Do Police Have To Withdraw From A Chase If It Becomes Unsafe?

[phill977]

"in australia, police must withdraw from a chase if the speeds reached are unsafe for all parties involved. i know of many police chases that have gone to the favour of the one being pursued."

Some guy said that to me, and i have looked it up and cannot find anything about that.

Anyone know if it's true or not?

[Nautsabes]

Yes. It's true.

[lemon_lover]

Yes, they back off and then once he slows down the helicopter reports the location and it starts all over.

[Skippy!]

How stupid. Australia's laws are all really dumb.

[Gaeel]

In most countries the police have a "no unnecessary risks" rule, with similar interpretation to the "no unecessary violence" rule.

What I mean is that by definition, a chase is never "safe", it's almost always over the speed limit and involves driving through and around civilian traffic that may or may not be aware that a chase is going on.

If there is an accident and someone gets hurt (including the chasee, since the police are supposed to stop him, not kill him) a police officer who has lost control of his vehicle because of reckless driving may lose his badge or at least be up for observation.

At least, that's the way it is in France, I know a cop who had an investigation on his case due to a foot chase gone bad, he accidentally bumped and hurt a kid who was coming round a corner while he was running after a drug dealer.

[ashxu]

[QUOTE=Skippy!;19776672]How stupid. Australia's laws are all really dumb.[/QUOTE]

i have to agree with you :frown:

dumbe water restrictions :argh: