Concerned about public safety in high-speed chases
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Editor,
I don’t want this to seem like finger-pointing at police officers. When a citizen is faced with a gun and badge, they need to conform, and being drunk or high is no excuse.
But maybe the following needs to be added to the conversation concerning the police/citizen interface.
Some jurisdictions have tried to eliminate high-speed chases for several reasons. One, there is an obvious risk to the officers and public and yes, even the suspect. Especially in built-up areas even pedestrians are threatened and very often there is at least one crash before it ends.
There’s another factor I read about in a book by Malcom Gladwell. When a cop is chasing someone at high speeds, particularly through a city, by the time the suspect is stopped, the officer is so angry and full of fright/flight adrenaline his heart rate may be through the roof and pretty much unable to make rational decisions and bad things happen.
What is the solution? It would defy every instinct for a cop to let a suspect drive away without giving chase. But at that point there is probably a good description of the vehicle, maybe even a license number, and the threat to the public, the officer and again, the possibly immature young driver, may outweigh the immediacy of apprehending the suspect.
I’m not saying any recent incidents reflect impaired judgment on the part of the police, but the possibility exists and at least needs to be discussed.
Steve Wheat
Polson
