I JUST READ THIS AND THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A MATTER OF MUTAL INTEREST FOR COPS. ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN A POLICE OFFICER FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A HIGH SPEED PURSUIT.
IN TWO CASES THE SUPREME’S SAID IN DECIDING THE REASON FOR THE INITIATION OF A HIGH SPEED POLICE PURSUIT IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE COURT TO FOCUS ON THE CULPABILITY OF THE RECKLESS DRIVER.
THE COURT ALSO REFUSED TO FASHION A RULE REQUIRING THE OFFICER(S) TO ABANDON PURSUIT OF FLEEING SUSPECTS WHENEVER THEY DRIVE SO RECKLESSLY THAT THEY PLACE THE LIVES OF THE PUBLIC IN DANGER.
THE SECOND CASE INVOLVED A DRIVER WHO ATTEMPTED TO GET AWAY AFTER BEING BLOCKED IN BY POLICE VEHICLES. DURING THE PURSUIT THE FLEEING VEHICLE PLACED THE PUBLIC IN “GRAVE” DANGER. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO BREAK HIS VEHICLE FREE AND WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY POLICE.
THE COURT IN THIS CASE MADE THE SAME ARGUMENTS ABOUT THE DRIVER, IF LEFT TO HIS OWN DEVICES, WOULD HAVE, ONCE AGAIN, PLACED THE PUBLIC IN GRAVE DANGER.
IN SHOOTING THE SUSPECT THEY “STOPPED THE THREAT’ OF CONTINUED DANGER TO THE PUBLIC.
BOTH CASES WERE DECIDED IN FAVOR OF THE OFFICERS. 7-2 AND 8-1. THE COURT ALSO MADE THE POINT IN BOTH CASES THAT IT WILL NOT BE THE ENTITY TO FORBID POLICE VEHICLE PURSUITS AND REWARD RECKLESS DRIVERS WHO CHOOSE TO FLEE AT HIGH SPEEDS WHEN CONFRONTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.
MARK UP A COUPLE FOR THE GOOD GUYS.
STAY SAFE, BUCKLE UP AND WEAR YOUR VEST!
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