For decades pursuits have been considered a viable procedure for police agenciesas a crime control tool. However, continued increases in population and urban sprawl, coupled with technological advances and increased use of automobiles, have resulted in pursuit policies and training coming under increased scrutiny. This intense questioning of the viability of pursuits has been led by the public which has witnessed, through the media, a growing number of pursuit related accidents. This growing public concern has prompted legislatures to enact laws directing the operations of police during pursuits. Also, the courts have handed down rulings further hampering the discretion of police in relation to pursuits. These actions have created impotency among many police agencies who find themselves unable to respond effectively to either the courts and law makers, or to the criminals.
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