Statewide — A new statewide policy on minimum standards for vehicle pursuits went into effect on New Year’s Day Sunday.
It was in November that the Law Enforcement Training Board (LETB) established the Uniform Statewide Policy on Minimum Standards for Vehicle Pursuits and it was required to be incorporated into the policies, procedures, and general orders of all Indiana law enforcement agencies no later than January 1.
Under the policy, a pursuit should not begin or continue when the need for immediate arrest is very low and the risk to public safety is high.
Other factors officers must consider before beginning a vehicle pursuit include the time of day; the officer’s familiarity with the surroundings and population density; potential danger if the offender is not taken into custody immediately, and the positive identification of the driver.
The LETB has also established a policy on the use of deadly force, which takes effect on January 1, 2024.
The policy must replace any agency’s deadly force by the effective date.
The agency says a delay in the adoption of this policy will allow the LETB to develop a robust and detailed training program for law enforcement officers.
Please click here for more information on both policies.
