that success stories should be expected as the canine matures.

Commissioners praised the SOP’s emphasis on supervisory review, avoidance of boilerplate language (for example, discouraging use of vague "high‑crime area" language), and steps aimed at continuous improvement. Several commissioners highlighted the inclusion of supervisor evaluation to identify tactics that could be improved after a pursuit and suggested that training and clearer definitions of "reckless" conduct be part of implementation.

As a communication file, the presentation required no formal action; Serna said MPD intends to present six‑month pursuit statistics in June and to provide additional deployment details for pursuit‑mitigation technology at that time.