LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State Police has changed its policy concerning chases in an effort to protect the lives of everyone in the state.
Under the new policy, MSP can only engage in a chase if there is probable cause to believe the driver or occupant of the pursued vehicle has committed a life-threatening or violent felony. The policy change takes effect Thursday, March 14.
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According to the U.S. Department of Justice, crashes occur in at least 30% of vehicle pursuits, and injuries or fatalities occur in 5-17% of pursuits. Michigan State Police said they have been involved in about 500 pursuits in the last two years.
“High-speed pursuits are one of the most dangerous circumstances police officers face,” said Michigan State Police Director Col. James F Grady. “A key consideration in any pursuit must be the seriousness of the underlying crime and whether the risks of a pursuit outweigh the public safety benefits of immediately apprehending the suspect. In all decisions, protecting lives -- that of innocent bystanders, police officers and fleeing suspects -- is of paramount importance and it is for this reason we have revised our policy.”
More information on the new policy can be found on Michigan State Police’s Transparency and Accountability website.