NCJ Number
45582
Journal
Trooper Volume: 2 Issue: 7 Dated: (WINTER 1977) Pages: 61-63,65
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE PROBLEMS INHERENT IN HIGH-SPEED CHASES ARE DISCUSSED, AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE URGED TO DEVELOP REALISTIC GUIDELINES FOR CHASES, TO CHECK TIRES, TO OFFER PURSUIT TRAINING, AND TO CHANGE POLICE ATTITUDES.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF HIGH-SPEED PURSUITS END TRAGICALLY, THOSE THAT DO RESULT IN DEATHS OR SERIOUS INJURIES ARE COMMON ENOUGH TO MAKE THE PROBLEM OF HOT PURSUIT AN EMOTIONAL ONE. SOME POLICE SAY THAT IF A SUSPECT KNOWS THE POLICE WILL STOP CHASING WHEN A CERTAIN SPEED IS REACHED, IT WILL MERELY ENCOURAGE HIGH-SPEED ESCAPES. OTHER DEPARTMENTS HOLD INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS LIABLE FOR INJURY OR DAMAGE RESULTING FROM SUCH CHASES. IN GENERAL, DEPARTMENTS TRY TO SET GUIDELINES FOR SAFE SPEEDS, FOR PRECAUTIONS, AND FOR TRAINING. AT PRESENT ABOUT 250,000 PURSUITS ARE CONDUCTED EACH YEAR. THOUGH MOST END SAFELY, ABOUT 6,000 TO 8,000 RESULT IN CRASHES, KILLING OVER 300 PEOPLE AND INJURING 2,500 TO 5,000. POLICE DEPARTMENTS WHICH OFFER SPECIAL DRIVING TRAINING HAVE BETTER RESULTS. RADIOS WHICH DO NOT HAVE TO BE HELD IN THE HAND, HELICOPTERS, AND COOPERATION AMONG NEIGHBORING JURISDICTIONS ALSO HELP CUT DOWN ON ACCIDENTS RESULTING FROM CHASES. MOST IMPORTANT, HOWEVER, IS A CHANGE IN ATTITUDE. MOVIES AND TELEVISION SHOWS GLAMORIZING CHASES AFFECT BOTH CIVILIANS AND POLICE. POLICE ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD ADVISE PATROL OFFICERS THAT IT IS NOT BAD JUDGMENT OR COWARDICE TO CALL OFF A CHASE IF THEY BELIEVE THEY ARE ENTERING AN AREA WHERE A CITIZEN OR THE OFFICERS THEMSELVES MAY BE INJURED. ONE OFFICIAL POLICY STATES, 'THE DECISION TO PURSUE IS NOT IRREVOCABLE, AND IT IS THE INTELLIGENT OFFICER WHO KNOWS WHEN TO DISCONTINUE THE CHASE.' (GLR)