By: republicaninboro on 1/25/10
I'm pleased to hear another criminal is off the streets, at least for now. However, even during "light" downtown traffic I don't think that the deputy should have continued pursuit of this scumbag. James was already driving under the influence without due regard to the innocent people in the "light" traffic. Pursuing at speeds over 100mph while the criminal is running red lights and stop signs should have sent indications to the deputy's supervisors that the pursuit should stop. Running stop signs tells me they likely went through a residential section of downtown Murfreesboro. At 100mph either the criminal or the deputy could have lost control and gone right through a house-maybe into a child's front bedroom. I am not against high speed chases when warranted and I'm sure it is a difficult decision as to pursue or not, why is he running from us... So for me the story wasn't about the bribe but the pursuit and what are the local protocols for high speed pursuits.

By: willis5038 on 1/25/10
As far as the Sheriff's Office is concerned the decision to pursue rests entirely on the on duty supervisors. The Deputy is required to give constant updates regarding speed, traffic conditons, and location immediately after he radios that he is in pursuit. He is also required to give the reason for attempting to stop the vehicle.

You are right about it being a very difficult decision, possibly on of the hardest in law enforcement simply because of the "why" factor.

Murfreesboro Police banned vehicle pursuits entirely unless the suspect is known to be involved in a violent felony.

I can see both sides of the coin and I don't think that anyone has come up with a concrete solution to this problem.

However, in the age of the lawsuit, I'm sure that you will see more departments leaning on the side of caution just as MPD has chosen to do.