NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

1. Use and Types of Roadblocks
A roadblock is a deliberate obstruction of traffic on a road at one or more
selected points installed for a specific purpose. It does not necessarily
mean a complete stoppage of traffic or a complete blockage of the
roadway.
There are several types of roadblocks that may be used. Since each
situation is different, there is no step-by-step procedure to dictate when
or what type of roadblock is to be used. The primary factor to be
considered is safety.
Safety to the public must be the determining factor. The risk of continuing
a pursuit must be greater than the risks encountered when using the
roadblock. This is a decision that the on duty supervisor must make
depending on the facts of each pursuit.
When a fleeing vehicle is other than a standard passenger vehicle or
commercial vehicle (i.e. motorcycle, moped, snowmobile, etc.), no type
of roadblock should be considered unless the violator is wanted for a
chargeable, life threatening felony.
Flares or traffic cones can be placed across the roadway in an effort to
stop or funnel the fleeing vehicle onto the berm to stop or to a desired
stop location.
The officer setting up the roadblock must assume that the suspect will
not stop and must place him/herself and the cruiser in a safe location.
The cruiser must have its emergency lights activated during the
roadblock.
a. Moving Roadblocks
This type of roadblock is a partial blockage of the roadway by a moving
patrol car(s) for the purpose of slowing or stopping a fleeing suspect.
Two police vehicles must be used when deploying this type of roadblock.
The decision to use this type of roadblock will only be made by the on
duty supervisor. The officer creating the blockage must be trained for this
maneuver. Radio communication with the other officers is crucial for this
technique to be effective.
b. Stationary Roadblocks
This is a partial blockage of the roadway using suitable material such
as construction barricades; however, if nothing else suitable is
available, an unoccupied cruiser, with emergency lights on, can be
used. This type of roadblock is extremely dangerous to the violator
and the officer. The decision to use this type of roadblock will be
made by the on duty supervisor.
Occupied or privately-owned vehicles will not barricade the
roadway.
Under no circumstances will a road be completely barricaded by
unoccupied vehicles or objects. The roadblock will be
constructed in such a manner as to leave an exit, and the design
should be such that it would be necessary to proceed slowly
through the roadblock. The only type of stationary roadblocks
that should be used are the “cone and/or staggered”. It is
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