The primary mission and sworn duty of every police agency and officer is to protect and to serve the public. When determining whether to initiate a vehicular pursuit, agencies must consider whether a pursuit will further that goal, especially considering the inherent danger of pursuits to both the public and the officers.

Police officers and agencies must determine whether the public is best protected by engaging in a pursuit or by taking some other form of action. This document will provide agencies with information on balancing the risks, considering all the factors that go into a decision to pursue, and reaching a decision that is best suited to their jurisdictions.