ATLANTA — Following what experts call a “significant” increase in police chases that leave hundreds of people dead and many more injured each year, a new study is urging law enforcement agencies across the county to re-evaluate their policies governing pursuits and weigh their risk against their reward.
The report, which was released Tuesday by Washington-based think tank Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), says data that shows an increasing amount of injuries stemming from pursuits suggests engaging in one may “not always be worth the risks,” particularly when there are other means of apprehending a suspect.
The study comes as police departments across the country continue to face broad scrutiny over various policies and officer conduct that some say favor gaining compliance and bringing people into custody over ensuring public safety.
In the U.S. there were 455 fatal crashes that resulted from police pursuits in 2020, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The International Association of Chiefs of Police found that 23.5% of police chases had a “negative outcome,” including crashes, injuries and property damage.