The bill S. 8 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 23-23-170, which establishes guidelines for law enforcement officers regarding vehicular pursuits. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Training Council is tasked with creating policies, procedures, and training courses that dictate the circumstances under which officers may engage in such pursuits. Key conditions include having probable cause for violent crimes or sex offenses, reasonable suspicion of DUI offenses, the necessity of the pursuit for identification or apprehension, and the presence of an imminent threat to public safety. Additionally, officers must obtain authorization from a supervising officer, who must evaluate various safety considerations before allowing the pursuit to continue.

The bill also outlines specific provisions for jurisdictions with fewer than ten commissioned officers, where an on-call supervisor must be notified if a supervisor is not on duty. It mandates compliance with agency procedures for designating primary pursuit vehicles and coordinating with other jurisdictions. Furthermore, it restricts officers from firing weapons at moving vehicles unless there is an imminent threat of serious physical harm. The bill defines "vehicular pursuit" as an attempt by a uniformed officer to stop a vehicle when the operator is aware of the officer's signals and is actively resisting arrest. This legislation is set to take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 23-23-170
Latest Version: 23-23-170