Restrictive Policies for High-Speed Police Pursuits

• NCJ Number: 122025
• Author(s): H Nugent; E F Connors III; J T McEwen; L Mayo
• Date Published: May 2025
• Length: 32 pages
• Grant Number(s): OJP-85-C-006
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis

Annotation

After reviewing the applicable research, this report examines restrictive policies governing vehicle pursuits in four police agencies and suggests major issues agencies should consider in developing pursuit policies.

Abstract

This report defines "pursuit" as "an active attempt by a law enforcement officer on duty in a patrol car to apprehend one or more occupants of a moving motor vehicle, providing the driver of such vehicle is aware of the attempt and is resisting apprehension by maintaining or increasing his speed or by ignoring the law enforcement officer's attempt to stop him." Policy and liability issues associated with such pursuit are identified. The examination of pursuit policies in four police jurisdictions focuses on the policy rationale; radio communications; pursuit termination; boxing-in, ramming, and roadblocks; firearms; aircraft rules; alternatives to pursuit; interjurisdictional rules; supervisory role; and review procedures. The report recommends that four major elements constitute an agency's pursuit policy: a specific pursuit directive, training, alternatives to high-speed pursuit, and a review process. 39 notes.