Fairfax County Police Department Implements Foot Pursuit Policy and Creates Public-Facing Dashboard

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Fairfax County, VA – The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) has released General Order 614 – Foot Pursuits, a newly created agency policy that focuses on the department’s commitment to safe and innovative apprehension tactics with the goal of both officer and public safety. As part of this effort, the Department has also launched a public-facing dashboard that tracks foot pursuit data in real time—demonstrating the department’s continued leadership in transparency and accountability.

FCPD is one of only a few law enforcement agencies in the country to implement a formal foot pursuit policy, ensuring clear guidelines are formalized for its officers who engage in these unpredictable events while reflecting leading-industry best practices.

In early 2023, FCPD began collecting and analyzing foot pursuit data and the findings have been overwhelmingly positive, showing a high apprehension rate and low rates of injuries, while demonstrating both the safety and effectiveness of officer tactics used in pursuit. This data-informed approach helped provide the foundation for development of the new policy, which reflects the exemplary daily work of FCPD officers, the necessity of apprehending both criminal suspects and individuals in need of immediate mental health resources, and the department’s commitment to transparency.

Developed through collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders, to include law enforcement training experts, legal advisors, and community representatives, General Order 614 provides clear guidance for FCPD officers while reinforcing the department’s dedication to the safety of its officers and the public.

“I’m incredibly proud that we are leading the way with one of the few foot pursuit policies in the country,” said Chief Kevin Davis. “This policy is the result of thoughtful collaboration and a strong commitment to safety, accountability, and transparency. It reflects the professionalism of our officers and our dedication to doing this job the right way.”

KeKey elements of the policy include:

  • Requiring strategic decision-making to minimize risks to officers, the individual being pursued, and the public.
  • Ensuring officers continuously assess risks, the severity of suspected crimes, and the need for immediate apprehension while adjusting their tactics through evolving circumstances.
  • Strengthening supervisory oversight to support informed decision-making to support better decision-making and using containment strategies and new technology to help ensure safer apprehensions.
  • Launching a Foot Pursuit Data Dashboard via FCPD’s Open Data Portal for public transparency, making FCPD one of the only departments in the country to provide real-time public access to law enforcement data.

This policy formalizes FCPD’s perpetual dedication to continuous improvement, ensuring that officer foot pursuits are conducted with the highest regard for safety, accountability, and community trust.