Police Pursuit Policies: Ensuring Public Safety
/By: Joel E. Gordon
Too often we hear of police pursuits ending with a tragic loss to innocent life. Law enforcement has long worked to address the issue in finding the right balance between criminal apprehensions and public safety.
When I was chief of police in the Preston County seat of Kingwood West Virginia I implemented a pursuit policy that was rooted in public safety with a view toward not emboldening criminal suspects to flee.
Effective policies play a vital role in maintaining public safety. These policies guide law enforcement officers on when and how to engage in high-speed pursuits. By implementing clear and effective pursuit protocols, police agencies can minimize the risks associated with pursuits, protect innocent lives, and ensure accountability.
Police pursuits are undertaken to apprehend individuals who pose a threat to public safety or are suspected of committing serious crimes. While these high-speed chases are essential for law enforcement, they also carry inherent risks for officers, suspects, and innocent bystanders. Therefore, it is crucial to establish well-defined policies that strike a balance between apprehension and minimizing potential harm.
Effective pursuit policies provide officers with clear guidelines on when to initiate, continue, or terminate a pursuit. These guidelines take into account factors such as the seriousness of the offense, the level of danger posed by the suspect, and the prevailing traffic and weather conditions. By setting objective criteria, pursuit policies help officers make informed decisions in the heat of the moment, reducing the likelihood of unnecessary risk-taking.
A robust pursuit policy should include mechanisms for officer accountability. This includes thorough documentation of the pursuit, including reasons for initiation and termination, as well as any deviations from the established protocol. Regular review and evaluation of pursuit incidents ensure that officers comply with the policy and allow for corrective measures to be taken if necessary. By holding officers accountable, pursuit policies promote transparency and build public trust.
The safety of innocent bystanders and the general public should take precedence over the apprehension of suspects. Pursuit policies should emphasize the importance of assessing the potential risks to bystanders and the community at large. Officers must exercise judgment and terminate pursuits if the potential harm outweighs the necessity of capturing the suspect. Such prioritization ensures that the pursuit is conducted in a manner that minimizes the risk to everyone involved.
A comprehensive and effective pursuit policy should be accompanied by regular training and education for law enforcement officers. This ensures that officers understand the policy guidelines, are aware of best practices, and possess the necessary skills to make split-second decisions during pursuits. Continuous training also helps officers adapt to evolving tactics and technologies, enhancing their ability to handle pursuit situations safely and effectively.
Collaboration is a key element in pursuit policies. By fostering coordination with neighboring law enforcement agencies and other relevant entities, information sharing becomes more efficient. This enables a quicker response and enhances the likelihood of a successful apprehension while minimizing the need for lengthy pursuits. Mutual aid agreements and shared resources can significantly improve the effectiveness of pursuit operations.
Leveraging technological advancements can greatly enhance the effectiveness of pursuit policies. Tools such as GPS tracking, automatic license plate recognition systems, and non-lethal immobilization devices provide law enforcement with valuable options to safely monitor, track, and immobilize fleeing vehicles. Integrating such advancements into pursuit policies reduces the risks associated with high-speed chases while increasing the probability of apprehension. Law enforcement air support also is most beneficial when and where available.
Police pursuit policies serve as critical guidelines for law enforcement officers when engaging in high-speed pursuits. By prioritizing public safety, ensuring officer accountability, and incorporating elements like training, collaboration, and technology, these policies can reduce the risks involved in pursuits, protect innocent lives, and maintain public trust. Continual evaluation and improvement of these policies are essential to adapt to evolving challenges and ensure the safety of all individuals involved in pursuit incidents.
Joel E. Gordon, Managing Editor of BLUE Magazine, is a former Field Training Officer with the Baltimore City Police Department and is a past Chief of Police for the city of Kingwood, West Virginia. He has also served as vice-chair of a multi-jurisdictional regional narcotics task force. An award winning journalist, he is author of the book Still Seeking Justice: One Officer's Story and founded the Facebook group Police Authors Seeking Justice. Look him up at stillseekingjustice.com
