NCJ Number
82471
Date Published
1981
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This report discusses the results of a study in Phoenix, Ariz., to determine the adequacy of police pursuit policies which allows individual officers to decide when they will initiate a high-speed pursuit.
Abstract
Data were needed to allow police management to decide if a more restrictive pursuit policy should be implemented. A 90-day experiment was conducted on a citywide basis which researched all aspects of pursuit, including initiating incidents, speed reached during pursuit, number of police vehicles involved in a pursuit, etc. Data indicate that Phoenix police officers do not engage in frequent high-speed pursuits through crowded city streets. Pursuits occur at the approximate rate of one every other day. The majority (59 percent) of these pursuits last for fewer than 5 minutes. There are remarkably few lawsuits brought against the department as the result of personal injury or damage to property by the innocent bystander victims of such pursuits. Therefore, it appears that Phoenix police are using good judgment when the choice of a high-speed pursuit is presented. The existing departmental pursuit policy is adequate, and change to a more restrictive policy is not warranted at present. Tables and the police departmental policy are included.