Michigan State Police has announced a new pursuit policy to enhance public safety and reduce the inherent risks involved with police pursuits.
The policy, aligned with best practices, is designed to protect the lives of innocent bystanders and enforcement members and reassure the public of their security.
The announcement was made on Thursday (March 14) by the Director of MSP, Colonel James F. Grady II.
Under the new policy, Michigan State Police enforcement members are authorized to initiate a pursuit only if there is credible evidence to suggest that the driver or occupant of the pursued vehicle has committed a life-threatening or violent felony.
“High-speed pursuits are one of the most dangerous circumstances police officers face,” said Grady II. “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.”
According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice, MSP engaged in 235 pursuits in 2022. The report also indicated that pursuits increased by one to 236 in 2023.
Reports indicate that MSP members have been involved in 33 pursuits.
Stats from the U.S. Department of Justice indicate that crashes occur in at least 30% of vehicle pursuits, and injuries or fatalities occur in 5 to 17% of pursuits nationally.
