By Lara Fominoff - @LaraFominoff on Twitter

Lethbridge Police release annual “Fail to Stop” report

Apr 2, 2018 | 7:56 AM

LETHBRIDGE – In 2017, there was a 27 per cent increase in drivers failing to stop for police when requested, according to the Police Service’s annual “Fail to Stop” report presented at Lethbridge Police Commission last Wednesday (Mar. 28).

According to Staff Sgt. Wade Davidson, a “fail to stop” incident occurs when an officer tries to stop a vehicle for a potential traffic violation or otherwise, and the driver is aware of it, but refuses to obey.

That occurred 55 times last year, with seven police pursuits resulting during extraordinary circumstances. There were five collisions as a result, but no injuries or fatalities.

In 2016, 43 drivers refused to stop, while in 2015 there were just 29.

Police say as more pursuits occur, the more danger there is to the public and to the officers involved.

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Davidson told the commission officers try to employ other means of getting drivers to pull over if they refuse to do so, including using GPS tracking (StarChase) or things like On-Star remote tracking and shut down.

If other officers are called or in the area, techniques like boxing in a vehicle to prevent a chase from occurring can also be used.

Most “fail to stop” incidents occurred either between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., and between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. They also occur most often on Tuesdays and Fridays, according to the report.

The report also indicates that officers most often tried stopping vehicles for either traffic offences or stolen vehicle reports.

However, impaired driving, breach of conditions, drug offences, dangerous driving, assault with a weapon and even attempted abduction have also been cited in the last year.

by Lara Fominoff - @LaraFominoff on Twitter

Lethbridge Police release annual “Fail to Stop” report

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