Police pursuits under review as officers report 300 incidents a month

Friday, 10 November 2017

Police pursuits are under the microscope after police revealed they engage in about 300 fleeing driver events a month.

New Zealand Police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) have been working together since July to review pursuits. 

About nine drivers a day attempted to flee police last year.

Although fleeing driver events represented just 0.1 per cent of vehicle stops each year, police said they were 'challenging, dynamic and complex events'. 

**READ MORE:

* Fleeing driver crashes into couple's bedroom at 3am

* Driver reverses into cop car before running off into bush

* Take fleeing drivers' cars, says Police Association

* Police forced to abandon pursuits**

'Drivers who choose to undertake high-risk driving behaviour when failing to stop for police increase the risk to themselves and the public, including the risk of serious injury or fatality.'

In June, the Police Association sought harsher punishments for fleeing drivers, including taking their cars off them.

The current review was expected to help police understand the environments in which pursuits take place, and to identify best practice for management of the events.

A report was expected to be made public in late 2018.