Safer Police Vehicle Pursuits – How to Reduce Risks and Fatalities

Police chases are often thrilling highlights in action movies—filled with explosions, dramatic crashes, and, of course, heroic endings. But real-life police pursuits frequently lead to serious injuries and fatalities among officers, suspects, or innocent bystanders. This raises a critical challenge: should law enforcement initiate a high-risk pursuit, or is there a safer, more effective way to stop the offender? The answer is never simple. Fortunately, a new initiative is working on innovative solutions to make police pursuits safer and more efficient.

With public safety at stake, law enforcement must find a balance between apprehending suspects and minimising risk of fatal incidents. Having this in mind, the European Union has launched the INTERCEPT project—an initiative aimed at developing innovative solutions of remote vehicle stopping, to make police pursuits safer and more controlled.

This article delves into the complexities of police vehicle pursuits, examining the risks, and the role of cutting-edge technologies in reducing dangers. It also introduces INTERCEPT’s efforts redefining the future of law enforcement.

For an in-depth look at the project, including its scope, rationale, and methodology, explore our publication: „Insight #1 – Innovating Through Public Procurement”.

Challenges of Police Pursuits

Before initiating a chase, officers must assess multiple factors within seconds, including the immediate risk posed by the suspect and potential hazards to public safety. Many European policies emphasise that officers should conduct a continuous risk assessment, ensuring that any pursuit minimises the potential threat to public safety. Superintendent John Gelderblom from the Netherlands Police states:

Factors that must be considered by police officers include:

• The topography of the area - in congested cities, narrow streets, heavy traffic, and unpredictable pedestrians significantly heighten the risk of accidents during police pursuits. Conversely, open highways may appear safer but allow for excessive speeds, escalating the severity of potential crashes.
• Environmental conditions, such as rain, snow, or ice. In some cases, weather may make it too dangerous to pursue at high speeds.
• Suspect’s vehicle type and capabilities—although police can pursue motorcycles, chasing in high speeds can rapidly become unsafe. On the other hand, older or damaged vehicles may seem easier to stop since they have limited capabilities—yet desperate suspects might engage in unpredictable and reckless behaviour to evade capture.
• Suspect’s behaviour—officers must quickly assess not only what the suspect has done but also how they are reacting in real-time. A suspect who panics or exhibits reckless driving patterns can pose an immediate threat to public safety, turning what might have been a controlled stop into a dangerous chase.

Yet, these assessments rely heavily on personal judgment, which can be challenging in fast-moving, unpredictable situations. Some countries, such as Poland, impose stricter regulations, permitting pursuits only when an officer has information about the alleged direction of movement of the pursued person. Such approach aims to limit unnecessary chases and reduce collateral damage. However, in regions where the guidelines remain broad, the pressure is on officers to make decisions with potentially life-altering consequences. Misjudgements made in these high-pressure moments often escalate the situation unnecessarily, resulting in severe consequences.

Accessible Alternatives to Pursuits

To reduce the dangers of high-speed chases, police officers can choose a different form of surveillance. These tactics aim to minimize risks to officers, suspects, and bystanders while still ensuring that offenders are apprehended effectively. Some of the most commonly used and emerging alternatives include:

• GPS tracking devices to monitor a suspect’s location remotely. Officers can place GPS devices on vehicles of interest in cases where prior surveillance is possible. Sometimes, patrol cars are equipped with launchers that shoot a GPS tag onto a suspect’s car, allowing officers to track their movements without immediate pursuit. By using GPS tracking, officers can let the suspect continue driving while coordinating a safer interception strategy based on real-time data.
• Roadblocks—locking off key escape routes forces the suspect to either stop or take a predetermined path where officers can control the situation.
• Spike strips—these devices, laid across the road, puncture the tires of a fleeing vehicle, gradually deflating them rather than causing an immediate loss of control.
• The Grappler Police Bumper is an innovative device designed to bring pursuits to an end without ramming the suspect’s vehicle. Mounted on the front of a police car, the Grappler deploys a reinforced net that ensnares the suspect’s rear wheels, locking them and preventing further movement. As a result, the vehicle is stopped safely without causing a violent crash.

However, many of these methods still have limitations—GPS tracking usually requires prior deployment, spike strips are effective only in controlled scenarios, and roadblocks are not always immediately available.

Smarter Future: Making Police Pursuits Safer

To further enhance police capabilities and minimize the dangers of pursuits, the European Union launched the INTERCEPT project. Its aim is to lay foundation for future pre-commercial procurement solutions of remote vehicle stopping. The initiative seeks to mitigate the dangers of police pursuits by developing scalable and effective technologies enabling authorities to safely neutralise high-risk situations.

How might remote vehicle stopping technology work? One common approach involves leveraging GPS tracking in conjunction with integrated electronic control systems. For instance, in a scenario where a suspect is driving dangerously through a populated area, police could remotely disable the vehicle’s fuel supply, safely bringing it to a controlled halt.

Another promising method involves developing remote command systems. These systems would enable law enforcement to issue instructions directly to a vehicle’s electronic systems using cellular networks (e.g., GSM/GPRS) or dedicated communication channels. For instance, police officers could potentially send a simple text message command prompting the vehicle to safely halt its operations.

Moreover, police systems could integrate with vehicles through API Integration, enabling commands via HTTP requests. Such integration allows vehicles to be seamlessly controlled through mobile or web-based law enforcement applications, facilitating quick and effective responses to emerging threats. Imagine a stolen car speeding towards a busy motorway—law enforcement could remotely issue a stop command, promptly immobilising the vehicle before it reaches congested traffic.

While the development of remote vehicle control and stopping technologies provides clear safety benefits, it necessitates careful consideration of privacy, ethical, and legal concerns. INTERCEPT project experts acknowledge these challenges, emphasising the importance of establishing clear regulatory frameworks that address legal ambiguities, define responsibilities for remote stopping actions, and manage insurance claims and cybersecurity risks.

Of course, creating such a solution is a major technological challenge. Law enforcement agencies require a tool that is both universally applicable and secure, ensuring that only authorized personnel can remotely disable a suspect’s vehicle. The solution must also be effective across different vehicle types, from modern smart cars to older models with fewer electronic systems. Additionally, it must be resilient against cyber threats, ensuring that criminals cannot exploit or override the system. Due to these complexities, a traditional procurement model is insufficient. Instead, INTERCEPT follows the pre-commercial procurement approach, which allows for iterative development and real-world testing before large-scale implementation.

Learn more about the project’s methodology and scope by reading the article: „Insight #1 – Innovating Through Public Procurement”.

Join the Pursuit of Safer Roads

For now, the realisation of these technologies remains a vision for the near future. Consultations with potential end-users, including law enforcement agencies, security forces, local authorities, public procurers, and contracting authorities, are ongoing. Stakeholders within these sectors are encouraged to join the dialogue and provide valuable insights.

Similarly, developers and technology providers capable of assisting law enforcement in remotely stopping vehicles safely are in invited to participate. This presents an opportunity to collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies and security experts, exploring involvement in future EU-funded pre-commercial procurement projects aimed at enhancing safety in high-risk police scenarios. 

Balancing risk and justice

As law enforcement continues to face the difficult choice between pursuing suspects and minimising public risk, technology is stepping in to provide smarter solutions. The INTERCEPT project represents a crucial step toward a future where officers no longer have to hesitate when to start a pursuit. By bringing together experts, industry leaders, and law enforcement, we can make pursuits safer, more efficient, and more effective.

The future of policing is in innovation. Will you be part of it?

20 Years of PPHS: Driving Innovation in Public Security

For two decades, Polish Platform for Homeland Security has been at the forefront of connecting experts from law enforcement, the tech industry, and security sectors to enhance public safety across Europe. Our mission is simple: to foster innovation and collaboration that make public spaces safer for everyone.

Through pre-commercial procurement (PCP) initiatives, PPHS has successfully bridged the gap between tech industry and law enforcement. Some of our key achievements include:

• PREVENT PCP –Advancing security in public transport with:
• • Automated detection of potentially dangerous unattended items
  • Identification and tracking of perpetrators
  • An advanced crisis management system

• SHIELD4CROWD –Enhancing protection at transportation hubs through:
• • Rapid response to terrorist attacks
  • Combatting the spread of disinformation in crisis situations

• INTERCEPT – Supporting the development of an advanced technology for safe remote vehicle stopping
• • Consolidating demand for innovative security technologies
  • Better informed decision-making related to investment in innovative security technologies
  • Increasing the innovation capacity of EU public procurers

Are you looking for an experienced partner in PCP initiatives? Contact us to explore possible ways of cooperation!