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Police are cracking down on officers who participate in car chases where the risk of harm does not justify the chase. But they say fleeing drivers will still be held accountable, despite their policy review.
Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Rethinking means officers can only initiate a pursuit if the need to catch the driver or passengers outweighs the risk or harm created by the pursuit.
It was made after a joint review with the Independent Police Conduct Authority last year, which found that while the policy was robust, it was not being used consistently or as it should be.
“It’s just about adjusting and ensuring a consistent approach across the country,” said Deputy Commissioner Sandra Venables.
“That is why we have always said that we prefer that our officers carry out inquiries or investigations rather than chasing a fleeing driver
“So that’s what we’re focused on as far as politics is concerned, but also as far as our training is concerned.”
Venables said the slight rewording better articulated that intent, so all officers had a chance to apply it consistently.
The change would not allow fleeing drivers to go unpunished, he said, but would instead ensure the safety of anyone put at risk by car chases.
“We still want these drivers to be held accountable, but we want our business, our part of it, to be run in a really safe way.
“Safety comes first, we have to think of all road users, our staff, the public and even the people in the vehicle … probably not even their own choice.
“They don’t need to be involved in anything that could put them at risk. It’s about safety.”
The review has been well received by Commissioner for Children Andrew Becroft, who has long called for a rethink of chases that specifically involve young drivers.
“I am very happy, I think it is constructive, it is a step in the right direction, it will save lives and I am glad that it arrives just before the Christmas season …”
“We know that when there are children or young people driving in the car, they can act in the most foolish, reckless and irresponsible way.”
“Sometimes what you want is the thrill of the chase …”
Judge Becroft said he would still like to see a total ban on car chases involving young drivers or passengers, unless it is a matter of life or death or very serious.
That would be in line with international best practice, he said, and with policies like Queensland, where the police can only act in dire circumstances.
“It is not a coward, it is not an easy option to retire. It is the right thing to do in most cases and it will save lives.”
The modified policy is coming under fire from National Police spokesman Simeon Brown.
In a statement, he said the change hampered the officers’ ability to pursue them.
“While it is important to recognize the risk posed by police pursuits, this new policy will embolden criminals who now know that agents cannot pursue them,” he added.
“Our frontline police need all the tools to do their job.”
Brown called on the government to seriously consider increasing penalties for fleeing an officer and said they should fund the police to invest in arrest tools.
The new police policy now reads: “A pursuit is justified only when the threat posed by the vehicle’s occupants before the pursuit begins, and the need to immediately stop the driver and / or passenger (s), outweighs the risk of harm. created by persecution. “
Between 2009 and 2018, 67 people died during police chases.
