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Good morning,
I was wondering if anyone has a pursuit policy that addresses pursuing vehicles where the driver is to be placed under baker act? I am interested regardless if the policy allows a pursuit under these circumstances or not.
Thanks
Good Morning. If the subject to be Baker Acted did not commit a forcible felony, our officers would not be authorized to pursue. Our policy doesn’t specifically mention Baker Acts.
Erika Hasson
Supervisor, Professional Compliance Unit
St. Petersburg Police Department
727-551-3318
Erika.Hasson@stpete.orgOur pursuit policy allows for pursuits involving forcible felonies and DUI’s where the person’s driving pattern was dangerous PRIOR to coming into contact with law enforcement. The caveat is that the officer may not know what is causing a dangerous driving pattern, but in a case where someone was suicidal, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, all of these scenarios may cause a dangerous driving pattern prior to contact with law enforcement. So I can see where our agency MAY allow for a pursuit in those circumstances. Again, the litmus test is going to be – does the dangerousness of the person’s driving outweigh the dangers of a pursuit? Food for thought.
Captain Kaley Behl
Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
kbehl@alachuasheriff.org
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