10 January 2012
Expert comment on police pursuits
RMIT University Adjunct Professor Peter Norden AO has called for an urgent review of police practice on pursuits, following the overnight death of a passenger in a car involved in a police pursuit in Dandenong.
"The police car is now the most dangerous weapon in the police arsenal," Adjunct Professor Norden said.
"Victoria Police have to change this irrational policy that puts innocent lives at risk.
"There have been four police pursuits in the last three weeks, risking the lives of innocent bystanders.
"Last week an 82-year-old blind Victorian woman narrowly escaped death during a police pursuit.
"In most pursuits which resulted in death over the last 10 years, police media reported that the chase was called off shortly before the fatal accident.
"Protecting human life should be the number one priority of Victorian Police.
"What we urgently need is a new policy that protects the lives of innocent victims and places the protection of human life above that of property or road regulations."
Adjunct Professor Norden has 30 years' experience working in the criminal justice system and has long called for a review of police practice with respect to police pursuits in Victoria.
An Adjunct Professor in RMIT's School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning, he is available for interview.
For interviews: RMIT University's Adjunct Professor Peter Norden, 0409 040 994 or (03) 9557 3433.
For general media enquiries: RMIT University, Marketing and Communications, Gosia Kaszubska, (03) 9925 3176 or 0417 510 735.
