Research & Technology

Research tells us what we're doing right and what we're doing wrong. Technology gives us hope. We had that hope in the 1930's with the advent of the two-way radio; still today the best—and most under-utilized—weapon we have in the fight against police chases. Then came other devices, such as stop sticks, spike strips, computers, helicopters, OnStar, GPS, etc. Even with our best and most-promising technological advances, we can not underestimate the human element when it comes to police chases because it is still the major factor and reason why police chases kill. For more on technology, click here.

Immunity Laws by State
Every law enforcement agency has a policy. The big question is this: Which states require that the policy be followed?
Research by Candy Priano

Law enforcement professionals unanimously agree that police vehicular pursuits are dangerous and that they must be controlled (Alpert, Kenney, Dunham, & Smith, 2000), but questions remain as to how dangerous they are and how they should be controlled. That debate has been ongoing for a long time and continues unabated today.

Police Pursuit: Policies and Training
National Institute of Justice — May 1997
by Geoffrey P. Alpert

The issues addressed in this study include whether the benefits of potential apprehension outweigh the risks of endangering police officers, the public, and suspects in the chase. Results of the study indicate law enforcement personnel and members of the public focused on the severity of the offense committed by the suspect when supporting a pursuit. The second most important factor was the risk to the public (as defined by traffic, road conditions, and the weather).

PursuitWatch Interview with Dr. Geoffrey Alpert

Book Club

Resources on Police Pursuits can be found at Kristie's Law Book Club.

Technology

GPS and OnStar: No exception to a sound pursuit policy
by John Phillips, President of PursuitWatch
April 15, 2008