LAS VEGAS, NV - Following an update to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s (LVMPD) pursuit policy earlier in 2026 expanding the scope during which pursuits can be initiated with fleeing suspects, officials have brought forth additional insight into what the updated policy permits.
This past April, the LVMPD revamped its pursuit policies which were previously limited to only initiating pursuits of individuals suspected of violent felonies. At the time of the updates, officials stated the expanded scope of when pursuits can be initiated would also allow for consideration of various qualifying offenses or if the subject of the pursuit was a known repeat offender.
During a June press briefing, LVMPD Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren stated, “If you flee from LVMPD, we are going to pursue you, we are going to catch you and we are going to hold you accountable.” The aforementioned comments came in the wake of a June 18 incident which began as a vehicle stop over a stolen vehicle that turned into a high-speed pursuit when the driver fled and began recklessly operating the vehicle, including driving into oncoming traffic.
LVMPD Captain Ryan Wiggins spoke on the specific case, saying, “The initial stop on this case was a stolen vehicle; however, there was an extreme danger to the community as well, which is also within LVMPD’s policy to pursue that suspect. So, again, this guy was driving left of center, against traffic and almost caused multiple collisions so we had to pursue him and try to apprehend him.”
While the incident serves as an example of what the updated pursuit policy allows LVMPD officers to do in order to apprehend fleeing suspects, the department has also provided insight into what the updated policy forbids. For instance, intentional use of a patrol vehicle to make controlled contact with a fleeing suspect in order to end a pursuit is prohibited, with only some leeway afforded to specific PIT maneuvers which will require a supervisor’s approval.
Additionally, officers may not drive more than 20 miles over the posted speed limit during a pursuit sans a supervisor’s approval, as well as all officers engaged in a pursuit may not exceed 100 miles per hour. These restrictions, according to officials, are meant to balance the interests of public safety and enforcement of the law.
Assistant Sheriff Koren emphasized the aforementioned sentiment with, “Our officers are encountering a variety of suspects at different times, a variety of different crime categories but at the end of the day they have one job which is to lower crime in this community and keep the community safe.”
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