Victoria Police implemented on Wednesday a new pursuit policy to allow offices to chase more criminals, but the new rules will be kept a secret.
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Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton told a press conference in Melbourne that criminals had become too educated on what offences would and would not result in pursuit by police.
The new policy was widely seen as a response to brazen car thefts, carjackings and home invasions in Melbourne and Geelong in past weeks.
Ararat police arrested two men after a police pursuit in Great Western last week,
An 18-year-old Roxburgh Park man and a 22-year-old Broadmeadows man were arrested after evading police for 10 hours.
Ararat police said the driver of a Holden station wagon allegedly drove at a police vehicle and crossed onto the wrong side of the road.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said the new policy provided greater clarity to officers about when it is reasonable to engage in a pursuit.
“The decision to engage in a pursuit is one of the most difficult and quickest a police officer must make,” AC Fryer said.
“Fleeing police is a criminal act that puts the lives of everyone in the vicinity at risk.
“The decision to pursue will never be taken lightly. It’s a decision our members have to make daily.”
A police statement said commissioners would will no longer discuss specifics about when police will or won’t engage in a pursuit for operational reasons
“Discussing specific details about the operational application of the policy only serves the criminal element of society and can potentially put lives at risk,” AC Fryer said.