This paper examines how law enforcement officials, as well as other agencies, have begun to examine the impact of police
pursuits on society at large, the officer, and the offender, and how it is a volatile topic that has received much attention from the media and the public. It debates whether we can justify the need for
high-speed chases to catch a speeder or car thief when, too often, the result is a fatality of an innocent victim who happens to be in the line of pursuit. It discusses how
policies need to be defined and officers need to be educated about making the decision to pursue or not pursue and how, without clear and concise policies, negative outcomes can result, which can prove costly to the department and the municipality.