‘Green light’ for criminals

Police tighten controversial no pursuit policy

THE Queensland Police Union say changes to the force’s anti-chase policy coming into effect today have made the controversial directive even more restrictive.

Amendments to the Queensland Police Service pursuit policy will give senior police the power to order beat cops not to chase a car if the offender has already evaded officers.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said while the amendments made the expectation of police clear, the changes made it easier for criminals to get away from officers.

“It’s a continuation of the no pursuit policy … (it’s) made it crystal clear as to what the guidelines are,” he said.

“It is a further tightening of the strings in ensuring there will be a no pursuit policy.

“Police are the laughing stock of the country when it comes to this.

“It is a green light to criminals in Queensland to do as they want, when they want.

“We know we’re failing the community, we know we cannot do our job.

“It is enabling criminals to go on and commit a life of crime and terrorise the community.”

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said the amendments were about providing clarity to officers and keeping the community safe.

“The new policy recognises that when an offender has already evaded interception on at least one recent occasion, it is likely that the driver of the vehicle will continue to evade police, which creates a risk to all road users,” the spokesperson said.

“The protracted following of a vehicle without attempting an interception may cause the vehicle’s driver to attempt to flee the police vehicle.

“If officers are unsure whether an interception should be attempted, they can seek advice from the officers in charge (OICs) and shift supervisors of a police communications centre (PCC).

“An OIC, shift supervisor of a PCC, a regional duty officer, district duty officer or patrol group inspector, after conducting a risk assessment, can determine that no further attempts are to be made to intercept or follow a vehicle involved in recent evasion offences.”

The spokesman said there was no such thing as a “no pursuit” policy.

“Controlled and authorised pursuits are conducted throughout the state as necessary and are governed by the Safe Driving (Pursuits) policy which has been in place since July 2006 and revised in December 2011,” he said.

“All Australian police forces have variations of a restrictive pursuit policy in place.”