In pursuit risk balance, when is pursuit justified?

• A. When the risk of pursuit is less than the risk of not pursuing.
• B. When the risk of pursuit is greater than the risk of not pursuing.
• C. When there is another vehicle involved.
• D. When the fleeing vehicle is unarmed.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is weighing safety risks. Pursuit is justified when the potential harm caused by letting the suspect escape or continue their crime is greater than the danger created by the pursuit itself. In practice, officers assess factors like traffic, road conditions, weather, time of day, and how the suspect’s actions could impact public safety. If continuing the chase minimizes overall risk—meaning the harm from not pursuing would be greater—then pursuing is warranted. If, however, the danger of the pursuit would exceed the danger of letting the suspect go, disengagement or termination is the safer choice.