AN ACT CONCERNING POLICE OFFICER DISCRETION TO PURSUE MOTOR VEHICLES.

SB 402 requires Connecticut's Police Officer Standards and Training Council to revise the statewide policy on police vehicle pursuits. It mandates that officers must be able to clearly explain a public safety reason for pursuing a vehicle before initiating a chase. This change directly affects all Connecticut police officers who conduct vehicle pursuits. The key provision replaces previous automatic pursuit rules with a requirement for officers to justify each pursuit based on public safety needs. The bill aims to reduce unnecessary high-speed chases by giving officers discretion only when a safety justification exists.