Are high-speed pursuits justified?

[Police Moderator]

Are high-speed pursuits justified?
January 5, 2012, by AJC Opinion

Update: Trooper involved in crash is fired

When Kathy Porter, wife of Atlanta Braves trainer Jeff Porter, was killed in a Saturday wreck involving a Georgia State Patrol vehicle, attention turned again to the ongoing debate over high-speed police chases. What rules should govern pursuits that are inherently dangerous to innocent drivers and pedestrians? Is it worth the risk, even when chasing dangerous suspects?

Eugene F. Elander, a retired emergency manager in New Hampshire and Vermont, who now lives in Dahlonega, does not think they are.

Frank V. Rotondo, executive director of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, writes that the need must outweigh the risk.

[LimitedRecourse]

I believe that each pursuit should be carefully considered. Chasing a traffic scofflaw at 150 mph is probably unwarranted. Chasing a murder suspect who is intent on causing more mayhem should also probably be vigorously pursued. Taking weather/road conditions, population density and vehicle abilities under consideration is also important in determining whether or not to pursue.

[Police Moderator]

I agree, LR. A blanket OK or a blanket ban serves no one other than the suspect.

The totality of the circumstances must be weighed every second of the pursuit (Or emergency response) as each is practically a use of deadly force, just waiting to happen.

This former Trooper seems to have a poor record of decision making and the GSP documented it, tried to correct it and when that evidently failed, took the steps to terminate the Trooper.

Too late for the victim's here, though. A sad situation all around.

[goomba]

Jan 8, 2012 9:28:03 GMT -5 LimitedRecourse said:

I believe that each pursuit should be carefully considered. Chasing a traffic scofflaw at 150 mph is probably unwarranted. Chasing a murder suspect who is intent on causing more mayhem should also probably be vigorously pursued. Taking weather/road conditions, population density and vehicle abilities under consideration is also important in determining whether or not to pursue.

This is the best possible solution.

[BlackFox]

Jan 8, 2012 9:28:03 GMT -5 LimitedRecourse said:

I believe that each pursuit should be carefully considered. Chasing a traffic scofflaw at 150 mph is probably unwarranted. Chasing a murder suspect who is intent on causing more mayhem should also probably be vigorously pursued. Taking weather/road conditions, population density and vehicle abilities under consideration is also important in determining whether or not to pursue.

Ayep.