What must be shown to justify a police pursuit?

To justify a police pursuit, it is essential to demonstrate a clear and immediate threat to public safety. This criterion ensures that law enforcement officers are not engaging in pursuits for minor infractions but rather responding to serious situations that could endanger the lives of others.

When officers are faced with a suspect who poses a substantial risk—whether through violent behavior, fleeing from a serious crime, or driving recklessly at high speeds—initiating a pursuit can be warranted to prevent further harm. The notion behind this is to balance the urgency of apprehending a potentially dangerous individual against the risks that a pursuit itself can create on public roads. Pursuits that are justified under this rationale tend to focus on the severity of the crime involved or the level of threat posed to citizens, which underscores the responsible actions taken by law enforcement.

Other options focus on elements that do not justify the risky nature of police pursuits and might lead to unnecessary dangers if pursued for minor issues or unclear contexts.