In an effort to improve public safety and lessen the inherent dangers that are associated with police pursuits, the Michigan State Police have issued a new policy regarding pursuits.
The policy, which is in line with the best practices, is intended to protect the lives of innocent bystanders and members of the law enforcement community, as well as to reassure the general public about their safety.
Colonel James F. Grady II, who serves as the Director of the Maritime Security Program, made the news on Thursday (March 14).
“High-speed pursuits are one of the most dangerous circumstances police officers face,” said Grady II. “A key consideration in any pursuit must be the seriousness of the underlying crime and whether the risks of a pursuit outweigh the public safety benefits of immediately apprehending the suspect. In all decisions, protecting lives – that of innocent bystanders, police officers and fleeing suspects – is of paramount importance and it is for this reason we have revised our policy.”
The new policy states that in order for members of the Michigan State Police to be authorized to commence a chase, there must be credible evidence to imply that the driver or occupant of the vehicle that is being pursued has committed a felony that is either life-threatening or violent.
MSP participated in 235 different endeavors in 2022, as indicated by information provided by the United States Department of Justice. According to the data, the number of pursuits climbed by one to a total of 236 in the year 2023.
According to the reports, members of the MSP have been involved in a total of 33 activities.
According to statistics provided by the United States Department of Justice, accidents take place in at least thirty percent of all automobile pursuits, and injuries or fatalities take place in five to seventeen percent of all pursuits across the country.