In this letter I hope to address and provide insights on police and other law enforcement agencies’ policies and procedures during a hot pursuit.

During such a scenario, a police officer will weigh and assess the risk a fleeing suspect in a vehicle may pose to the public if allowed to escape versus the danger the hot pursuit presents.

A wrong decision can lead to deaths and damage to property. The decision of police officers whether to initiate or end such a pursuit involves critical factors.

Most importantly, they must be capable of assessing the need to apprehend the suspect without posing any potential risk to the public and other officers involved in the hot pursuit.

Other factors that police officers must consider before conducting a hot pursuit are the nature of the crime, speed, vehicle control, pedestrian and traffic volume, familiarity with the area, road conditions and weather.

Hot pursuits are unnecessary if the suspect’s identity has been established and the nature of the crime is not serious.

In such cases, the suspect can be apprehended later.

Under such circumstances, hot pursuits should not be initiated and should be terminated once information has been obtained about a suspect, especially if the nature of the crime is not serious.

Professionally-trained police officers and other law enforcement officers generally prohibit their officers from pursuing suspects for non-serious crimes.

Hot pursuit training addresses skills, accountability, responsibility and procedures when a chase is initiated and terminated.

Police and enforcers must restrict hot pursuits under the following conditions and circumstances:

A serious crime was committed that involved the use or threat of force and violence;

The suspect poses an imminent danger to the public that outweighs the risks posed by hot pursuit;

The suspect is capable of suicide; and,

The suspect is on the police and other law enforcement agencies’ wanted list.

Therefore, policy and procedure are top priority on issues related to hot pursuits.

Another crucial component is the training required for hot pursuits. Besides classroom training, defensive driving lessons under simulated conditions and obstacles are a must.

Last but not least, training on the use of discretion and decision-making regarding the initiation and termination of hot pursuits based on policy and procedure is crucial.

DATUK DR P. SUNDRAMOORTHY
Honorary Associate Professor
School of Social Sciences,
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang

This letter was first posted to NST.