Pursuit Management

Suspects in cars who flee from law enforcement place themselves, the officers, and bystanders in hazardous situations. High-speed pursuits often result in property damage and may result in injury or death.

About half of all high-speed pursuits last less than 2 minutes and most last less than 6 minutes. Officers must act instantly, weighing the need to protect public safety against the need to apprehend fleeing suspects.

NIJ's Role

NIJ's research and evaluation portfolio on pursuit management helps make high-speed pursuit safer. Promising approaches include developing a number of ways to stop fleeing vehicles at a distance, such as deflating tires and immobilizing the engine using electromagnetic devices.