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Article
Publication date: 1 December 1997

L. Edward Wells and David N. Falcone

Presents an investigation of the perennial problem of collecting valid empirical data on police vehicle pursuits, an organizationally sensitive and often controversial behavior…

1745

Abstract

Presents an investigation of the perennial problem of collecting valid empirical data on police vehicle pursuits, an organizationally sensitive and often controversial behavior, through a new data collection strategy using police emergency radio transmissions. Analyzes taped vehicle pursuits recorded on the Illinois State Police Emergency Radio Network and codes them for content as a data source on police vehicle pursuits. Compares these radio‐transmission data with more conventional pursuit data collection methods, e.g. administrative/official data, elicited‐pursuit‐reporting‐form data, and officer‐self‐report data. Evaluates these as an alternative or supplemental data window for empirically studying the incidence and content of police vehicle pursuits. While some differences appear, results from emergency‐channel radio transmission data largely converge with earlier findings from more conventional data collections. Divergent findings, which are few, appear to be largely the artifacts of different samplings of pursuits that the different data collection methods yield, rather than a result of differential validity.

Details

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, vol. 20 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Unsettling Colonial Automobilities
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80071-082-5

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2005

Gabi Hoffmann and Paul Mazerolle

Police high‐speed pursuits present a difficult area for police managers and policy makers because of the important need to balance public safety with the mandate to enforce laws…

1705

Abstract

Purpose

Police high‐speed pursuits present a difficult area for police managers and policy makers because of the important need to balance public safety with the mandate to enforce laws. The issue of police pursuits has been relatively under‐researched in Australia. The overall purpose of the paper is to provide a descriptive analysis of the characteristics surrounding police pursuits in Queensland, Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

Considers recent events involving high speed pursuit‐related fatal accidents and research into police pursuits which has illuminated clearly the significant risks for both community and police organisations associated with pursuits. Uses data collected in Queensland over a five‐year period.

Findings

The results show that approximately 630 pursuits occur per year in Queensland across the study period, and that half of all pursuits are initiated for traffic offences while an additional quarter are initiated for stolen cars. A total of 29 per cent of pursuits involved a collision, 11 per cent resulted in some sort of injury, and 11 people were killed during the five‐year study period. In relation to an issue that appears to justify the initiation of some police pursuits – that fleeing drivers provide opportunities for police to apprehend serious offenders – examination of the charges data against the fleeing driver showed that very few apprehended drivers were charged with crimes more serious than what was known at the time the pursuit was initiated.

Originality/value

The findings in this study illuminate the importance of adopting more restrictive police pursuit policies.

Details

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, vol. 28 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1996

Jeffrey D. Senese and Thomas Lucadamo

Studies incident‐level pursuit data collected by a large metropolitan police department in the USA over the past decade. Demonstrates that accidents are the outcome of about…

2133

Abstract

Studies incident‐level pursuit data collected by a large metropolitan police department in the USA over the past decade. Demonstrates that accidents are the outcome of about one‐third of pursuits. Urges that pursuit police should continue to evaluate a pursuit that proceeds into another jurisdiction. Finds that pursuits over borders are more likely to result in an accident; that training may be the most important preventative measure; that accidents are more probable when there is more than one police unit and the pursuit is on a non‐express roadway. Supports past evidence that speed is not a probable indicator of accidents.

Details

American Journal of Police, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0735-8547

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2006

Wendy L. Hicks

The purpose of this research is to analyse the vehicular pursuit policy of State Police and State Highway Patrol agencies in the USA.

2093

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to analyse the vehicular pursuit policy of State Police and State Highway Patrol agencies in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Written policies were compared against a Standard Policy, developed by the researcher, based on prior academic and legal research in combination with the existing policies of the Connecticut State Police, California Highway Patrol, and the Minnesota State Police. A total of 47 written pursuit policies were received for a 94 percent return rate.

Findings

All policies had statements pertaining to safety and the need to pursue with due care and regard for public welfare. Items not included in many policies involved elements pertaining to liability and negligence: concerns that have been demonstrated to be instigators of litigation.

Research limitations/implications

This work centers solely on state agencies. This study is the first step in an ongoing, long‐term project aimed at law enforcement vehicular pursuit policy analysis. The first step in the project centered on state agencies but will grow to include municipal agencies as well.

Practical implications

A very useful treatment of the practical side of law enforcement policy. Existing pursuit policies are examined, as are the legal principles used to guide police policy development.

Originality/value

This paper fills an untapped niche in policy research. It is both a practical analysis of existing pursuit policies and an examination of legal cases and constitutional guidelines.

Details

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, vol. 29 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2000

Max L. Bromley

Campus crime and related issues have received considerable attention from the various legislative bodies, the media and social science researchers over the last two decades. Much…

Abstract

Campus crime and related issues have received considerable attention from the various legislative bodies, the media and social science researchers over the last two decades. Much of the attention has been focused on campus police with regard to their ability to protect the campus community. Civil liability lawsuits against campus police departments and their host institutions are not uncommon today. As campus policing has evolved from a watchman/security orientation to more of a full‐service model, it is incumbent that policies used to guide officers in high liability areas be comprehensive. Having comprehensive policies in the high liability areas may also aid in the defense of civil liability lawsuits. One such high liability area is vehicle pursuits. While the general policing literature has focused considerable attention on this topic, campus police guidelines have not been collected or systematically reviewed. The present study examines the content of the vehicle pursuit policies from 67 of the largest 100 campus police departments, serving communities with high student enrollments and often a substantial number of roadways throughout their boundaries. It is certainly foreseeable that from time to time campus police will become engaged in vehicle pursuits. While pursuits by campus police may be relatively infrequent events, policies governing officer decision making are none the less critical. A profile of these policies is developed for review by practitioners and researchers alike. It is believed to be the first such examination of this important policy area within the context of campus policing.

Details

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, vol. 23 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1999

Conan Becknell, G. Larry Mays and Dennis M. Giever

Police officers frequently receive criticism for excessive use of force and, at times, the criticism becomes litigation. The use of excessive force is manifest in areas such as…

3574

Abstract

Police officers frequently receive criticism for excessive use of force and, at times, the criticism becomes litigation. The use of excessive force is manifest in areas such as the unauthorized use of firearms and the videotaped and much publicized beating of motorist Rodney King. However, recently police scholars and practitioners have come to realize that the use of police vehicle pursuits also have the potential to become deadly force. This issue is appearing with increasing frequency and it has resulted in the case of Sacramento County et al. v. Lewis being appealed to and decided by the US Supreme Court. This article analyzes the consequences of police departments having more, or less, restrictive policies in regard to police vehicle pursuits. Different elements of policy restrictiveness also are examined.

Details

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, vol. 22 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1999

Robert E. Crew and Robert A. Hart

This article develops a method for assessing the costs and benefits of police pursuit. Using pursuit data from the State of Minnesota and cost and benefit data from both the…

1567

Abstract

This article develops a method for assessing the costs and benefits of police pursuit. Using pursuit data from the State of Minnesota and cost and benefit data from both the insurance industry and scholarly efforts to estimate the costs of crime, we create “pursuit tradeoff ratios” for each of five types of pursuits. Using logistic regression, we analyze several factors said to affect pursuit outcomes. We show that the benefits of pursuit outweigh their costs across all five types of chases, but that some types of chases are less beneficial than others.

Details

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, vol. 22 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1996

Keller Mark McGue and Tom Barker

Examines a questionnaire returned by 188 Alabama police and sheriffs’ departments with regard to pursuit issues. Considers variables such as department size, current policy…

553

Abstract

Examines a questionnaire returned by 188 Alabama police and sheriffs’ departments with regard to pursuit issues. Considers variables such as department size, current policy, officer judgment, forcible stop techniques and training. Finds that 80 per cent of these departments had an emergency response policy. Clearly shows that a majority of the respondents think their department’s policy is somewhat restrictive. Cautions that policy may not always be followed in practice. Finds that there is a comprehensive effort to promote safety for officers and all involved, notably in the fact that only 44 per cent of the responding departments allow the use of forcible stop techniques.

Details

American Journal of Police, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0735-8547

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1996

Dennis M. Payne and John Charles Fenske

Compares accident injuries and fatalities occurring during a one‐year Michigan emergency response study (MERS) with figures for the state’s general population accidents over three…

1274

Abstract

Compares accident injuries and fatalities occurring during a one‐year Michigan emergency response study (MERS) with figures for the state’s general population accidents over three and five years. Finds that significantly higher rates of accidents occur in pursuits than in the general population or in police non‐pursuit experience but that the MERS fatal accident rate was not significantly higher than in the general population. Suggests that this is partly explained by officers having the advantage of defensive driving training and by a Hawthorne effect; also alcohol consumption is a common factor in general accidents. Points out that non‐fatal injuries were significantly higher than comparable groups. Advocates the establishment of a database built on a mandatory police pursuit reporting system.

Details

American Journal of Police, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0735-8547

Keywords

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