Bill > HB07074

This bill requires the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection to revise the state-wide police pursuit policy in collaboration with several law enforcement and legal organizations, including the Chief State's Attorney and the Police Officer Standards and Training Council. The revised policy must comprehensively address the conditions under which police officers may initiate and discontinue vehicle pursuits, taking into account multiple factors such as public safety, the severity of the suspected offense, risks to officers and the public, traffic and weather conditions, and potential alternative methods of apprehension. Specifically, the policy must outline the circumstances that justify a pursuit (such as when a vehicle occupant is suspected of committing a felony), guidelines for pursuit decision-making, coordination protocols between supervisory personnel and pursuing officers, inter-municipal pursuit procedures, required officer training (potentially including vehicle simulator training), and mandatory reporting requirements when a pursuit is initiated. The bill extends the timeline for periodic policy updates to January 2027, mandating that the policy be reviewed and updated at least once every five years thereafter, ensuring that pursuit guidelines remain current and reflective of best practices in law enforcement.