In that time the number of fleeing drivers the police have reported has almost doubled, to more than 4000 in 2018. Cases of fleeing drivers it examined were more than 95 percent male, more than 60 percent Māori, and more than 65 percent unlicensed. Mr Bush said the review showed officers generally managed pursuits well, affirming with the principles of its Fleeing Driver Policy. Review the Eagle helicopter role in police pursuits- including possibly "empowering authorised follows" after the chase; and improving video transmission speed to comms centre. Improve accountability by boosting the powers and national oversight of reviews following up police pursuits- This includes a new code number for police pursuits; reviewing police pursuit report forms and require extra details like passenger, number of road strips and the event number; introduce reviewing of police comms audio.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 14, 2019 23:15 UTC