Rethinking Police Vehicle Pursuit Policies: Prioritizing Safety on the Road

High-speed police pursuits have always carried serious risks, and in recent years, law enforcement agencies across the country have been rethinking how and when these chases should happen. While chasing a violent offender may sometimes be necessary, many pursuits actually start with minor violations. In 2023, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) released a landmark report stating police pursuits with fatal crashes kill more than one person every day¹. That reality has pushed agencies to shift their focus toward one thing above all else: protecting human life.

Three Types of Pursuit Policies

Most policies fall into one of three categories:

Type A: Discretionary
Officers have discretion to decide whether to initiate or continue a pursuit under a discretionary policy. It offers flexibility, but it also means officers must make high-pressure decisions in the moment – often with high adrenaline.

Type B: Restrictive
A restrictive policy allows pursuits only for certain offenses, such as serious violent felonies. Supervisors keep a close eye on these chases to ensure the risks don’t outweigh the need to apprehend the suspect.

Type C: Prohibitive
Under prohibitive policies, pursuits are mostly off-limits except under extreme exigent circumstances. When they do occur, they must be tightly controlled and thoroughly justified.

Nationwide, more and more agencies are moving toward restrictive or prohibitive approaches. The goal is simple: reduce unnecessary danger to officers and the public.

The Report That Shifted Best Practices

A major turning point for police and sheriff departments is the previously mentioned report from the PERF, funded by the Department of Justice and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration². Because there are no national standards, this report is now considered one of the leading sources for modern pursuit guidelines.

Its recommendation is simply this: a high‑speed pursuit should only happen if both of these conditions exist:

1. A serious violent felony has been committed
2. The suspect poses an immediate threat of committing another violent act if they are not stopped

That means pursuits should not be happening for traffic violations, property crimes, or simple failure to yield. In most cases, the risks are too great.

Motorcycle Pursuits: A Special Risk

PERF’s report also emphasizes that motorcycle pursuits pose an especially great danger. Riders have little protection, so agencies are encouraged to prohibit or strongly discourage chasing motorcycles unless the threat is extreme, such as an active shooter fleeing. Similarly, officers on police motorcycles are generally advised not to engage in pursuits for their own safety.

Use of Force and New Technologies

Modern pursuit policies also highlight the importance of clearly defining when certain tactics, like PIT maneuvers or stop sticks, can be used. Agencies are increasingly looking at alternatives as well. Tools like GPS-tracking darts, helicopters, and drones make it possible to monitor suspects without engaging in a dangerous, high-speed chase.

A Safer Path Forward

As technology advances and public expectations evolve, so do law enforcement policies. While catching dangerous criminals remains critical, pursuit policies today are moving toward a more thoughtful balance – one that prioritizes life, safety, and smarter policing.

Source:

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. (2023). Vehicular pursuits: A guide for law enforcement executives on managing the associated risks. Police Executive Research Forum.