Vic police union targets pursuit policy

WHAT THE VICTORIAN POLICE ASSOCIATION WANTS

Why the union thinks the pursuit policy is no good:

* Offenders engage in baiting behaviour because they know police won't pursue them

* Public take matters into their own hands

* Policy denies members the ability to properly weigh up risks and benefits of pursuit

Union members say:

* "Drink-drivers are just U-turning from booze buses as they know there is no consequence"

* "There are many more occurrences of people evading police"

* "They know that we will not pursue, so the choice to flee becomes too convenient for them"

Police Association recommendations include:

* Emphasis on situations where members CAN pursue, rather than when they can't

* Policy to be simplified

* Decision to pursue based on risks associated with driving, environmental conditions and actual incident factors

* A pursuit co-ordinator role be created, and fully trained in risk assessment

* Aerial support available 24/7 to enable police to stop ground pursuit and adopt aerial observation

* Update technology to better equip police in pursuit

SOURCE: The Police Association Victoria