NCJ Number
118663
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 56 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1989) Pages: 32-40
Date Published
1989
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Due to the lack of a good empirical foundation, a number of law enforcement agencies around the country are seeking guidance in the area of high-speed pursuits.
Abstract
The most comprehensive way to resolve this complex issue may be to expand the scope of responsibilities involved in pursuit situations. Pre-pursuit responsibilities include a public information campaign designed to inform citizens of police traffic stop procedures and well-developed tactical training for proper police stops. Pursuit situation responsibilities include the responsibility of the police administrator to provide clear and definitive policy guidance to patrol officers, since the absence of such information forces officers to react intuitively. This policy should include the many associated issues of a pursuit situation and allow for the discontinuance of the pursuit, among other things. Research has shown that most suspects who run from the police are not serious felons. Accordingly, most high-speed pursuits are not worth the inherent risk. Post-pursuit responsibilities include a suitable feedback process and proper use of a uniform departmental pursuit form to be filled out at the conclusion of each and every pursuit.