Police Pursuits
Police PursuitsPolice pursuits are one of the biggest questions facing police departments today. Some people feel that police should not engage in pursuits at all. On the other hand, some feel that this power should not be taken away. A police pursuit is the act of chasing after a fleeing motorist. This act could be rewarded by apprehending the motorist or can have serious consequences. The question remains should police have this power.
Police officers should have the right and authority to engage in pursuits. Not all pursuits should be continued or even started. First, there must be policies and procedures regarding pursuits. Secondly, supervisors should know when to call one off. Finally, there must be constant training of officers in this field, to keep their skills sharp. If all of these conditions are met, this should reduce the risk of innocent bystander injuries and fatalities by police pursuits.
Policies and polices are need regarding police pursuits. These polices should map out when to engage in a pursuit and when a pursuit should be called off. Baltimore County Maryland has a matrix that clearly shows to officers when a pursuit is need or when is should be ended. This matrix combines the serious of the crime the offender has committed with the risk factors at the time the potential pursuit could begin. If the risks are too high then the pursuit never happens. This policy has been very effective in aiding the police officers in this gray area concerning this issue.
Policy and procedures must be air tight with no loopholes. The policy must clearly state what the role of the police officer is regarding pursuits. A chief must make it very clear that any attempt to violate the policy and procedures will have serious consequences. This is the first step in reducing the risks of pursuits.
Supervisors play a very crucial role in the issue of police pursuits. As a supervisor one usually has more experience on the job. Once a pursuit has begun, the patrol officer informs his supervisor the nature of the chase. If the supervisor feels that the pursuit has become too risky, it’s his call to end the pursuit. Experience is the most important component that a supervisor possesses over the patrol officer in this situation.
Training must be an ongoing process. Sometimes officers only receive pursuit training when they are in the academy. A pursuit may happen 15 years after this, by that time the officer’s reflexes and instincts have become rusty. An officer takes target practice just in case he/she may ever have to use their gun. The same should hold true for pursuit tactics. Officers should receive pursuit training at least once a year top keep their skills honed and tuned. Also this training will refresh the policy and procedures of the department.
All of these actions must be taking to reduce the risk of injures and fatalities in police pursuits. Police should no have their power to pursue offenders if the means justify the ends. If for any reason that’s not the case a pursuit should not happen or should be called off. Even if all of these actions are followed there is still a chance of an injury or fatality because of a police pursuit, but an extremely small one. As Mark Twain states,” More people die in bed than on trains does that mean that I should never go to bed.” Concluding, police pursuits are a power that should not be taken away, just limited to be more effective and safe.