Police officers in Washington state will soon be able to chase far more suspects who flee in vehicles, after state lawmakers voted to roll back restrictions passed in 2021.
Police agencies almost unanimously said the state’s limits on vehicle pursuits hampered their ability to fight crime.
Under those existing restrictions, Washington police can only initiate a car chase when a fleeing person is suspected of certain crimes — a violent offense, sex offense, domestic violence assault, vehicular assault, driving under the influence or escaping from prison or jail.
Vehicle chases for lower-level crimes, such as property theft, are banned.
But the rules approved in March by Washington’s Legislature will allow cops to once again pursue any driver if they have reasonable suspicion that they have violated the law.
The revised policy takes effect this coming Thursday, June 6.