Peel officers sent for remedial driver training after spike in police chases. A new report shows Peel Regional Police were involved in more chases last year than the previous year. Mississauga News By Louie Rosella MISSISSAUGA — Peel Regional Police have ordered remedial driver training for several officers after an increase in police chases last year, nearly half of which were deemed unjustified. The 2013 Peel Regional Pursuit Analysis Report, authored by acting Staff Sgt. Kyla Hunter and presented at the monthly Police Services Board meeting in Brampton Friday by Deputy Chief Frank Roselli, shows that police pursuits in Mississauga and Brampton increased 33 per cent, from 15 in 2012 to 20 last year. Nine of last years chases were deemed not justified, while five resulted in collisions but no injuries, the report states. In 2012, seven of the 15 collisions were deemed not justified and five resulted in crashes. All 21 pursuits in 2011 were deemed justified. In all instances where pursuits were found to not be justified or minor deficiencies were detected in the pursuit, remedial driver training was recommended and completed, according to Hunter in the report. Seventeen officers were sent for remedial driver training last year, the report states. Pursuits are classified as not justified for a variety of reasons, including a major threat to public safety or a failure to use alternative measures to identify and apprehend suspect(s). The main reasons officers had for engaging in a pursuit were drunk driving, dangerous driving or Highway Traffic Act violations, the report stated. The years on the job for officers involved in the pursuits averaged 8.6, compared to just 4.8 years last year. One officer involved in a pursuit had 24 years on the job, the report stated. The majority of pursuits — 65 per cent — took place late at night and early morning. In 12 of last years pursuits, arrests were made and charges laid. Six of last years pursuits reached speeds exceeding 130 km/h, up from one in 2012, the report states. Peel Police ranks fifth in Ontario when it comes to police pursuits by police force, the report stated. Given that Peel Regional Police is the second-largest municipal police department in Ontario…a higher instance of pursuits would be expected according to statistical probability based on the noted variables of population size, employee population and overall frequency of pursuits, Hunter states in the report.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 09:20:53 +0000