Police Pursuits
Dangers of Police Pursuits
January 2006 Abstract
Debate rages over whether high-speed pursuits are justified. And consensus is growing among local and national law enforcement for the need for stricter controls to dictate when, where and why police engage in such potentially deadly car chases.
The written pursuit policies of 47 state law enforcement agencies and the nation's 25 largest cities were subjected to comparative analysis. Qualitative analysis of the policies focused on factors justifying pursuit, physical operation of the police vehicle, circumstances of operation, and external factors. The policies also were rated quantitatively on a continuum ranging from allowing officers a great deal of judgment in the conduct of a pursuit to discouraging all pursuits except as a last resort. Most policies were found to permit a great deal of judgment, although cities tended to be more likely than states to place restrictions on pursuits. Of the approximately 300 people killed each year in the United States from vehicle crashes related to police pursuits, nearly one-third of those are innocent people, according to a study by researchers at the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center. The Real Dangers of Police Pursuits
Introduction
Police pursuits are one of the biggest issues facing police departments today. Some people feel that the police should not engage in pursuits at all. On the other hand, some feel that this power should not be taken away. The value of chasing offenders who flee from law enforcement officers in Automobiles continues to be the subject of intense interest and controversy among law enforcement officers and public officials alike. As many as 40 percent of all motor vehicle police pursuits end in collisions and some of these result in nearly 300 deaths each year of police officers, offenders, or innocent third party individuals. Since many police pursuits result in accidents and injuries, agencies and officers become subjects of
January 2006 Abstract
Debate rages over whether high-speed pursuits are justified. And consensus is growing among local and national law enforcement for the need for stricter controls to dictate when, where and why police engage in such potentially deadly car chases.
The written pursuit policies of 47 state law enforcement agencies and the nation's 25 largest cities were subjected to comparative analysis. Qualitative analysis of the policies focused on factors justifying pursuit, physical operation of the police vehicle, circumstances of operation, and external factors. The policies also were rated quantitatively on a continuum ranging from allowing officers a great deal of judgment in the conduct of a pursuit to discouraging all pursuits except as a last resort. Most policies were found to permit a great deal of judgment, although cities tended to be more likely than states to place restrictions on pursuits. Of the approximately 300 people killed each year in the United States from vehicle crashes related to police pursuits, nearly one-third of those are innocent people, according to a study by researchers at the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center. The Real Dangers of Police Pursuits
Introduction
Police pursuits are one of the biggest issues facing police departments today. Some people feel that the police should not engage in pursuits at all. On the other hand, some feel that this power should not be taken away. The value of chasing offenders who flee from law enforcement officers in Automobiles continues to be the subject of intense interest and controversy among law enforcement officers and public officials alike. As many as 40 percent of all motor vehicle police pursuits end in collisions and some of these result in nearly 300 deaths each year of police officers, offenders, or innocent third party individuals. Since many police pursuits result in accidents and injuries, agencies and officers become subjects of
Bibliography: Kristie 's Law. (2005, September 9). Retrieved January 8, 2006, from http://www.kristieslaw.org/blanket_immunity.htm This web article talks about enacting a law called Kristie 's Law to be incorporated into police department 's pursuit policy