Martinsburg Police change pursuit policy

Courtesy www.martinsburgpd.org
Courtesy www.martinsburgpd.org

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Martinsburg Police Chief Maury Richards said the city police department’s new vehicle-pursuit policy will save lives.

The updated policy advises law-enforcement officers to not engage in vehicle pursuits unless there is reasonable suspicion that the violator has committed a “violent forcible felony,” and presents an immediate and life-threatening danger to the public or law enforcement.

The change is “a major revision” from the previous policy, which allowed the initiation of a vehicle pursuit for any criminal offense.

The policy change is the result of an eight-week internal police department problem-solving initiative.

The Martinsburg City Council approved the revisions Thursday.