Police pursuits lack sound discretion

Yet another police pursuit has tragic consequences. Two offenders driving in a manner that was reckless in the extreme results in a ‘‘Darwin award’’ for both. If that was not bad enough an innocent member of the public, a much-loved mother of five, is killed as well.

When interviewed on Radio New Zealand, Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing Sandra Venables carped on that irresponsible young men have a choice when they decide to flee the police. The reality is that irresponsible young men will continue to make stupid decisions and the real issue is the police policy regarding pursuits. If that was not bad enough, Venables appeared to know little or nothing about a previous comprehensive review into this issue.

Venables also said the police now exercise more discretion when deciding whether or not to pursue a fleeing driver. But clearly, sound discretion was not exercised on this occasion. Surely, it is necessary to have a policy in place that restricts pursuits to cases where the police have grounds to believe the offenders are a threat to public safety if not apprehended.

Perhaps the family of the innocent party killed should take legal action against the flawed decision making of the police officers concerned. That may finally result in sanity regarding the issue of police pursuits.

Bruce Anderson

St Albans

Curbing crims’ speed

Following the crash near Nelson after a police chase, a local resident said the speed limit on that road should be lowered to 80kmh. Excellent idea!

If criminals are not allowed to drive at over 80kmh, that will really help to stop crashes.

I don’t know why we have not thought of it before.

Vic Smith

Halswell