MSP is changing its policy on vehicle pursuits, aiming to reduce the risk of injury or death to innocent bystanders, troopers, and the suspect(s), says Col. Grady, Director of the Michigan State Police Department.
The new policy, effective immediately, strictly states that troopers may engage in pursuits if they have reason to believe that the driver or an occupant of the vehicle being pursued has committed a life-threatening or violent felony crime.
In 2022, MSP troopers were involved in 235 pursuits - that number increased by one in 2023. So far in 2024, MSP has been involved in 33 vehicle pursuits.
“High-speed pursuits are one of the most dangerous circumstances police officers face,” stated Grady. “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.”
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