Code of the District of Columbia

§ 5–365.01(Perm). Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

(1) "Boxing in" means a practice or tactic in which law enforcement officers intentionally surround a suspect motor vehicle with pursuit vehicles and then reduce the traveling speed of the pursuit vehicles with the intent to stop or slow the suspect motor vehicle.

(2) "Caravanning" means a practice or tactic in which a law enforcement officer operates a pursuit vehicle without maintaining a reasonable distance between another pursuit vehicle.

(3) "Crime of violence" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 23-1331(4).

(4) "Deploying a roadblock" means a tactic or practice in which a law enforcement officer intentionally places a vehicle or object in the path of the suspect vehicle with the intent to stop the suspect motor vehicle.

(5)(A) "Deploying a tire deflation device" means a tactic or practice in which a law enforcement officer intentionally places or activates a device that extends across the roadway with the intent to slow or stop a suspect vehicle.

(B) The term "deploying a tire deflation device" does not include raising bollards or other barricades when:

(i) The bollard or barricade is clearly visible to the operator of the suspect motor vehicle; and

(ii) The bollard or barricade is raised in a manner that provides the operator of the suspect motor vehicle adequate time to safely avoid the bollard or barricade.

(6) "Law enforcement officer" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 23-501(2).

(7) "Motor vehicle" means an automobile, all-terrain vehicle, a motorcycle, moped, or any other vehicle designed to be propelled only by an internal-combustion engine or electricity.

(8) "Paralleling" means a practice or tactic in which a law enforcement officer operates a pursuit vehicle in the same direction and at approximately the same speed as the suspect motor vehicle using another street or highway parallel to the direction or route of the suspect motor vehicle.

(9) "Pursuit vehicle" means any motor vehicle operated by a law enforcement officer during a vehicular pursuit of a fleeing suspect.

(10) "Ramming" means a tactic in which a law enforcement officer intentionally causes a pursuit vehicle to come into physical contact with a suspect motor vehicle with the intent to damage, slow, or stop the suspect motor vehicle, regardless of the speed of the pursuit vehicle.

(11) "Serious bodily injury" means a bodily injury or significant bodily injury that involves:

(A) A substantial risk of death;

(B) Protracted and obvious disfigurement;

(C) Protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ; or

(D) Protracted loss of consciousness.

(12) "Vehicular pursuit" means the operation of a pursuit vehicle in a manner that is not consistent with the posted speed limit or other applicable traffic regulations in an attempt to apprehend a suspect who is eluding apprehension while operating a motor vehicle.