As you might imagine, Wednesday night’s state patrol chase of a stolen vehicle suspect which led to the death of an innocent motorist has touched off a debate over police pursuits.
Social media is alive with comments – some of which defend the trooper’s action, some of which wonder why the chase wasn’t terminated at some point.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety has a 10-page policy manual that deals with the question, and it says, in part:
“Sworn members of the Department are expected to make reasonable efforts to
apprehend violators who flee or otherwise attempt to elude. However, the Department
recognizes and respects the value and special integrity of each and every human life.
In vesting members with the lawful authority to use force in the protection of the public
welfare, a special balancing of all human interests is required. Members, in the
performance of their duty, must use only the force that is reasonably necessary to bring
an incident under control.
It is paramount that members exercise prudent and sound laws governing vehicle pursuits. At the same time, they must use sound discretion and good judgment in each pursuit. It must be understood that every violator will not be apprehended.
In some situations the most professional and reasonable decision would be to terminate a pursuit in the interest of their own and the public’s safety.”
You can read the full document here: Microsoft Word – 17.02 Pursuits revision
EARLIER STORY. POSTED THURSDAY MORNING: Police chase proves fatal to innocent motorist