01/09
   TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (UPI) -- The Florida Highway Patrol has
directed troopers to quit chasing all but the most dangerous
suspects, citing the potential for crashes involving innocent
motorists during high-speed chases.
   The new policy calls for troopers to give chase only when the
driver is suspected of committing a violent felony such as armed
robbery or murder, or is "reasonably thought to be violent and pose
a danger to the public at large."
   "The issue is pretty clear," said FHP spokesman Mike Boles. "You
can't put innocent people, the trooper or the person being chased,
at risk of being killed...for nothing more than a traffic
violation."
   Police departments across the state have adopted similar policies
because of a recent Florida Supreme Court ruling that said police
could be held financially liable for accidents during chases.
   "I see both sides, and I understand the need for the policy
changes, " said Miami Police spokesman David Magnusson. "But when
word gets out...you're going to have people running away from
officers all the time. If they've got a bad license, they're going
to kick it up to warp speed and run on down the street."
   Miami's police department still allows officers to chase any driver who tries
to avoid apprehension. But it has strict "rules of engagement" requiring
officers to notify supervisors immediately and to constantly evaluate weather,
traffic and other circumstances that could affect safety.
   The FHP will not assist other departments in pursuits unless the
chase would have been initiated under the FHP's own policy, Boles
said.
   The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that
there are between 25,000 and 50,000 pursuits a year among thousands
of U.S. police agencies.
   Between 1989 and 1991, 924 people died in high-speed chases. The
NHTSA said 737 of them were in the fleeing vehicles, nine were
police officers and the rest were innocent third parties.
   A University of Michigan study showed that seven in 10 pursuits
resulted in accidents, three of seven in injury, and one in 35
pursuits resulted in deaths.