Sen. Martin Heinrich launched an inquiry Wednesday into the U.S. Park Police’s decision to loosen department restrictions on car chases after a delivery driver was struck and killed during the pursuit of a suspected stolen vehicle.
In a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Park Police Chief Scott Brecht, the New Mexico Democrat and ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee asked how police officers are being trained under the agency’s new pursuit policy.
Heinrich requested an accounting of vehicle pursuits since car chase rules changed last year, as well as information on whether pursuits were for violent or nonviolent offenses.
“Studies have found that vehicle pursuits are among the most lethal activities in policing, and a high percentage of pursuit-related deaths and injuries include individuals who were not involved in the underlying offense,” Heinrich said.
