By Cat Reid
KSHB-TV
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Over the past five years, Independence police chases have resulted in payouts totaling $1.1 million.
The department’s current policy says officers can still go after suspects for misdemeanors and traffic offenses, but those pursuits must be avoided or stopped if they “pose unnecessary risk to life or property.” The policy takes into account the fact that departments don’t just face lawsuits; they’re also on the hook for some property damage during chases.
A new technology called StarChase allows officers to track suspects with GPS instead of high-speed chases. The department nabbed 133 criminals that way from 2016-2017.
Full Story: The price of pursuit: Police chases can lead to lawsuits, property damage