NCJ Number
91735
Journal
Trial Volume: 18 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1982) Pages: 30-34,71
Date Published
1982
Length
6 pages
Annotation
In the interests of public safety and the avoidance of civil actions against police departments, this article focuses on police department policies regulating responses to emergency calls and high speed pursuits.
Abstract
The information is intended for three groups of individuals: police legal advisers or city attorneys who evaluate or assist police departments in developing policies which are based upon sound legal guidelines; police administrators who must develop such policies; and private attorneys retained to handle litigation involving vehicle-incurred injuries or deaths of citizens resulting from police responses to emergency calls or police high speed pursuits. Specific police activities considered include use of emergency equipment (lights and siren), silent run, speed limitations, number of pursuit vehicles, unmarked vehicles, non-police passengers, shooting at a vehicle, ramming vehicles, establishing roadblocks, and termination of pursuit. A review of existing policies indicates that stronger controls should be imposed by police department policies on the operation of police vehicles in emergency responses and high speed pursuits if there is to be a reduction in the increasing number of injuries and deaths. One footnote is given.