Police Car chases in urbna areas - is it right?

[User62651]

See another 2 or 3 victims including children involving a police car chasing a stolen car in built up areas. For me it is simply not on that the police engage in this situation. A car is insured and is not worth the death of innocent bystanders. I know the blame lies squarely with the criminal behaviour of the car thief but to me engaging is a bad tactic and I daresay young traffic cops are perhaps too eager to get involved in driving high powered police cars in a chase with the adrenalin rush it gives thereby increasing the likelihood of a crash probably tenfold. There must be a more sensible way to apprehend a stolen car driver in areas where pedestrians and kids are present than chase driving at 90 or 100mph through the streets? I would let the car get stolen and track it using cctv, uav's, helicopter etc. If he/she does start to drive in a crazy fashion then engage but not as a default reaction. As long as the criminal is caught I dont see why it has to be an instant result, just wait a while and catch them later via DNA or such like. A car ain't worth a life, this happens all too often and responses need to change.....imo

Or am I talking rubbish?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I agree with your sentiments but I don't think for one minute that young (or any age) police officers are too eager to get involved in a chase and from what I can determine, they have to seek permission from highly trained controllers prior to chasing these vehicles.

 

[bluewolf]

Damned if they do, damned if they don't... Change the policy and just wait for the first complaint that the Police sat back and allowed a car thief to drive off into the sunset..

FWIW, the blame should lie squarely with the offender.. Anyone killed should result in the strongest charge possible...

 

[Doon frae Troon]

A bit like kids on scramble bikes on the golf course, do nothing then they will multiply.

 

[Hacker Khan]

I have no idea about the specifics of this case but there is a difference between chasing a 3 year old Nissan Micra in the hope of retrieving it and chasing a stolen car because it contains say some most wanted criminals or even terrorists. I imagine the main intention of these chases is to apprehend the people in the car, not retrieve the car itself. None of which justifies the killing of innocent people who happen to get in the way, but it may well make a difference in the decisions whether to start a police chase or not.

 

[User62651]

A bit like kids on scramble bikes on the golf course, do nothing then they will multiply.

Difference being scramblers aren't killing golfers on a regular basis.

 

[User62651]

I have no idea about the specifics of this case but there is a difference between chasing a 3 year old Nissan Micra in the hope of retrieving it and chasing a stolen car because it contains say some most wanted criminals or even terrorists. I imagine the main intention of these chases is to apprehend the people in the car, not retrieve the car itself. None of which justifies the killing of innocent people who happen to get in the way, but it may well make a difference in the decisions whether to start a police chase or not.

Ok but that's too often the wrong decision being taken imo. Not killing people 99 of 100 is more important than catching a crook, the exception being if he's a suicide bomber with a truck as a crude example.

 

[Blue in Munich]

Ok but that's too often the wrong decision being taken imo. Not killing people 99 of 100 is more important than catching a crook, the exception being if he's a suicide bomber with a truck as a crude example.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/705800/Two-dead-police-chase-hit-Penge-London

So an abducted child wouldn't qualify then, assuming the reports to be correct?

As bluewolf said, damned if they do……...

 

[Tarkus1212]

Is it out of the question for the manufacturers to fit trackers as standard, and build them into the framework or electrical system of the car so that they can't be removed easily?

 

[williamalex1]

The use of drones might be an option ?.

 

[Hobbit]

The use of drones might be an option ?.

Or Apache attack helicopters.

 

[Tashyboy]

As said this before and will continue saying it. The punishment should be a deterrent. Not just car crime but 14 yr old kids carrying knives at Notting hill festival. If they don't get punished severely what deterrent is it to there pals. On the telly the other night a woman 20's and her mother were caught knicking newly laid turf off someone's front garden. She was sent down coz it was her ? 92nd offence. Why wait til 92.

 

[hors limite]

If you have ever watched one of the "police chase" offerings on TV, they always seem to show some not overly bright plod with an unhealthy passion for his Subaru Imprezza. The chase involving multiple cars, officers and a helicopter then eventually nabs some pimply youth(s) with an alarming past record of similar offences who is then reported to have receive a fine of a few quid and x hours of community service.What is the point?
The latest toy in the police armoury is the Taser and recent reports state that their use is increasing at an alarming rate.Did the young ex footballer who died recently really need to be Tasered?
Lest anyone should get the wrong idea, I am totally in favour of a law abiding society. However, the police should be responsible for justifying the proportionality of their response.

 

[williamalex1]

Or Apache attack helicopters.

:thup:

 

[Deleted member 18121]

If you didn't allow the police to chase, then a crook (of any sort) will make their getaway into urban areas every time.

 

[woody69]

See another 2 or 3 victims including children involving a police car chasing a stolen car in built up areas. For me it is simply not on that the police engage in this situation. A car is insured and is not worth the death of innocent bystanders. I know the blame lies squarely with the criminal behaviour of the car thief but to me engaging is a bad tactic and I daresay young traffic cops are perhaps too eager to get involved in driving high powered police cars in a chase with the adrenalin rush it gives thereby increasing the likelihood of a crash probably tenfold. There must be a more sensible way to apprehend a stolen car driver in areas where pedestrians and kids are present than chase driving at 90 or 100mph through the streets? I would let the car get stolen and track it using cctv, uav's, helicopter etc. If he/she does start to drive in a crazy fashion then engage but not as a default reaction. As long as the criminal is caught I dont see why it has to be an instant result, just wait a while and catch them later via DNA or such like. A car ain't worth a life, this happens all too often and responses need to change.....imo

Or am I talking rubbish?

Do you have any actual statistical data that compares the number of deaths as a direct consequence of a police car chase? Whilst it is tragic I'm fairly certain the numbers would provide evidence that giving chase is the most effective means of dealing with this criminals, despite the risks.

Police pursuit drivers go through extensive driving courses to be involved in these types of pursuit and will (and do) back off if they deem the situation to be getting out of control or the offender to be driving dangerously and likely to lose control. Incidents do happen though of course.

 

[hovis]

One thing i can say for sure is no police officers wants to turn a chase into an incident. You want to see the paper work for a scratch to the bumper. Of course they should chase them. I don't understand this culture of taking power away from the police. People do die being tazered, if they complied with the law they would never be in that situation

 

[doublebogey7]

One thing i can say for sure is no police officers wants to turn a chase into an incident. You want to see the paper work for a scratch to the bumper. Of course they should chase them. I don't understand this culture of taking power away from the police. People do die being tazered, if they complied with the law they would never be in that situation

Is it not innocent until proven guilty in this country anymore?

I am not against police using tazers or firearms for that matter but any response must be proportionate else we will find ourselves in a police state.

 

[Blue in Munich]

Is it not innocent until proven guilty in this country anymore?

I am not against police using tazers or firearms for that matter but any response must be proportionate else we will find ourselves in a police state.

Yes it is, but let's be honest, you get more than enough opportunity to come quietly before the taser is deployed; if you are innocent with nothing to hide, why not come in and prove it?

 

[Trojan615]

This is the current situation with mopeds.. To dangerous to peruse in case the little cherubs fall off and hurt themselves