Missouri Police Chief Proposes Limits on High-Speed Pursuits

Independence Police Department explores GPS tech to improve safety during chases

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Chief Doug Brinkley of the Independence Police Department in Missouri has proposed updates to the department's pursuit policy, suggesting officers limit pursuits to instances of dangerous felonies or immediate threats. Brinkley also discussed the potential reinvestment in StarChase GPS technology, which allows officers to track suspects from a safer distance.

Why it matters

Police pursuits have come under increased scrutiny nationwide due to public safety concerns. Many departments have adopted policies to terminate pursuits for non-violent or low-level offenses. Brinkley's proposals align with these national trends as the IPD looks to improve the safety of high-speed chases.

The details

During a city council meeting, Chief Brinkley admitted the department's current pursuit policy requires improvement in terms of application and supervisory review. He proposed limiting pursuits to only the most dangerous situations, such as felonies or immediate threats. Brinkley also discussed potentially upgrading the department's StarChase GPS technology, which allows officers to track suspects from a distance rather than engaging in high-speed chases.

  • On March 9th, Chief Brinkley shared the department's pursuit policy data with the Independence City Council.

The players

Doug Brinkley

Chief of the Independence Police Department in Missouri.

Independence Police Department

A police department in Independence, Missouri that is exploring ways to improve the safety of high-speed pursuits.

StarChase

A vehicle-mounted GPS tracking system that allows officers to track suspects from a safer distance during a pursuit.

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What they’re saying

“We have a comprehensive policy, but application and supervisory review requires improvement.”

— Doug Brinkley, Police Chief (lawenforcementtoday.com)

What’s next

The Independence City Council did not hold a vote on the proposed pursuit policy updates, as they do not dictate policy for the police department. However, Chief Brinkley's proposals are expected to be further discussed and potentially implemented by the IPD in the coming months.

The takeaway

Chief Brinkley's proposals to limit high-speed pursuits to only the most dangerous situations and explore GPS tracking technology reflect a growing national trend of police departments prioritizing public safety over immediate apprehension of suspects. These policy changes aim to reduce the risks associated with police chases while still allowing officers to respond to serious threats.