What are some guidelines for a Police chase http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/0808...

Question

I feel the Police were in the Right this time although the Race card will get thrown around this time,every jurisdiction is different,just wondered what the rules are in your area?

Answer 1

The police did not hit the bicyclist, the fleeing motorist did, and he needs to be held accountable. The only thing the officer could have done different is not chase the driver.

A "no chase" policy is not the answer. Most accidents occur within moments after the chase starts. If you implement a no chase policy, that will give more people an incentive to flee, and create more accidents.

Answer 2

In my area (Pinellas County, FL)  some of the local departments have a "no chase" policy but the Sheriff's Office does not

Answer 3

Every police service has different policy on pursuits, but the common denominator in all pursuits is a constant risk assessment by all parties involved in the pursuit to see whether the risk to the public is outweighed by the crime resulting in the pursuit.  ie.  pursuing a motorist who made a minor traffic infraction into a school zone vs pursuing a murder suspect.

It's easy to armchair quarterback based on what is in the media, but usually the whole story isn't put out there.  Quite often there are other factors that affect the officer's decision to initiate/continue a pursuit.