What criteria must be met for police pursuit?

The criteria that must be met for a police pursuit typically revolves around the seriousness of the offense and the officer's judgment. This means an officer must evaluate the nature of the crime that has been committed—often, more serious offenses, such as violent crimes, may justify a pursuit. The officer's judgment plays a significant role, as they must also consider the risks involved for the public, themselves, and the suspect.

These factors guide the decision-making process to ensure that pursuits are justifiable and necessary, taking into account the overall circumstances of the situation. This approach prioritizes public safety and prudent decision-making rather than arbitrary choices or factors unrelated to the incident, such as the race of a suspect or arbitrary reasons for initiating a pursuit. High-speed chases are not always warranted, and random decisions are not suitable criteria for starting a pursuit, as they can lead to dangerous situations without proper justification.