Question:
How can police departments manage risk in police pursuits?
Short Answer
Police departments can manage risk in police pursuits by adopting restrictive pursuit policies, providing extensive officer training, implementing accountability processes, and engaging with the community.
Managing Risks in Police Pursuits
Law enforcement agencies face difficult decisions when suspects flee in vehicles. Pursuing suspects who refuse to stop can help apprehend dangerous criminals. However, pursuits also pose risks to officers, suspects, and innocent bystanders. Agencies must balance these competing priorities when developing pursuit policies.
A new report from the Police Executive Research Forum provides comprehensive guidance on managing the risks of vehicular pursuits. The report urges agencies to adopt restrictive pursuit policies that limit chases to only the most serious crimes where the need to immediately apprehend the suspect outweighs the danger created by the pursuit.
Adopt Restrictive Pursuit Policies
The report recommends that pursuit policies:
- Clearly define what constitutes a pursuit, including an officer’s attempt to apprehend and a driver’s refusal to stop
- Limit pursuits to violent felonies where immediate capture is necessary to protect the public
- Require supervisory approval to initiate and continue a pursuit
- Provide factors for officers and supervisors to weigh risks vs. rewards on a case-by-case basis
- Instruct officers to terminate pursuits when risks become too high
More restrictive policies help minimize the inherent dangers of pursuits while still allowing officers to apprehend the most dangerous fleeing suspects when absolutely necessary.
Prioritize Officer Training
Training is crucial to ensure officers make sound judgments during rapidly evolving pursuits. The report advises:
- Annual training for all officers on the agency’s updated pursuit policy
- Realistic, scenario-based training to practice pursuit decision-making
- Instruction for supervisors on assessing information from officers in the field to determine whether to authorize a pursuit
Training should emphasize the goal of preserving life and avoiding unnecessary risk. Role-playing challenging real-world pursuit scenarios promotes responsible decision-making.
Implement Accountability Processes
Post-pursuit accountability and review processes promote responsibility at the individual and agency levels. The report recommends:
- Thorough documentation and administrative review of all pursuits
- Tracking cases where suspects flee but officers do not engage in pursuit
- Review boards to identify problematic practices and improve policy and training
- Data analysis to justify current policy and recognize good officer decision-making
Careful review of each pursuit allows agencies to continually improve their risk management approach.
Engage the Community
Community engagement and transparency help obtain public input on pursuit policies and educate residents on the risks and benefits of pursuits. The report advises agencies to:
- Publish pursuit policies online
- Hold public discussions after high-profile incidents
- Release annual pursuit data reports
- Involve community stakeholders in policy development
Informing the community builds trust in the agency’s pursuit policy and actions.
Conclusion
Police pursuits involve balancing safety, accountability, and the duty to enforce the law. By implementing risk management strategies like restrictive pursuit policies, robust training, data analysis, and community engagement, agencies can better serve their communities while upholding public safety. Responsible pursuit policies demonstrate an agency’s commitment to valuing and preserving human life.