NCJ Number
134737
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: (1991) Pages: 51-61
Date Published
1991
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the influence of officer age and gender on the outcome of police pursuits.
Abstract
Data for this study were part of a larger research project conducted in Miami during 1987. The study, which reports the results of 323 chases, was designed to identify the salient factors that influence the outcome of pursuit driving. The 323 pursuits initiated in 1987 by officers of the Metro-Dade Police Department comprised the population analyzed. Seventy-three percent of the pursuits ended in arrests, and three ended in the defendant's death. Thirty-four percent of the pursuits resulted in an accident, 23 percent involved injuries, and 45 percent included property damage. Measures of negative outcome for pursuits were whether or not there was an accident; whether or not there was an injury to the suspect, officer, or bystanders; and whether or not the suspect escaped. Older officers and female officers were less destructive in their chases than young male officers, and they obtained the desired result as often as the more reckless officers. The female officers were apparently more cautious in their pursuits (i.e., controlling top speeds, not running red lights), and the older male officers apparently had the experience to avoid negative outcomes while conducting more risky pursuits. These study results suggest that the pursuit styles of female and older officers should be used as a model for younger male officers in police pursuit training. 3 tables and 7 references