ChatterBank1 min ago
Another Unnecessary Death
just before Christmas of a 53 year old mother of three in a Police chase of a stolen car. Is it worth her life? The police seem to revel in a chase1
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It's not just that a car has been stolen. It is being driven with no insurance, probably no licence/disqualified, maybe by a driver under drunk or drugged up, possibly to carry out other crimes or taken to a chop shop to be made into potentially dangerous cut and shut cars.
They have no regard for the law or other people and they don't have to be chased by police to kill innocent victims, like this one https:/
They have no regard for the law or other people and they don't have to be chased by police to kill innocent victims, like this one https:/
Police pursuit drivers are highly trained and a pursuit will be called off if there is danger of a member of the public is at risk of serious injury or death. It would be wrong not to pursue those committing motoring offences and it is often found that those committing offences such as failing to stop are guilty of other offences. The driver of the police car will have to justify his actions to his superiors, and should he be guilty of any driving offences he will be treated like anyone else.
It is extremely sad that the lady has died, but it is not wholly due to the action of the police.
It is extremely sad that the lady has died, but it is not wholly due to the action of the police.
It is not the fault of the police in any way - it is a direct result of a car theft and the thief is responsible.
The police can't just start a pursuit willy-nilly, they have to get permission from a senior officer and are held to account if things go wrong and can end up in court https:/
The police can't just start a pursuit willy-nilly, they have to get permission from a senior officer and are held to account if things go wrong and can end up in court https:/
// It is extremely sad that the lady has died, but it is not wholly due to the action of the police. //
// Police pursuit drivers are highly trained and a pursuit will be called off if there is danger of a member of the public is at risk of serious injury or death. //
The likelihood is that the owner of the stolen car was fully insured.
Let's say the car was worth £30,000. Weighed up against the cost of one human life, it seems small reward even if the police are successful in catching the thief in their inevitably risky and dangerous pursuit.
Could it be then the driver of the unmarked police-car is guilty of failing to recognize there was a significant danger to the public?
// Police pursuit drivers are highly trained and a pursuit will be called off if there is danger of a member of the public is at risk of serious injury or death. //
The likelihood is that the owner of the stolen car was fully insured.
Let's say the car was worth £30,000. Weighed up against the cost of one human life, it seems small reward even if the police are successful in catching the thief in their inevitably risky and dangerous pursuit.
Could it be then the driver of the unmarked police-car is guilty of failing to recognize there was a significant danger to the public?
Zebu - // Could it be then the driver of the unmarked police-car is guilty of failing to recognize there was a significant danger to the public? //
Police officers in pursuits must give a running commentary to control where a senior officer will monitor risks, and if necessary, terminate a pursuit.
A pursuit is something no officer wants, contrary to Stargazer's assertion - for obvious reasons, and pursuit must be avoided if possible, and brought to a conclusion asap in order to minimise risk of loss of life to anyone involved, or innocent members of the public.
Any pursuit is a calculated risk, and by definition, given the speed at which events unfold, no-one can accurately assess the dangers at any time, which can occur in nanoseconds, and be beyond anyone to avoid or prevent.
That has to be balanced against the knowledge that failure to pursue gives carte blanche to criminals, who are far more dangerous and likely to cause fatalities than the trained and experienced officers trying to stop them.
Police officers in pursuits must give a running commentary to control where a senior officer will monitor risks, and if necessary, terminate a pursuit.
A pursuit is something no officer wants, contrary to Stargazer's assertion - for obvious reasons, and pursuit must be avoided if possible, and brought to a conclusion asap in order to minimise risk of loss of life to anyone involved, or innocent members of the public.
Any pursuit is a calculated risk, and by definition, given the speed at which events unfold, no-one can accurately assess the dangers at any time, which can occur in nanoseconds, and be beyond anyone to avoid or prevent.
That has to be balanced against the knowledge that failure to pursue gives carte blanche to criminals, who are far more dangerous and likely to cause fatalities than the trained and experienced officers trying to stop them.
// The police can't just start a pursuit willy-nilly //
Is it not reasonable to suggest, in a lot of incidents, up until the point where the police car activates its blue lights, the suspected stolen vehicle is not being driven recklessly. Therefore there is no need to initiate a police chase.
Let the police car hang back, act in a manner which suggests it is oblivious to the car being suspected as stolen.
Instead let the police rely upon technology.
Dash cam footage, appealing to the public, cctv capture and ANPR, even helicopter.
Surely this would be a safer route to go down. Thus apprehending the suspected thief later.
Is it not reasonable to suggest, in a lot of incidents, up until the point where the police car activates its blue lights, the suspected stolen vehicle is not being driven recklessly. Therefore there is no need to initiate a police chase.
Let the police car hang back, act in a manner which suggests it is oblivious to the car being suspected as stolen.
Instead let the police rely upon technology.
Dash cam footage, appealing to the public, cctv capture and ANPR, even helicopter.
Surely this would be a safer route to go down. Thus apprehending the suspected thief later.
// car thieves put lives in danger as soon as they start the engine //
Once a police car gets involved in a police chase, doesn't the risk to the public now double?I
Should a third or fourth police vehicle participate in the pursuit, isn't the the liklihood that the dangers to other road users and pedestrians is now tripled/quadrupled?
Once a police car gets involved in a police chase, doesn't the risk to the public now double?I
Should a third or fourth police vehicle participate in the pursuit, isn't the the liklihood that the dangers to other road users and pedestrians is now tripled/quadrupled?
// carte blanche to criminals,//
It appears carte blanche is now in favour of the police. Since changes to the law, this is now effectively the case.
Excerpt from the Guatdian;
Quote... In May 2019, proposed changes to UK law, protecting officers from lengthy investigation after chases gone wrong, were approved by the Home Office. “We’ve got their back,” Sajid Javid said in a tweet.... Unquote.
Since those changes in the law, it is my guess, the inevitable IOPC investigations that will ensue after a 22 year old pedestrian killed the other day (Xmas eve) by a marked police car in Liverpool, will be almost cursory and conclude as... 'the police just doing their job'.
It appears carte blanche is now in favour of the police. Since changes to the law, this is now effectively the case.
Excerpt from the Guatdian;
Quote... In May 2019, proposed changes to UK law, protecting officers from lengthy investigation after chases gone wrong, were approved by the Home Office. “We’ve got their back,” Sajid Javid said in a tweet.... Unquote.
Since those changes in the law, it is my guess, the inevitable IOPC investigations that will ensue after a 22 year old pedestrian killed the other day (Xmas eve) by a marked police car in Liverpool, will be almost cursory and conclude as... 'the police just doing their job'.
I suggest you watch a few episodes of "Police Intercepters" or similar on Channel 5 and note how frequently the police do hang back until they are noticed by the baddies. The police constantly report on the safety of the situation and often abandon chases if they feel they are getting dangerous. You will also see the completely care-free attitude of the baddies.
