Alternatives to High Speed Police Chases

High-speed police chases are dangerous and can result in serious injury or death for innocent bystanders, police officers, and suspects. These chases often involve tunnel vision, unpredictability, and other vehicles and pedestrians on the road. Between a quarter and a third of police chases result in a collision, and about half of those collisions result in injury. 

High-speed police chases can be dangerous for both law enforcement officers and the public. The Mirror looked to see what tactics and strategies were currently out there.

There are several alternatives that law enforcement agencies can consider to minimize the risks associated with high-speed pursuits:

1. GPS Tracking and Vehicle Immobilization: Use technology to track and remotely disable a fleeing vehicle. This can help prevent dangerous pursuits altogether.
2. Helicopter Surveillance: Employ helicopters equipped with cameras and thermal imaging to track suspects from the air, providing real-time information to officers on the ground without the need for high-speed chases.
3. Roadblocks: Set up controlled roadblocks to safely stop a fleeing vehicle. These should be strategically placed and coordinated to minimize risk.
4. Spike Strips: Use spike strips to puncture the tires of a fleeing vehicle, gradually reducing its speed until it comes to a stop.
5. Negotiation: If the situation allows, attempt to establish communication with the suspect and negotiate a peaceful surrender.
6. Predictive Policing: Use data analytics and predictive policing models to anticipate criminal behavior and apprehend suspects before they engage in high-speed chases.
7. Community Policing: Foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the community to gather information and engage community members in crime prevention, which can lead to more effective apprehension of suspects.
8. Training and Protocols: Ensure that law enforcement officers are well-trained in pursuit tactics and have clear guidelines and protocols for when and how to engage in high-speed pursuits.
9. Less Lethal Weapons: Equip officers with less lethal weapons such as tasers, bean bag rounds, or pepper spray to disable suspects without resorting to high-speed chases.
10. Advanced Driving Techniques: Provide officers with advanced driving training to enhance their ability to safely pursue and control a fleeing vehicle.
11. Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): Drones can be used for surveillance and tracking, providing a safer alternative to high-speed pursuits.
12. K-9 Units: Deploy trained police dogs to apprehend suspects, reducing the need for high-speed chases.
13. Crisis Intervention Teams: Train officers in crisis intervention techniques to handle situations involving individuals experiencing mental health crises without resorting to high-speed chases.
14. License Plate Recognition: Implement license plate recognition systems to help identify and track suspects without engaging in dangerous chases.
15. Strict Pursuit Policies: Develop strict pursuit policies that limit high-speed chases to situations involving violent felonies, ensuring that pursuits are only initiated when the potential danger justifies the risk.
16. Collaboration with Other Agencies: Coordinate with other law enforcement agencies to share resources and information, increasing the likelihood of apprehending suspects without high-speed pursuits.

It’s essential for law enforcement agencies to balance the need for apprehending suspects with the safety of officers and the public. Each situation may require a different approach, and the decision to engage in a high-speed pursuit should be made carefully and with consideration of the potential risks involved.