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A “failure to stop” is a big deal for law enforcement officers (LEOs). Depending on the jurisdiction, the type of fleeing vehicle, and the specific situation, someone refusing to stop for a police officer with lights and sirens often leads to pursuits or high-speed chases. Periodically, however, police officers will give up their pursuit in favor of other tactics. So, just when do cops decide to call it quits in a high-speed chase?

A police officer may terminate a high-speed chase or pursuit for multiple reasons from safety to policy

Sure, they’re exciting. I mean, who doesn’t think back to news helicopter footage of a screaming Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat or O.J. Simpson leading police units in a pursuit? Okay, so the latter doesn’t quite qualify as a high-speed chase. That “O.J.-era” Ford Bronco, as a friend of mine calls it, wasn’t going anywhere quickly. However, there are reasons why police officers would call off a pursuit.

  • If an officer is instructed by a supervisor to call off a pursuit
  • The fleeing vehicle is too fast for police vehicles to conceivably chase
  • Officers abide by a “no-chase rule”
  • A pursuing unit is damaged and cannot safely continue a pursuit
  • A fleeing vehicle’s location is unknown to pursuing units

According to the UCLA Police Department, one of the reasons a police officer will terminate a vehicle pursuit is if they’re “directed by a supervisor.” Sure, UCLA’s department probably doesn’t engage in many high-speed pursuits. However, the impetus is sensible. After all, wouldn’t you want a so-called hothead to back off if the department considers a chase unsafe?

One of the reasons for a supervisor’s termination might be due to safety concerns. It’s an obvious decision in some cases. For instance, a couple of years ago, Mohamed Ahmed Abu-Shlieba tried to give Houston-area police the slip in an early-model Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. In that “high-speed pursuit,” the Hellcat left pursuit units in the dust as it approached its 199-mph top speed. However, police caught up with the Mopar muscle car after it swilled the contents of its gas tank. 

In that same vein, some departments may operate with a “no-chase rule.” In this context, officers may avoid engaging in high-speed chases with speeding motorcycles and cars for safety concerns. Furthermore, if a chase damages a law enforcement officer’s vehicle, they may discontinue their participation in a chase. 

Beyond safety considerations, should a fleeing vehicle manage to evade police units, the department may discontinue a pursuit. However, the police will likely use descriptions, perimeter searches, and “be-on-the-lookout” (BOLO) communications to keep looking for offenders. Sorry kids, the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise is a game– not reality.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).