[Guest]

Just a question to all of you out there. Do any of your departments have policies restricting pursuits for unmarked and 'slick top' cars with no light bar? Was in a pursuit a few days ago and the only avaliable back up was some slick top and unmarked traffic and gang units. Also a few Supervisor SUVs. None of these are allowed to chase unless danger is present- such as shots fired from car and such. They had to call a few units from the NYS police and Onondaga County Sheriffs Dept. to help me. We do not have a small force- City split up into 4 sections- at least 15 cars in each district at any given time= POLICY. To not shorthand those sections- they did not send them to help even though i was at times 2 or three blocks away from them-until it crossed in to their section. Now you guys probably aint aware of our situation. Sherrifs And NYSP patrol areas with no or small police forces. So why should we have short handed those areas to help us out. I mean officer safety is our top priority so why should i wait until those units get there- 4-5 minnutes when there are units 30 seconds away? And sorry bout the length and amount of questions- im new to this. What do you guys think should have been done ?

 

[Guest]

Maybe i should correct myself. all of the unmarked traffic and gang units along with the slick tops have strobes on the visors, headlights grill and rear deck strobes with tail light and reverse light strobes. Also they can pursue unless speeds reach over 50 mph. Then they can stay with the pursuit until marked units back them up. But how would you guys have handled the man power issue ? And do you guys agree or disagree with the policy in your area ?

 

[Guest]

most departments will have thier own policy, but what it all revolves around is the interest of public safety. what was the offense committed? how serious is it? will more danger result if they are not stopped? is a chase in a high traffic area worth the risk that one of you may wreck out and take some civilians with you?

don't get me wrong, im not saying there should be a no chase policy. if the incident to cause the pursuit was serious enough, i dont think it matters if its a slick top with a 4 corner kit and some wigwags joins in... as long as it has a siren, people will get the message.

so to answer your question... i think any type of police unit equipped with lights/sirens should be able to engage if its serious... if thats what you were asking?

 

[Guest]

Thanks for replying guys. i appreciate your thoughts. The offense was suspected dui on a known felon with about 3 warants. 1 was minor traffic, other was for violation of probation and one was for an outstanding weapons charge. I was investigating a suspicious vehicle and upon arrival seen him and ran the plates. But sort of makes ya wonder. He was on porbation, had traffic warrents and had a weapons charge. Why was his P.O. surprised when we notified him that we caught him.