Senior policeman instructs officers not to engage in traffic pursuit or to use stingers
A SENIOR policeman has told officers to not engage in traffic pursuits in “any form” and to “give the Commissioner what he wants” in a controversial briefing to troops.
Telling officers to ignore official policy, Senior Sergeant Phil Notaro said police should not use tyre-deflating stingers on the roads as it would “only end in heartache”.
He referred to a police incident in which two officers – Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley and Senior Constable Barry Wellington – were charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle after a pursuit last year. They were suspended after the incident.
Snr Sgt Notaro questioned how one officer was charged, given he was a passenger in a vehicle, in an article he wrote in the Queensland Police Union Journal.
If that happened, the same rules could apply for a senior officer remotely instructing junior officers, he said.
The use of a tyre deflation device has been discouraged by a senior police officer. Picture: David Hill“So now, as DDO (district duty officer), I will not authorise the use of tyre deflation devices under any circumstances,” Snr Sgt Notaro, the police union’s southeast representative, wrote.
“I will not create a situation where police may have to engage in a pursuit or use force to stop that vehicle.’’
Police pursuits are permitted if those fleeing are an imminent threat to life, have been involved in or threatened murder, or committed an indictable offence prior to the police attempt to intercept.
Officers must also make a risk assessment. Policy also allows the use of tyre-deflation devices.
“I say again, to all members: do not engage in any pursuit, in any form,” Snr Sgt Notaro wrote. “Don’t bother deploying stingers either. It will only end in heartache. Give the Commissioner what he wants … and pray that the change in leadership towards the end of 2017 will bring some sensibility and balance back ...”
Questions about Snr Sgt Notaro’s comments were not answered and a statement about policy was issued by the Queensland Police Service.
A spokeswoman said the QPS brought in a restrictive pursuit policy in 2011, following recommendations from the state coroner, which was designed to provide safety to officers and the community while allowing pursuits in a “permissible circumstance”.
Replies
Its our world gone mad now.
Ridiculous. They should chase 'em and if necessary shoot 'em.
The other crazy thing is if they do actually catch them they get let off instead of being locked up for a few years.
Are these people so stupid they can't work out that a weak police fore and drug addled idiots roaming the street is infinately more dangerous to the public than a few police chases.
What they should do when they catch them is beat the shit out of them on camera and play it on the news for the rest of us to enjoy.
Im a big fan of cutting a finger off for each time a thief gets caught. Sooner or later they catch on and stop or get called stumpy.
Sex crimes can work the same way and should but harsher for those caught tampering with kids.
Kram, the American police are the shoot them first, ask questions later force and how are these hard line tactics working against the drug trade there? Not very successful by all reports. What do you want, that style or our less abrasive style? I prefer the latter.
If I ruled, Id be more inclined to say that the criminal is held accountable for any damage cause in the course of their arrest.
ie If they flee the scene, police will pursue and if the police damage anything in that pursuit or if anyone is injured then these are all added to the criminals convictions because they caused the initial response.
So if one these Crims were to cause an accident an injure an innocent bystander why are they not liable for everything that follows as a result?
As an aside...take those from the medical profession who render Good Samaritan assistance in an emergency situation.
A nursing friend of mine in qld told me a few years back now (so I'm not sure if things have changed) that they could be held liable if the person dies on their watch and the arm of scrutiny would fall down heavy on them. Seems wrong.
http://www.armstronglegal.com.au/traffic-law/police-pursuit/
Sad sad joke I am afraid; police should be allowed to enforce the law. These coroners etc. do not see what the crims do and the courts are a joke. If you break the law you pay the consequences but unfortunately the do-gooders have more say and they should not...
He then stopped for a few seconds and said...nah - the Aussie larrakin is a myth - we are a nation of rule followers. I thought for a few moments and agreed - we are probably the most regulated country in the western world - police cant pursue baddies, cant use the black word, cant light a fire, regulations in all forms of advertising - hell we can't even ride a push bike without a helmet for fear of a massive fine (now $371) in Qld.
The very concept that you can get your car stolen and the cops are not allowed to do anything is beyond the pale. What have we become ????
Fu#kin governments.
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