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| PursuitWatch Media Kit | ||
| PursuitWatch maintains this media page as a resource for reporters or researchers. Included are useful quotes, websites, and contact information from a diverse group of individuals dedicated to a common cause-safer and smarter police pursuits. We welcome your inquiries. | ||
Archive of PursuitWatch press releases: Here A sample of publications, appearances featuring PursuitWatch:
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| Speakers: Many of the members of PursuitWatch accept speaking engagements in their local areas. Many are willing to travel outside their local areas as long as they are reimbursed for their expenses. You may contact the speakers directly (located in the Contacts section of this page) or you may contact Jim Phillips and he will be happy to answer your questions and put you in touch with with an appropriate speaker. Email jharrissphillips@gmail.com Phone 321-228-9783 Fax 775-521-8799 |
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| Contacts: | ||
| Dr. Geoffrey Alpert University of South Carolina | ||
| John Anderson Kansas City, Missouri | ||
| Major Tim Fitch St. Louis County Police Department (Missouri) | ||
| Chief Steve Jones Orange County Sheriff's Office (Florida) | ||
| Deputy Ron Kelley Osceola County Sheriff's Office (Florida) | ||
| John Phillips PursuitWatch.org (Orlando, Florida) | ||
Mark and Candy Priano Kristieslaw.org (Chico, California) |
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| Michelle Norton Spicer Flemington, New Jersey | ||
| Capt. Travis Yates Tulsa Police Department (Oklahoma) | ||
| Quotes by Subject: | ||
| Pursuit Statistics | Mandatory Reporting | Training |
| DUI | The Media and Pursuits | The Public and Pursuits |
| The Conduct of Pursuits | Police Officers and Pursuits | Pursuits and Crime |
| Pursuit Statistics: TOP | ||
| "Research shows that approximately 40% of all pursuits result in a crash, 20% result in an injury and 1% result in a death. It is interesting that these percentages are accurate for departments throughout the country and over a period of years, even when the numbers of pursuits fluctuate." | ||
| Dr. Geoffrey Alpert University of
South Carolina . |
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| "The more police cars involved in a pursuit, the more likely a collision will result." | ||
| Dr. Geoffrey Alpert University of
South Carolina . |
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| "The
deaths and injuries of officers resulting from vehicle collisions outnumber those that
result from armed confrontations." Chief Steve Jones Orange County Sheriff's Office . |
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| "Pursuits result in up to 4,000 injuries to innocent
bystanders each year for crimes that usually result in a simple fine or a slap on the
wrist. It is time to stop the insanity." Jim Phillips PursuitWatch.org , |
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| Pursuits and Crime TOP | ||
| "The American
population is divided into two groups-those who pull over when directed by police and
those who are reckless and irresponsible and flee. To believe that there are a significant
number of drivers who are straddling the fence and will become reckless and irresponsible
in response to pursuit policy change is absurd." Jim Phillips PursuitWatch.org |
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| . | ||
| Mandatory Reporting of Pursuits: TOP | ||
| "There
is not a requirement or standard for any police department to report on their police
pursuits. In fact, many departments do not keep records of their pursuits and many
others will never release the information they have to the public." Capt. Travis Yates Tulsa Police Department . |
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| "Thorough
data collection allows departments to identify policy weaknesses, training deficiencies
and trends that are critical to successful implementation and refinement of
policy/training. Jim Phillips PursuitWatch.org , |
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| "Many police departments do an excellent job of
monitoring and analyzing their pursuits. Unfortunately, many do not." Capt. Travis Yates Tulsa Police Department . |
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| DUI: TOP | ||
| "To
expect a drunk driver, already mentally and physically impaired to act reasonably when
being pursued ignores the deadly reality of the situation. Drunk drivers are much more
likely to continue to flee and pursuing them virtually assures that the pursuit will end
in a crash, often resulting in deaths or injuries to police officers and innocent
civilians." Jim Phillips PursuitWatch.org . |
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| "A drunk at 40
mph is much less dangerous that a drunk at 80 mph." Jim Phillips PursuitWatch.org . |
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| The Media and Pursuits: TOP | ||
| "What
is ignored by the public, as well as the breathless reporters hanging from the doors of
helicopters or ex-cop narrators spouting endless streams of law and order clichés is that
the drama being played out before them is deadly serious." Jim Phillips PursuitWatch.org . |
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| "When an innocent is killed most reporters are spurred
to ask the questions that need to be asked, to do the research that needs to be done.
Unfortunately, if they had done this in the cases they reported previously where no
fatality resulted they might have prevented the death of an innocent bystander." Jim Phillips PursuitWatch.org . |
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| The Conduct of Pursuits: TOP | ||
| "To put an excited police officer in the position of having to reinvent the wheel each and every time he is faced with a pursue/no pursue situation borders on malfeasance." | ||
| Jim Phillips PursuitWatch.org . |
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| "The well-trained officer will recognize how to temper the initial and grave feelings of contempt toward the suspect and realize that his or her most powerful tool may be to terminate a chase that has become too risky." | ||
| Dr. Geoffrey Alpert University
of South Carolina . |
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| "Once a suspect flees, the police officers involved have almost as much control of the outcome of the pursuit as the suspect." | ||
| Jim Phillips PursuitWatch.org . |
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| "Chasing a criminal for property crimes in today’s world does not make sense. Even if you do catch them and no one is hurt, the perpetrator may get out of jail before you finish your arrest paperwork." | ||
| Chief Steve Jones Orange County
Sheriff's Office / |
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| "We are always
reviewing tactics, as well as technology, that will allow us to do our job safer and
better." |
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| Major Tim Fitch St.
Louis County Police Department (Missouri) . |
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| The Public and Pursuits: TOP | ||
| "Our research has shown that the more members
of the public know about the dangers of pursuit driving, the less they support it.
Public opinion shows high levels of support for cases of serious and violent
offenses. However, when citizens are provided with information about pursuits in
their areas, the support diminishes. Dr. Geoffrey Alpert University of South Carolina . |
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| "The public expects us to catch the "bad guys", but
they also don't want anybody hurt. It can be an impossible task. Our solution was a
restrictive pursuit policy, and doing our job "smarter". Major Tim Fitch St. Louis County Police Department (Missouri) . |
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| Training: TOP | ||
| "A
sound pursuit policy is very important but so many times an agency will ignore the
training that should go along with that. Giving an officer a new policy is easy but
real training that defines and justifies that policy is a must if that policy is going to
be taken serious." Capt. Travis Yates Tulsa Police Department . |
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| "Pursuit
training must include both EVO (Emergency Vehicle Operation) and decision-making
training." Dr. Geoffrey Alpert University of South Carolina . |
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| "Police Departments must take a different approach when it comes to law enforcement driver training. Virtually every State requires that officers qualify with their weapons each year and most require training such as mental health, hazardous materials, and deadly force. Where does driving come in? Unfortunately the one thing that an officer does every single day, driving, is never discussed. In too many places around the World, police officers never train in driving." | ||
| Capt. Travis Yates Tulsa Police
Department . |
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| Police Officers and Pursuits: TOP | ||
| "Law
enforcement officers must view pursuits for what they are, potentially life threatening
situations." Deputy Ron Kelley Osceola County Sheriff's Office . |
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| "The contempt of cop mentality is prevalent during pursuits and often times catching the suspect supersedes basic safety premises." | ||
| Capt. Travis Yates Tulsa Police
Department . |
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| "Peace officers are killed and injured
in pursuits; and if an innocent bystander is killed, we have to believe that this death
becomes a burden that the officers would rather not carry. |
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| Candy Priano kristieslaw.org . |
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| "When
an officer decides to pursue, that decision must be guided by what is in the best interest
of public safety, the safety of that officer as well as the safety of the violator. it is
a matter of personal character whether officers will hold themselves to this
standard." Deputy Ron Kelley Osceola County Sheriff's Office . |
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| "A police officer's most important tool is judgement. Good judgment gets our job done. Good judgment saves lives." | ||
| Major Tim Fitch St.
Louis County Police Department (Missouri) . |
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| Contacts: | ||
| Chief Steve Jones Orange County Sheriff's Office (Florida) | ||
| Steve grew up in Orlando, and graduated from UCF with a degree in Criminal Justice. He has worked at the Orlando Police Dept. and the Orange/Osceola State Attorney's Office. For the past 23 years he has been working for the Orange County Sheriff's Office and currently is the Division Chief for the Media Relations unit and Facility Security. He has received two " medals of merit" for distinguished performance, the "Distinguished Service Award" for his work with media relations, four "Unit Citations" and was honored with the "International Crime Prevention Unit of the Year" as a Sergeant. Steve has completed the "Command Officers Course" from the University of Louisville, Advanced PIO at the Emergency Management Institute, and is certified as a Crime Prevention Practitioner. He is a member of the Florida Law Enforcement Public Information Officers Association and the National Association of Public Information Officers. He recently assisted the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia with developing their curriculum for a national media relations training program. | ||
| Phone 407-254-7340 Email Steve.Jones@ocfl.net TOP | ||
| Capt. Travis Yates Tulsa Police Department (Oklahoma) | ||
| Travis began his law enforcement career in 1993 with the Tulsa Police Department. He became a certified law enforcement driving instructor in 1997 and was promoted to the rank of Corporal in 1998. He obtained a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern State University the same year. After a serving a year as a Gang Task Force Supervisor, Travis was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1999. With a keen interest in training issues, Capt. Yates became involved in teaching courses at the training center and the Field Training Program, training new supervisors. In addition, he worked at Rogers State University as an Adjunct Criminal Justice Professor. In 2000, Capt. Yates was placed on a safe driving committee based on his training efforts in the field of law enforcement driver training. Travis' efforts were tremendous. He built new curriculum and driving courses, while implementing training days for current instructors. Through his mandatory curriculum in 2001, at-fault collisions for officers were reduced by 18%. He was awarded a Chief's Medal in 2003 for his efforts. In 2002, Capt. Yates implemented an innovative program called the "Safety Check Ride". This program placed driving instructors with Police Officers during the course of their duty in an effort to evaluate their driving habits. In addition, Travis has built curriculum for elective in-service training and was responsible for one of the first live scenario based curriculums to be placed in an academy driver training setting. In 2002, Capt. Yates completed a comprehensive instructor manual for each Tulsa Police Law Enforcement Driving Instructor. Through his efforts, he is ensuring that the gains of the past will not be abandoned in the future. The curriculum, training manual and course diagrams caught the attention of several other police departments around the United States. In 2003, Travis set up a web site in an effort to share his information with other instructors. Today,www.policedriving.com receives thousands of unique visits each month and has assisted countless police departments around the World. Travis continues his efforts in the field of driver training and safety. He is pursuing stricter penalties for eluding suspects in Oklahoma and teaches in a Nationally Recognized Instructor School. Travis was promoted to Captain in early 2004, In addition to his duties as a shift commander he continues to administer his department's driver training unit as a team leader. Capt.Yates is responsible for curriculum building, department policies and several administrative duties within the unit. Travis remains a national advocate for safer pursuits, sound policy and mandatory training. | ||
| Email policedriving@yahoo.com Web Police Driving TOP | ||
| Deputy Ron Kelley Osceola County Sheriff's Office (Florida) | ||
| Ron began his law enforcement career in 1976 with the Barrow County Sheriff's office in Winder, Ga. He also worked for the Clarke County Police department and the Clarke County Sheriff's Office where he attained the rank of Sergeant. Ron then returned to Winder to serve as a Sergeant Detective and was later selected to serve on the Northeast Georgia Criminal Intelligence Unit. In 1985 Ron moved to St. Cloud, Fl and worked for the St. Cloud Police Department. Two years later he joined the Osceola County Sheriff's Office where he has been for the last 17 years. Ron holds instructional certificates in Police Motorcycles, Emergency Vehicle Operations, and Emergency Response and Pursuits. Ron has spent 5 years as an instructor for the National Safety Council and the Central Florida Safety Council teaching defensive driving and DUI victim awareness. Ron has taught countless classes and hundreds of students in all of his instructional areas in addition to his assigned duties as a motorcycle deputy. Ron has authored a training course for the use of ATV's in Law Enforcement and most recently Ron has designed a new Emergency/Pursuit Drivers Training course for the Osceloa County Sheriff's Office. The new program focuses on the critical thinking process of emergency/pursuit driving as well as the legal, ethical, and operational aspects. Particular attention is given to the safety issues involved. The new curriculum has caught the attention of law enforcement agencies across the nation and Ron was recently awarded the Administrative Excellence Award, the third highest award of the OSCO, in recognition of his work. | ||
| Email KELLEYRONALD422@cs.com TOP | ||
| Dr. Geoffrey Alpert University of South Carolina | ||
| Dr. Geoffrey Alpert is a Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of South Carolina. He received his Ph.D. in Sociology from Washington State University in 1975. Since that time he has concentrated his research and training on high-risk police activities including use of force, deadly force, and pursuit driving. He is an internationally acknowledged expert in these fields, and is quoted and sited in countless newspapers and periodicals. He is the principal researcher of many studies including Police Pursuit: Policies and Training and Helicopters in Pursuit Operations, written for the National Institute of Justice. He is currently conducting a study on racial profiling, and continues to assist police departments by writing and evaluating policies, training and accountability systems. | ||
| Email galpert Web DeadlyForce TOP | ||
| John Phillips PursuitWatch.org (Orlando,
Florida) John Phillips is a graduate of Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida, and current graduate student at the University of Central Florida. He is the son of the late Jim Phillips, founder of PursuitWatch. Jim Phillips and his wife Patti owned and operated a small family business and lived in Winter Park., Florida. On December 13, 2001 their 20 year-old daughter Sarah was killed-an innocent victim of a police pursuit. Jim started the website PursuitWatch in March 2003. Following the death of Jim, John continued the work of the organization and is the acting president. A protegee of his father, John holds the same wishes of safety for both law enforcement and the community. Working with the same contacts of his father, John has apeared numerous times in newspapers, on radio, as well as television. As Jim worked in memory of his daughter Sarah, John is an advocate working in the memory for both his sister as well as his father, who proved that normal citizen can save countless lives. Phone: 321-228-9783 Email: JHarrissPhillips@gmail.com Web: PursuitWatch.org |
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| Mark and Candy Priano Kristieslaw.org (Chico, California) | ||
| On January 22, 2002, as Candy Priano sat in a California hospital, the people responsible for the Chico police pursuit were all going home to their families: the police and the three girls in the fleeing car, even the driver, an unlicensed 15-year-old girl who had taken her mother’s car without permission. She went home with her mother! The Priano Family, all innocent victims of this unnecessary pursuit, spent seven days at the hospital praying for a miracle; a miracle that their own 15-year-old daughter, Kristie, would live and be okay. But that was not to be. Beautiful Kristie died. Mark Priano, Kristie's dad, later recovered from his serious injuries, as did Kristie's brother Steve, and Candy, Kristie's mom. Physical injuries have long since dissipated, but the emotional toll, the senseless death of a loving daughter, devoted sister, honor student, athlete and community volunteer will be with the Priano Family forever. Six months after Kristie was killed, the Prianos, with the help of Victims of Police Pursuits, started to learn all they could about California's pursuit laws. Now, California State Senator Sam Annestad is carrying Kristie's Bill with the hope that this bill will become law in 2004, the year Kristie Priano would have graduated from high school. Mark and Candy are doing something they never dreamed of -- giving a presentation called "Our Families Deserve Safer Police Pursuits." The Prianos have learned about the good and bad of police pursuits and are still searching for the "Why?" Why is this dangerous police tactic so widely accepted as keeping the public safe? Their presentation, to increase public awareness of the dangers of police pursuits, has been well received and given in the educational arena at the university level and to civic/community groups. Their video, with the same title as their presentation, is being used by some law enforcement departments for training purposes. Both Mark and Candy are graduates of Valparaiso University in Indiana. Mark received a Business degree and Candy received a Mass Communications degree. Mark spends a good part of his career speaking in front of large groups and serves as an announcer for many high school functions. Candy promotes legislation for safer and smarter police pursuits and maintains the kristieslaw.org web site. | ||
| Phone 530-343-9754 Email info@kristieslaw.org Web Kristies Law TOP | ||
| z | ||
| John Anderson Kansas City, Missouri | ||
| On July 10, 2003, a jealous, intoxicated man purposely ran over his ex-girlfriend’s boy friend in Overland Park, Kansas, a Kansas City suburb. The boy friend was not seriously hurt. The girl friend called the police and a chase ensued. The Kansas City, Missouri police took over when the chase drifted over the state line into Missouri. At the same time Toni Sena, her husband and a friend were leisurely riding their bicycles on a quiet neighborhood side street. They suddenly heard screeching tires and sirens. Within seconds, a white pickup truck careened around the corner, followed by pursuing police cars, and headed straight for the three cyclists. The husband and friend swerved right onto a yard. Toni tried to go left but had no time. The pickup struck Toni, throwing her over the hood. As she descended, she hit the hood and fell to the street. The driver ran over her and kept going. One police car stopped to give aid and the others continued the chase. Toni died at the hospital of internal bleeding shortly thereafter. The driver was soon arrested near his home a few blocks away. As Toni’s friends, we were not only devastated, we were confused and angry. A few of us decided to direct these emotions toward a positive good. For weeks, we researched the topic of police pursuits around the country through the Internet and through phone conversations with experts, both citizen and police. Through a concerted effort the Kansas City Police Department and we have totally revised the KCPD Pursuit Policy and as a result Kansas City is a safer place to live today. | ||
| Phone 816-221-3100 Email janderson Fax 816-221-3182 TOP | ||
| , | ||
| Michelle Norton Spicer Flemington, New Jersey | ||
| On July 8, 1998, Michelle and her two sons, 18-year-old John and 15-year old Matthew, were turning left onto the road leading to their home when they were approached from the rear by a Cumberland County Maine sheriff's deputy. The deputy was traveling over 85 mph, responding to a call for an "out-of-control 6-year-old". Michelle's car was struck broadside as the deputy tried to pass. John died at the scene, Matthew died several hours later at the hospital. Although this was not a pursuit, it has been recognized that the same devastating results occur with emergency responses as with pursuits. At the encouragement of several law enforcement trainers, Michelle began presenting the story of her tragedy to police officers. Michelle was recruited by ALERT Int'l. (the Association of Professional Law Enforcement Emergency Vehicle Response Trainers) and NHTSA to participate in the 2001 and 2002 Pursuit Seminars for Law Enforcement Driver Trainers. These seminars were conducted at 24 locations throughout the country and each one opened with the story of Michelle's tragedy. A video entitled "Michelle Norton's Story" was produced in conjunction with the seminars and has been distributed internationally through the IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police). The video has been incorporated into the training curriculum of hundreds of police agencies and academies. Michelle’s story has appeared in several publications including Law and Order Magazine. Michelle has personally reached over 5000 law enforcement officers and emergency responders, speaking at police academies, training seminars, police agencies and conferences. | ||
| Phone/Fax 865-408-1316 Email mespicer@charter.net TOP | ||
| / | ||
| Major Tim Fitch St. Louis County Police Department (Missouri) | ||
| Major Tim Fitch is a
21-year veteran of the St. Louis County Police Department in St. Louis, Missouri. He
currently serves as the Patrol Division Commander, supervising seven police precincts and
more than 500 sworn personnel. Major Fitch is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in
Quantico, Virginia and holds a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice and a
master’s degree in management.St. Louis County, Missouri is a jurisdiction of 1.1
million residents, covering approximately 500 square miles. Within St. Louis County are 92
independent municipalities, operating with 65 separate police departments. The St. Louis County Police Department restricts officers from engaging in pursuits unless the following conditions exist: 1. The suspect committed or attempted to commit a felony; and 2. The crime involved the use or threatened use of deadly force; and 3. The precinct supervisor gives approval. Post-Pursuit reports are filed by field supervisors. Police radio tapes are immediately made by communications personnel and the “Post-Pursuit” package is reviewed through the chain of command to the Chief of Police. |
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| Phone 314-615-4294 Fax 314-615-2501 Email tfitch Web SLCPD TOP | ||
