22 Jun 2010

Pursuit rules need tweaking only, says Broad

9:13 am on 22 June 2010

An internal review of police pursuits policy has found only minor tweaking is needed, says Police Commissioner Howard Broad.

Mr Broad says the guidelines appear to be sound, but police will look at some small changes.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority is to investigate a pursuit by police in Christchurch at the weekend, after a car crashed into a tree, killing the driver.

The 22-year-old man's death is the seventh associated with a police chase this year.

Mr Broad says police will look more closely at the role of the officer in the passenger seat during the pursuit, and how police vehicles are co-ordinated.

But the main message is that if a police officer indicates someone should stop, that motorist should comply and pull over immediately, he says.