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The Ontario government announced a multifaceted program to reduce the dangers of police car chases including new regulations on pursuits and funding of almost C$1 million for helicopter evaluation trials by seven police services.
Solicitor General Robert Runciman said that for the first time in Ontario a regulation will take effect January 1. Guidelines will clearly outline the procedures officers will be required to take prior to and during any pursuit.
Runciman said evidence showed high-speed pursuits are a necessary law enforcement evil. "We recognize a total ban on pursuits is not practical," he said. "We are taking this action regarding suspect apprehension pursuits to increase public and police officer safety," he said. "Recognizing the need for clear and consistent procedures across the province, this regulation will address the risk to the public while allowing police to apprehend people suspected of breaking the law."
While the regulation was finalized, the intent was to provide it immediately to all police services in Ontario to inform front-line officers of the new direction and to allow them to begin to take action. New training procedures are being researched by the Ontario Police College. It is intended this training will become mandatory for all officers and communications personnel.
The helicopter projects will be conducted by the Toronto Police Service; the Hamilton-Wentworth, Peel and Halton Regional Police Services; the London Police Service; and the York and Durham Regional Police Services. Advocates of the use of helicopters point to Calgary, where there have been no pursuit-related fatalities in the four years since a police helicopter began flying there.
The government has also provided C$102,000 in funding this year for tire deflation devices for eight municipal police services and the Ontario Provincial Police. Last year, the ministry gave the OPP C$48,000 to buy spike...