Police fleets slammed for unnecessary risk taking

Date: 19 September 2007   |   Author: John Mahoney

Previously the IPCC published a report in 2004 that resulted in it declaring publicly that there was an "unacceptable death toll" in police-related crashes.

Today's report was less damning but still recommended fundamental changes, such as advising against using off-roaders and vans for high-speed response on the grounds of the handling deficiency compared to cars.

Cuts were also called for pursuing vulnerable motorcycles and that pursuits should be limited to cases of serious crime.

Some 43 police forces across the country were put under the IPCC's spotlight and the publishing of its findings follows on from a recent investigation into the M4 accident that occurred in South Wales earlier this week.

Currently, most forces seek advice from the Association of Chief Police Officers guidelines, but the list of rules of engagement are advisory rather than compulsory.

IPCC chair Nick Hardwick wants this changed for the latter and warned a shift in philosophy was needed by police forces.

"The danger is that officers initiate a pursuit and without any tactics available to end it simply wait until 'something happens'."

Hardwick did concede most chases were short-lived and involved "split-second decisions", but that all pursuits were "potentially risky and dangerous - for the drivers of the pursued vehicle, other road users and pedestrians and the police drivers themselves".

The IPCC also recommended increasing the number of black boxes fitted from a third of vehicles to all pursuit vehicles and that all traffic officers should have video recording equipment.

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