| 1. Good pursuit policy defines pursuit as a public safety
issue, not a law enforcement apprehension issue. 2.
Good pursuit policy always requires that the increased risks to public safety, as a
consequence of the pursuit, must be less than the risks the suspects
present if not pursued.
3. Good pursuit policy always presents, and recommends, if applicable, alternative
strategies and tactics. (i.e. air, stealth, identification for later apprehension etc.)
4. Good pursuit policy always provides clear guidelines on the initiation, conduct, and
continuation of pursuits and eliminates, as far as possible, any subjective or
discretionary criteria.
5. Good pursuit policy always provides for supervisory control with continuous monitoring,
evaluation and reassessment.
6. Good pursuit policy always provides that disciplinary measures to be taken for
disregarding a supervisory order to discontinue a pursuit should be severe and clearly
defined.
7. Good pursuit policy always states that the decision to not pursue, or
to stop a pursuit, made by the patrol officer, or his/her supervisor,
should never be the subject of disciplinary review or action.
8. Good pursuit policy always provides for the mandatory reporting, investigation and
evaluation of every pursuit incident.
9. Good pursuit policy always provides for enforcement and disciplinary mechanisms within
the policy.
3 signs of bad pursuit policy:
1. Characterization of pursuit as a balancing act between the need to apprehend and public
safety.
2. The use of unclear, or imprecise descriptions or definitions and unnecessary or
excessive use of technical jargon. If a civilian cannot understand the policy- it is bad
policy.
3. Frequent reliance on subjective observations in the decision making process.
James Phillips
May 16, 2003
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