After the 16
th
Police chase-related death this year the Police must re-evaluate their criteria for pursuing offenders, Green Party Police spokesperson Keith Locke said today.
Over the weekend two more people died in separate incidents after police chases.
“There is a strong argument that reducing the number of chases would save lives,” said Mr Locke.
“The Police should revisit the recommendation of the Independent Police Conduct Authority that pursuits should be engaged in only for serious offending.
“The Authority points out that the benefits from pursuing a person for minor offending does not outweigh the risks.
“It is unfortunate that Judith Collins – the current Minister of Police is set against a more moderate policy,” said Mr Locke.
“We should also look to other jurisdictions which have a lower rate of deaths per capita as a result of using a policy not to pursue people suspected of minor traffic violations.
“Queensland, for example, only pursues a driver if there is a danger to life, or that person is suspected of having committed a serious offence.
“We owe it to the families of all those killed and injured to explore other options than the current hard-line policy,” Mr Locke said.
Link to the IPCA pursuit review:
http://www.ipca.govt.nz/Site/media/2009/2009-Oct13-Pursuits-Review.aspx