When making the decision to pursue, an officer must use what?

The decision to pursue a suspect involves significant responsibility and can have serious implications for public safety and the officer's own safety. Sound judgment is crucial in this context because it allows the officer to assess the situation comprehensively, taking into account various factors such as the severity of the crime, the risk to the public, and the potential consequences of a pursuit.

Effective judgment enables officers to prioritize safety, allowing them to determine whether a pursuit is warranted or if it would cause more harm than good. This decision should be informed by training, experience, and adherence to policy guidelines that often outline the parameters of pursuing suspects.

While concepts like obtaining permission from a supervisor, showing patience, or using emergency lights may be relevant in certain scenarios, they do not encapsulate the critical thought process and situational awareness that sound judgment entails. It is the judgment of the officer that fundamentally guides the decision to engage in a pursuit responsibly.