Police union boss defends pursuits after young drivers' crash

The head of the Police Association is defending the pursuit policy for young fleeing drivers, as youth advocates continue to call for its suspension and more research. The debate has re-emerged after the latest pursuit in West Auckland on Monday night, when a 13 and 14 year-old were hospitalised after the stolen car they were in slammed into a traffic light. Police earlier this year said they were open to considering a one-year no-pursuit policy and were in talks with the Children's Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft, who thinks police shouldn't pursue young drivers unless there's a serious threat. It followed a review by the Independent Police Conduct Authority, which found that police needed to do more research on why drivers flee. The president of the Police Association Chris Cahill told RNZ youth affairs reporter Katie Doyle a no-pursuit policy isn't really practical.