Police Pursuit Policy Education and Awareness

The history of law enforcement vehicles can be traced as far back as the 1800s. Initially, police used horses and patrol wagons; however, by the 1920s, the automobile transformed how they performed their duties. While an unfortunate reality, history also teaches that suspects, on occasion, flee from police officers. Police pursuits, while sometimes necessary, are high-risk events that can present significant dangers to suspects, members of the public, other vehicles on the road, and police officers themselves.

In light of these risks, law enforcement agencies must ensure their personnel adhere to their Department and State of Connecticut Pursuit Policies to ensure their and others’ safety and reduce liability. Police departments should also conduct regular police training on their specific pursuit policies to reinforce critical best practices and protocols.

Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POSTC) Model Pursuit Policy 

The POSTC Model Pursuit Policy is a practical resource that helps municipal police departments perform their duties safely and consistently. The document outlines all policy sections to help your department create a tailored policy. The model policy includes sample language on definitions, procedures, operations, responsibilities, tactics, firearm use, termination, inter-jurisdictional pursuits, post-pursuit reporting, alternative measures, and training.

CIRMA Can Help 

Police pursuits are complex issues that have kept leaders up at night since the advent of the modern automobile. Understanding state and local pursuit policies can help officers keep their personnel and communities safe while reducing liability for themselves and their respective police departments. 

CIRMA Risk Management provides a Roll Call Series targeted at Law Enforcement, various law-enforcement-focused training resources, and information curated through our Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.

CIRMA will help you review your department’s policies, including your police motor vehicle pursuit policy. Contact your CIRMA risk management consultant for more information today.