When Do Police in Georgia Engage in Chases?
LAURENS COUNTY, GA- 13wmaz.com writes that the Atlanta police department recently informed the public that it would not be conducting suspect chases on the roadway. In Monroe County, one sheriff stated that his officers engage in chases several times a month. Police pursuits are often controversial issues because while it seems wrong for suspects to be able to leave the scene and elude law enforcement, the chases themselves often put the public in harm’s way.*
In many cases, the chases may be more dangerous than the person being pursued. The issue has gotten more attention in Georgia following a recent crash that killed two bystanders and another that cost a police officer his life.
In Monroe, a traffic violation may be enough for an officer to engage in a pursuit of that suspect. The sheriff states that this does not mean that the officers are chasing without thought or concern. When choosing whether or not to pursue, several issues are considered, including whether the driver presents a risk and whether the chase is going to cause dangers to the public.
While some departments have strict rules regarding when officers may initiate a chase, others say that limiting officers creates a problem and lowers the effectiveness of law enforcement departments. In towns where there are lots of people out on the road, most departments will opt out of pursuing a fleeing suspect because of the risks to the public. More veteran officers frequently have a more limited approach to pursuits. After seeing the risks inherent to chases, many say that only the most serious violent offenders would prompt them to engage in a pursuit.
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Sources:https://www.13wmaz.com/article/news/local/monroe-county-laurens-warner-robins-high-speed-chase-central-georgia-pit-maneuvers-law-enforcement-agencies-choose-when-to-chase/93-0261f5ec-0fe6-47cd-a03d-d8624a320e86 and https://www.wsav.com/crime-safety/when-are-police-chases-appropriate-we-asked-georgia-state-patrol