Vehicle stoppage and pursuit management for law enforcement agencies

Abstract

When an individual in a vehicle flees from a law enforcement officer, after a traffic stop by law enforcement or some other incident, officers may pursue them as part of their responsibility to control and deter crime. Engaging in a vehicle pursuit, however, may endanger the safety of suspects, the public, and law enforcement officers. Because engaging in high-speed chases can result in injuries, fatalities, and the destruction of property, law enforcement agencies have been compelled to implement policies and adopt tools to improve safety measures and reduce adverse outcomes. The goal of this document is to inform the criminal justice community of the general policies that guide police pursuits and to provide illustrative examples of the current and future outlook on vehicle stoppage and tracking tools.