Countywide guidance for who and when officers initiate pursuits is complete.The Hamilton County Association of Chiefs of Police spent 18 months working on the joint guidance, which culminated in a 14-page document and also changes Cincinnati and Hamilton County's pursuit communications plan within the dispatch centers. The guidance will lead to changes, some major and slight and dozens of the county's 43 police departments. It's an attempt to get all the agencies on the same page when it comes to pursuits that can be dangerous and deadly."Some people think we should chase everybody, and then there's people that don't think we should chase anybody," Blue Ash police Chief Scott Noel said. The group, now headed by Montgomery Police Chief John Crowell, spent months researching, consulting with legal experts and weighing input from thousands of community members. The purpose is uniformity maximizing "effectiveness, efficiency and concern for public and personnel safety" during pursuits and to "minimize the potential for pursuit-related collisions."The guidance states a pursuit can only be initiated when "the officer is attempting to apprehend a suspect in a serious offense of violence" or if there is a "risk of serious physical harm to others or the officer."Pursuits are to be terminated when the risk of continuing appears to outweigh the risk of the suspect's escape. They are only permitted with lights and sirens. Dash cameras are to be turned on if the cruiser has them.The supervisor bears the final responsibility for decision-making. Pursuit interventions like pit maneuvers, ramming or stop sticks require supervisor approval. Cincinnati police revised its pursuit policy late February. It is in line with the county guidance but more restrictive, only allowing chases for violent felony offenses or exceptions like wrong way drivers on major roads. Plainclothes officers or officers in unmarked cars are no longer allowed to initiate pursuits. WLWT reached out to several departments Thursday to see which ones plan to adopt the guidance for the Hamilton County Association of Chiefs of Police. WLWT heard back from 15 departments so far. Here is where they stand.Departments confirming they will adopt the policy, possibly with modifications:Amberley Village Blue AshDelhi TownshipGreenhillsMontgomeryNewtownNorwoodSpringdaleWoodlawnThe Mt. Healthy police department chief said its policy is already more restrictive than the guidance decided upon. Several other departments echoed those sentiments. Departments still deciding but "likely to adopt" the guidance:CheviotGolf ManorElmwood PlaceIndian Hill
Countywide guidance for who and when officers initiate pursuits is complete.
The Hamilton County Association of Chiefs of Police spent 18 months working on the joint guidance, which culminated in a 14-page document and also changes Cincinnati and Hamilton County's pursuit communications plan within the dispatch centers.
The guidance will lead to changes, some major and slight and dozens of the county's 43 police departments. It's an attempt to get all the agencies on the same page when it comes to pursuits that can be dangerous and deadly.
"Some people think we should chase everybody, and then there's people that don't think we should chase anybody," Blue Ash police Chief Scott Noel said.
The group, now headed by Montgomery Police Chief John Crowell, spent months researching, consulting with legal experts and weighing input from thousands of community members.
The purpose is uniformity maximizing "effectiveness, efficiency and concern for public and personnel safety" during pursuits and to "minimize the potential for pursuit-related collisions."
The guidance states a pursuit can only be initiated when "the officer is attempting to apprehend a suspect in a serious offense of violence" or if there is a "risk of serious physical harm to others or the officer."
Pursuits are to be terminated when the risk of continuing appears to outweigh the risk of the suspect's escape. They are only permitted with lights and sirens. Dash cameras are to be turned on if the cruiser has them.
The supervisor bears the final responsibility for decision-making. Pursuit interventions like pit maneuvers, ramming or stop sticks require supervisor approval.
Cincinnati police revised its pursuit policy late February. It is in line with the county guidance but more restrictive, only allowing chases for violent felony offenses or exceptions like wrong way drivers on major roads. Plainclothes officers or officers in unmarked cars are no longer allowed to initiate pursuits.
WLWT reached out to several departments Thursday to see which ones plan to adopt the guidance for the Hamilton County Association of Chiefs of Police. WLWT heard back from 15 departments so far. Here is where they stand.
Departments confirming they will adopt the policy, possibly with modifications:
Amberley Village
Blue Ash
Delhi Township
Greenhills
Montgomery
Newtown
Norwood
Springdale
Woodlawn
The Mt. Healthy police department chief said its policy is already more restrictive than the guidance decided upon. Several other departments echoed those sentiments.
Departments still deciding but "likely to adopt" the guidance:
Cheviot
Golf Manor
Elmwood Place
Indian Hill
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