The police have a duty to serve and protect the citizens. On one hand, this means that dangerous criminals who put the lives of others at danger must be apprehended. However, what happens when an attempt to apprehend a criminal puts innocent lives in danger? When do the police have a responsibility to call off a car chase or refuse to use deadly force?
There Needs to Be Room to Maneuver
The police need enough room to make sudden turns or change lanes without hurting people. In cases where a driver is going the wrong way down a highway or a busy street, it may be better for the police to put out a bulletin giving drivers on that road as much warning as possible. In the event that a chase goes down a residential street where kids may be playing or residents may be out for a walk, it is often better to stop the chase.
If you are involved in an accident during a high speed chase you should contact a personal injury attorney. If you do not have an attorney, a local Internet search like “Independence auto crash attorney” for Missouri for example, or “car accident lawyer for __,” and adding your location, will provide many relevant search results.
Why Stop a Car Chase?
A driver who is going 100 miles per hour on the highway or going the wrong way on the highway is doing so out of desperation in most cases. If a driver is not drunk, he or she will be more likely to go with traffic or drive slower because there is no risk of being caught while blending in. While this can make it harder for the police to catch a criminal, there will be other chances to do so later.
What If the Accused Is Under the Influence?
Dealing with a drunk criminal is much different than dealing with a sober criminal. Unfortunately, there isn’t much that you can do to control the actions of someone who is operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs or has a gun in his or her hand.
Putting down spikes or forcing the car to stop through a tactical maneuver may be of limited success or harm the driver unnecessarily. The best decision may be to get everyone off of the streets and let the driver come to a stop on his or her own. In the case of a gunman, the only option may be to negotiate.
What About the Life of the Accused?
Although the life of the driver may not seem to be important, those accused of a crime are granted certain rights that ensure that they are not harmed during capture. Additionally, they are considered to be innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, their rights cannot be violated based on a presumption of guilt. One wrong move could not only jeopardize the chances of convicting a criminal as well as getting someone in a house hurt or killed because a gunman was spooked or lashed out in anger.
The police have a duty to both catch those who break the law as well as protect those who abide by the law. It is a fine line that has to be walked at all times. When police are pursuing a driver, it is important that they don’t make a dangerous situation a fatal accident.
Author Bio:
Teresa Stewart is a professional blogger who frequently researches car accidents. She has found that high speed chases are becoming more prevalent, and that one Independence auto crash attorney with over 40 years of experience is helping victims get compensation to rebuild their lives.
Photo credit: Flickr Creative Commons
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