I would have to disagree, but I am not looking to go head to head against you Vent, just want my opinion heard. Be it some departments probably do have policies, but most that I have seen, worked for and with, leave the discretion WHERE it should be, with the officer or the driver. Our FD in the town I currently work, they don't seem to get out much so they pretty much run L&S to everything, most of there calls just happen to be code 3. Again, when it comes to our EMS, its left up to the discretion of the driver and the crew, and the same with our PD, it is always up to the officer. People talk about liability and such, which will always be there in the sue happy society that we live in, but what it comes down to is the training and education that you give your people before you clear them to drive your vehicles♠, you can't just let the rookies get behind the wheel and go. I believe that everyone should go through some sort of EVOC course, but even then it doesn't prepare you for every scenario, but at least it gives you more of a feeling to what you are capable of and how your vehicle will handle with you behind the wheel.
Note: I am both and officer and a EMT/Driver, I also have been through and helped teach multiple pursuit courses and defensive driving courses. I also teach the driving portion of EVOC for our dept and EMS and in the spring our FD will go through our course. If your dept is looking for a course the try I will send you a basic EVOC course and layout.