Arkansas State Police (ASP) chases have been a topic of scrutiny for years, with critics questioning aggressive tactics. Recent data reveals a troubling paradox: while the number of pursuits decreased in 2025, fatalities reached a ten-year high. This contrast raises critical questions about the effectiveness and cost of current pursuit policies.
Declining Chases, Rising Fatalities
In 2025, troopers conducted 432 pursuits – the lowest since 2019, down from 553 the previous year. Despite this reduction, seven people died as a result of chases, marking the deadliest year in at least a decade. The data shows that over the past ten years (2016-2025), ASP logged 4,710 pursuits, resulting in 27 deaths and 774 injuries, including 91 officers. Statistically, fatalities occur in just under 0.6% of chases, and injuries in roughly 16%.
This might seem counterintuitive. Most chases don’t end in death, and many result in no serious injuries. However, these statistics don’t diminish the consequences, especially when innocent individuals are caught in the crossfire.
Collateral Damage: Passengers and PIT Maneuvers
A disturbing trend is that nearly half of those killed in 2025 were passengers, not the fleeing drivers. Three out of seven fatalities involved passengers ejected during crashes following PIT maneuvers – a tactic used in over half of all ASP chases. This highlights that the consequences of high-speed pursuits extend beyond those attempting to evade law enforcement.
The ASP defends PIT maneuvers as the fastest and safest way to end chases, placing responsibility for fatalities squarely on the fleeing drivers. But the data shows that passengers, and even bystanders, are at risk.
The Human Cost: Officers’ Perspectives
Law enforcement officers have mixed views on chases. One officer described them as “the most exciting and fun parts of the job… but also the most dangerous and nerve-racking.” Another admitted to being involved in a chase that resulted in life-altering injuries to an innocent family and the death of the fleeing suspect – all over a traffic violation. Such experiences underscore the need for restrictive policies.
What Does This Mean?
The 2025 data demands scrutiny. If fewer pursuits lead to more fatalities, and innocent passengers are disproportionately affected, it’s reasonable to question current tactics, thresholds for initiating chases, and risk assessments. The numbers are complex, but they reinforce a vital point: most pursuits don’t end in tragedy, yet every unintended death requires reflection, not simply justification.
The trend suggests that even with reduced chase volume, the inherent dangers remain high, and the human cost is significant. Policymakers and law enforcement leaders must re-evaluate whether current practices are justified, given the rising fatalities and collateral damage.
