Almost Made It . . .

So, how long will it take for the suspect and/or his family to sue the city for "police brutality?"

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― Chopper 3 captured a high speed police chase Wednesday evening that began in Bucks County and ended in Northeast Philadelphia.

The suspect weaved in and out of traffic, endangering pedestrians and cars. The chase became extremely dangerous when the suspect was driving wildly around some of the busiest streets in Northeast Philadelphia.

A police tow truck crashed into the front of the suspect's car at the intersection of Cottman Avenue and Brous Street, ending the intense chase with a bang.

After the crash, the street was covered with police cruisers as officers swarmed the suspect's car, and dragged the suspect from his vehicle. The suspect was pinned to the ground and put in handcuffs. He emerged from the street with a bloody face before he was placed in the back of a police wagon. (H/T - CBS3)

Do you know why this pursuit was allowed to continue? Not because the offender was allegedly involved in a bank robbery. Not because he was a danger to the public at large. Not because he refused to stop for the police.

Because the pursuit originated in an outside jurisdiction.

The Philadelphia Police Department has one of the most restrictive pursuit policies in America. Sometimes this is a good thing, like when a knucklehead cop wants to pursue a vehicle that was just involved in a $5 retail theft. Sometimes it is not a good thing, such as an instance like the one above. This pursuit, even though it was for bank robbery, would have been called off almost immediately. The reasoning behind it is that the person could always be caught at a later date.

Personally, I agree with this policy . . . to a point. I think officers should be allowed to rely on their instincts and common sense ninety percent of the time. We're not infants - for the most part. Stop treating us like infants. If you are going to trust us with a firearm, then trust us to make a rational decision when it comes to vehicle pursuits.

/Rant.