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Wednesday, April 30, 2003
10:34 PM (NEW!) |
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Mr. Phillips,
"These are the facts of life:
1. Sooner or later your department will restrict their pursuit policy, or if they already
have they will restrict it further.
2. Sooner or later all police officers will be held accountable for the proper
implementation of that policy.
3. These policys will be made, or approved, by civilians."
There are a couple of things wrong with these statements.
1. Many departments already have extremely restrictive policies. I mentioned my own dept.
whose policy is as restrictive as it can be without banning them out right.
2. How do you respond to the officers and supervisors who do implement the policies
appropriately and there are still accidents?
3. I do not know what you do for a living, but in ANY profession, it is folly to allow
those on the outside, who know nothing about the job, to dictate policy.
I believe astro may be correct in saying for the most part we will not change your mind
and you may not change ours. I think we do agree that some chases are neccesary and some
are not. There can also be a lot of gray area which will require experienced judgment on
the part of officers on the streets.
I think you are being rather big headed about your position when you provided the
following statements:
"So where will you, as a law enforcement profesional, be in all this. Looking for
another profession? Facing disiplinary, civil, or criminal action? Fighting the
inevitable?
Or:
Accepting the fact that police pursuits are dangerous-and working, lending your expertise,
to find a solution that promotes public safety, saves lives, minimizes property damage and
lands the bad guys in jail. You can be part of the solution or those that replace you
will. Make your choice."
You seem to think you and your position is the only valid one and that it is inevitable it
will be implemented. I have learned in life, and in my career, there are no absolutes and
especially in politically charged issues such as this, there are no guarantees. You stated
this will be "inevitable." I am glad you have a crystal ball and can see the
future. As long as there are criminals, there will be chases. Officers will always need
discretion to do there jobs and people like you who desire to take that discretion do not
remotely understand the job we do. It is very easy for you to sit back and give 20/20
hindsight when you have not been there.
We do appreciate what you are trying to do, but when you go about it in such a manner as
to say the way you feel is the way it is and WILL be, it puts people off and does
not promote your cause very well. I wish you the best, but until you realize the
non-emotional side your position I think it will always be absolute for you.
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"Be first or be dead. There is no second place in a gun fight."
Bill Jordan
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Jim: A lot of agencies have policy now where persuits are called off to try and
prevent MV deaths to officers...I had one chase that ran 4 counties...Damn, I think that
if ALL departments have a "stop" policy, then we would see less MVA's where a
Brother/Sister are killed. Sometimes you yourself just have to know when to say
stop...I'll check out your site, and have hubby do same...He is a Sgt. here in Jersey, and
his last chase was halted. Better sometimes to halt a chase, and let the man go home! Take
care... 
ursuitWatch
