Data were collected in 1994 and 1995. Results revealed that 91 percent of the responding police agencies had written policies on pursuits, although many were implemented in the 1970s. Forty-eight percent of the agencies had modified their policies in the last 2 years, usually to make it more restrictive. Findings also indicated that the offense committed by the suspect is the major factor determining whether or not the police should start or continue a chase. The second most important factor is the risk to the public, as determined by the traffic, area, and weather. Findings suggested that the most appropriate policy should limit chases to violent felons. In areas where this is not acceptable, the balance of the need to apprehend the suspect immediately and the risk to the public must be determined by specific rules. A policy should formulate pre-existing categories and standards so that the police officer does not have to distinguish between high-risk and low-risk situations during a chase. Police also need to recognize that a pursuit for a violent felony may become too risky to continue or must be terminated by the police. Another conclusion that might be reached is the need for a use of deadly force to apprehend a violent suspect. A proposed model policy is restrictive, emphasizes public safety over the need to apprehend offenders immediately, and permits pursuits only for violent felonies. Tables, appended instruments, and 104 references
Police Pursuit and the Use of Force
NCJ Number
164833
Date Published
1996
Length
332 pages
Annotation
Police pursuit driving was examined in a 2-year study that included a review of the legal, behavioral, and attitudinal literature; a national survey of law enforcement agencies; detailed case studies of several police agencies; and opinion data from police recruits, officers, supervisors, the public, and offenders who have tried to elude the police.
Abstract
Date Published: January 1, 1996