Toward the Development of a Pursuit Decision Calculus: Pursuit Benefits Versus Pursuit Cost

• NCJ Number: 180321
• Journal: Justice Research and Policy Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: Fall 1999 Pages: 23-41
• Author(s): Thomas J. Madden; Geoffrey P. Alpert
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): 93-IJ-CX-0061
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

Data from official pursuit forms generated by police officers in the Miami-Dade Police Department were used to study costs and benefits of police pursuits and to help police officers make unbiased decisions about whether to pursue a fleeing vehicle.

Abstract

Log-linear models were employed to identify direct and interactive effects of pursuit characteristics. After significant effects were found, odds ratios were calculated. Findings showed that certain pursuit characteristics, such as number of units and speed, significantly increased the likelihood of pursuits resulting in costs to society. These costs included personal injury or property damage. Recommendations to refine future research on police pursuits are offered. 16 references, 9 tables, and 3 figures