Senate Bill Would Create Statewide Police Pursuit Standards

Alabama annually ranks at the top or near the top in deaths resulting from police pursuits. According to U.S. Department of Justice statistics, too often the fatalities are suffered by a passenger in the car being pursued or an innocent motorist or pedestrian who ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time

The tragic death of a 17-year-old last year who died after the vehicle he was riding in was struck by a vehicle being chased by police at speeds upwards of 100 mph near Hartselle, in North Alabama, has prompted legislation to require departments to have a written policy regarding pursuits.

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Known as the Tristan Hollis Memorial Act, Senate Bill 120, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr (R-3), would create a standard that state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies shall follow when developing and implementing vehicular pursuit policies.

Agencies that fail to adopt a policy consistent with the bill could face withholding of state funding or state‑administered federal funding.

Orr points out that officers and deputies involved in pursuits are also placing their lives in jeopardy as well as other motorists.

Law enforcement officials blame the reason for so many police pursuits on a higher rate of violent crimes and other significant factors. These pursuits can cross county lines, involving multiple agencies.

The proposed bill would limit vehicular pursuits, allowing them only when there is probable cause that the suspect has committed or is committing a violent offense.

Those crimes include:

Murder
First‑degree burglary
First‑degree kidnapping
First‑degree human trafficking
First‑degree rape
First‑degree sodomy
Sexual torture
First‑degree domestic violence
First‑degree arson
First‑degree robbery
Terrorism
Aggravated child abuse
Or any offense that poses an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury to another person or a substantial threat to public safety

The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, TPD and NPD all have written policies but that is not always the case for smaller agencies and departments.

The bill is currently assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.