Car Chase Deaths

[bobburgster]

What ever happened to the police using restraint regarding high speed car chases?

The number of innocent people being killed by car chases seems to be skyrocketing again. Almost on a weekly basis I read about an innocent by-stander or driver getting killed or seriously injured during high speed chases. Many of the chases involve minor crimes or infractions.
Years ago there was a big uproar involving this type of behavior, and most police departments tightened their rules regarding when to initiate pursuit of vehicles.

Sure seems like it is time to clamp down on this behavior again. About 35%-40% of all police chases end in crashes. A couple of simple policy changes (or enforcement of existing policy) regulating when to pursue a suspect would certainly help reduce the number of innocent deaths.

They are:

* The risk to public safety from not stopping an offender should be the principal factor justifying a decision to pursue.

* The decision to pursue should be based on known facts, rather than general suspicion or speculation.

[valerief]

1. I've seen a story where they tased a little girl. Restraint isn't in the vocabulary of some

law enforcement officers. Too bad these delusional types couldn't be weeded out. There are plenty of *rational* people looking for work.

[Greyhound]

3. Weeded out? They've been actively recruited since the 80's.

municipal police departments have been redefined, from civil servants to thuggish enforcers.

[Javaman]

2. Since when did police use restraint in a car chase?

Frankly, it seems to me, that car chases are down or at least not being "breaking news" as they once were.