Police pursuits are authorized to catch suspects who use vehicles to evade arrest, but each agency has its own policies on when and where to pursue. Suspects may break the law during chases, and officers are trained to catch them safely. Pursuits are only allowed for serious crimes or threats to public safety, and officers must consider complicating factors. Media and public attention can be dangerous, and it is not recommended to follow or intercept a police chase.
A police pursuit is the pursuit of a suspect by law enforcement agencies. If a suspect uses a vehicle in an attempt to evade arrest, law enforcement agencies are authorized to use their vehicles to track and apprehend the suspect. Each law enforcement agency has its own policies on where and when such pursuits are appropriate, and these policies must be considered before pursuing a suspect begins.
In a police chase, the suspect can break the law to avoid being stopped. This includes breaking the speed limit, failing to stop at traffic lights and stop signs, driving down a street in the wrong direction, or performing other illegal maneuvers. Pursuers in the police pursuit must perform similar maneuvers to catch up, although they are required to consider the safety of bystanders when doing so. By law, they are exempt from liability for these actions as it is recognized that they may have to break the law to catch a suspect.
Officers can use a variety of techniques to attempt to stop a suspect fleeing in a car. Some suspects will stop, which is the safest and most efficient way to make an arrest. Others may be blocked by police cars, forcing them to stop. Barriers can be established to force people to stop or to damage tires so that a car can no longer be driven. Police officers may also be able to ram vehicles to force them to stop. Law enforcement officers receive specialized training to stop people safely and effectively.
The department’s policies on police pursuits usually set out the types of crimes for which such pursuits are worthwhile to address the safety concerns and expense of police pursuits. Officers may only be allowed to pursue the vehicle if a crime is of a serious nature or a suspect poses a threat to public safety. They are also required to consider factors that may complicate a police pursuit. This includes weather conditions, traffic, crowds, and the area where the chase is occurring. If bystanders were put at unreasonable risk by a police pursuit, it may not be authorised.
Police pursuits often attract media and public attention. News agencies may follow the chase to report on it, and in some cities, police car chases may be broadcast live on television. While members of the public may find such events interesting, they are also dangerous and it is not a good idea to attempt to follow or intercept a police chase.
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