Local officers explain police chase protocol

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn.- High speed pursuits can be one of the most dangerous situations on the road, not only for officers but for the public.

After a horrific end to a chase in Florida, what is done here in Tennessee to prevent police pursuits from going from bad to worse.

A Florida police officer in a high speed pursuit, flies through an intersection, t-boning another car.
“That was just… negligence,” said Chief Deputy Steve Overton of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

On traffic cam video, at one angle, the officer had a red light, which one cruiser slowed down for, but the other sped right through it.

“He was in clear violation of Tennessee state law if that would have happened here in Tennessee,” said Chief Deputy Overton.

Officers in Florida said it was also a violation of their state laws, which like Tennessee’s are in place to protect the public from violent wrecks like these.

“Even if we have the green light, we’re supposed to slow down and check the intersection make sure it’s clear before we precede through,” said  Chief Deputy Overton.

From Tennessee law enforcement, to firefighters and EMTs, they must complete hours of driving training each year.

“They don’t hire you off the street and just turn you loose and tell you to drive wide open. We’re actually trained how to drive these vehicles,” said Sgt. Chris Richardson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Although emergency crews can, in some cases, disregard the rules of the road, they cannot put anyone in danger.

“We don’t just go out haphazardly to pursue. Our job is to protect the public, not to put them at any more risk by pursuing them,” said Sgt. Richardson.

And while chasing a suspect can be successful, officers said in cases like these, it is sometimes just not worth it.

“As long as we’re not negligent.  And I think in this case in Florida, the officer was probably negligent. We really have to show due regard for the public safety,” said Chief Deputy Overton.

The people in the vehicle that was hit were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The officer who hit them received a traffic citation from his department.