Again, I cannot believe the policies that all the Dallas PD’s use is not the same for pursuits…this is strange, each constable office has different chase policies and nobody can control what they do. I hope that the city council will figure this out soon so they will not have more deaths animal or human being.

The third Dallas-area police chase in just two days ended on Tuesday morning with a multi-vehicle crash, several injuries and the death of a dog.

The pursuit began when Dallas County constables tried to pull over a vehicle for expired tags, constables said.

The woman driving the gold sedan exited the vehicle but then got back inside and drove off leaving her passengers behind, they said.

The woman led constable deputies and police on an 80 mph chase that ended in Irving. She crashed into two vehicles at the intersection of Beltline and Conflans roads, officials said.

All three drivers were transported to area hospitals, fire-rescue officials said.

One of the injured victims, 49-year-old Ida Porier was driving with her two dogs, Dusty and Bonnie Bell. Bonnie Bell was fatally crushed and Dusty can now barely walk, she said.

Porier has broken bones, but expects to recover, she said.

Constables have not yet released the name of the woman who gave chase. Her condition is unknown.

She faces felony charges, constables said.

Chase Policy

Whether they are high or low speed, chases get their share of attention from the media, the public and law enforcement. But chase policies remain a local phenomenon. There’s no national or even statewide policy.

In fact, five constables in Dallas County could all have different chase policies and still be doing their job.

While no law enforcement agencies have criticized the choice to chase, Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price said chase policies need a second look.

“I’ve tried to talk about reviewing those policies, but I’m told we’re limited,” Price said.

County commissioners fund constables, but have little control over policy. And the county and it’s taxpayers are footing the bill for suits targeting chase tactics.

“Unfortunately, we wind up at the behest of any injury or anything that occurs out there as a result of those policies,” Price said. “I’m concerned, but that’s all I can be.”

Experts say that concern is shared by law enforcement.

“This is a high liability area. It’s an area that places officers at risk, places citizens in peril,” said policy expert Dan Carlson.

Carlson said in general, agencies are becoming more conservative about who they chase and why. For example, Dallas police only pursue suspects wanted for violent crimes.

“Well, I think the agencies that have developed those sorts of policies have taken the position that it’s wise to limit the full range of risks that confront officers and the citizens and the department and the community,” he said.

Those who make the policy must weigh the consequences of giving chase against the possibility of letting suspected criminals get away.

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