Police Pursuit Policy

PursuitSAFETY believes chases should only be conducted when there is no other way to apprehend a fleeing driver who poses an imminent threat to public safety, i.e., to prevent future injuries and deaths.

Checkpoint Avoidance Policy
Checkpoint Avoidance Policy (pdf)
A model policy to stop drivers who attempt to avoid DUI and vehicle safety checkpoints.
Written by Ret. Police Chief Donald Van Blaricom
February 7, 2008

Debunking the Myth
Research proves this statement is false. Officers catch most criminals by good detective work, not by a chance encounter and not by a chase. People who flee are going to flee no matter what the policy. People who will pull over appropriately today will do so tomorrow no matter what the policy. 

Research to support our stance:
Review of Orlando (Fla.) PD's Restrictive Pursuit Policy
Press release from the LAPD about their Policy Review
Illinois State Police Policy Change
Phoenix Police Department Policy Change
Department of Justice Study

Fleeing drivers who are not chased will eventually be caught. "Abandoning the pursuit does not mean the officer stops apprehension efforts; rather, the officer initiates other resources to bring about the apprehension." —Lt. John Specht, Hillsboro, Oregon, PD.

Restrictive pursuit polices not only work; they save lives.

Emergency Response Policy

Illinois State Police Directive
OPS-081, Emergency Response Driving Policy (pdf)
Revised Nov. 18, 2008 & implemented Jan. 1, 2009
This model policy requires ISP officers to notify their supervisors when they expect to exceed the posted speed limit by more than 20 mph for a Code 2 and 30 mph for a life-threatening emergency. Supervisors will monitor all incidents and have the final say as to whether an officer can exceed speed restrictions. It also requires mandatory video recording equipment be activated when emergency lights are in use, the termination of the use of mobile data computers during emergency-response driving, and the installation of hands-free cell phones.