A CORONER says he “cannot conceive” of many situations where a police pursuit would be justified.

Coroner John Olle said police shouldn’t chase drivers who refuse to stop over traffic infringements, property offences or if they’re intoxicated.

The comments were aired this morning during the finding of a coronial inquest into the death of a pregnant teenager after a high-speed chase in 2006.

Sarah Booth, 17, was the passenger in a Holden Commodore that hit a tree on O’Grady St, Carrum Downs, at 2.19am on December 31, travelling at least 138km/h.

The driver, Nathan Unwin — who was injured in the smash — was later convicted of culpable driving causing death and jailed for nine years.

The officers, Leading Senior Constable Gregory Wolfe and Acting Sergeant Pritpal Thandi, followed the vehicle after it had been involved in burnouts nearby and gave chase when Unwin refused to stop.

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Mr Olle said Sen-Constable Wolfe, an experienced officer who was at the wheel during the pursuit, underestimated his own speed by 40km/h.

He said he didn’t recommend banning police pursuits, but “I cannot conceive of many situations where a police pursuit would be justified, as the risks are too high to members of the community.”

He criticised the Victoria Police Manuals for failing to explain what weight or order should be given to certain risks, such as road conditions and driver ability, of a pursuit.

“Police members generally didn’t turn their mind to what was the real or likely threat posed by the target driver,” he said.

Mr Olle made the same comment in relation to the death of Jason Kumar, 15, who died when the stolen Ford Laser he was driving hit a cyclone fence in Bayswater after a pursuit on December 13, 2009.

In making recommendations, Mr Olle said police should pursue a vehicle only to prevent a serious risk to public health or safety; or in response to a serious criminal offence involving harm to people.

“Police should never pursue a vehicle simply because it is fleeing,” he said.

He also recommended the risk assessment model for pursuits be developed to give weight to particular risks, that all police vehicles be fitted with in-car video, and police members record all incidents of vehicles fleeing police.

A police spokesman said Mr Olle’s recommendations would be considered.

“Victoria Police acknowledges the coroner’s findings and will consider the matters raised as part of our current police pursuit policy review,” a spokesman said.

angus.thompson@news.com.au

