NCJ Number
134738
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: (1991) Pages: 63-68
Date Published
1991
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This Australian study developed a profile of offenders involved in high-speed pursuits.
Abstract
All high-speed pursuits (143) that occurred in the metropolitan area of one major Australian city during a 10-month period were identified from the high-speed pursuit records required by the police jurisdiction. A sample of offenders was randomly selected from all cases reported in the sampling period in which the offender was apprehended. The official pursuit report forms and official criminal records were used to identify demographic data, driving license status, blood alcohol content (BAC), and prior criminal record. Two major offender typologies emerged from the analysis of high-speed pursuit offender characteristics. One consisted of young males who, at the time of the pursuit, were employed, held an appropriate driver's license, and recorded high BAC's. The other group consisted of young males who were unemployed, did not hold an appropriate driver's license, recorded high BAC, and had aberrant driving records and extensive petty criminal histories. Overall, high-speed pursuits typically involved persons considered high risks on the road under everyday driving conditions. These data should help police agencies shape police on pursuit initiation and management. 1 table and 5 references