The LPD&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPXRabjRGUkdtU013QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0U5S04yOHhaVFpVYlZkeFMwWmFlVWRzY0VGelVUMDk-8217;s adoption of this new tech comes as police departments across the state are adapting to new guidelines and regulations regarding pursuits. With recent law changes imposing limits on when law enforcement can pursue suspects, the LPD saw the need for an alternative method to keep up with suspects who refuse to pull over.
The technology in question is a small box that is affixed to the front of a squad car. This box contains a system called StarChase, which allows law enforcement to deploy a GPS tracker onto the back of a suspect&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPXRabjRGUkdtU013QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0U5S04yOHhaVFpVYlZkeFMwWmFlVWRzY0VGelVUMDk-8217;s vehicle. This tracker is propelled through the air by a small air compressor located in the squad car&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPXRabjRGUkdtU013QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0U5S04yOHhaVFpVYlZkeFMwWmFlVWRzY0VGelVUMDk-8217;s engine bay, removing the need for an officer to engage in a pursuit.
Sgt. Brad Reorda, a detective with the LPD, explains that this technology provides another option for officers when pursuing suspects. By deploying the StarChase system, officers can keep a safe distance from the suspect and track their movements without engaging in a high-speed chase. However, it is important to note that the LPD must have reasonable suspicion of a felony crime before deploying the GPS tracker.
The LPD is not the first police department in the area to use this technology. The Redmond Police Department has been utilizing StarChase since January of this year. Chief Darrell Lowe of the Redmond Police Department sees this technology as a part of the continuous evolution of tools and technology in law enforcement.
The state laws passed in 2021 imposed stricter regulations on police pursuits, with exceptions for violent crimes and domestic violence. However, in April of this year, Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill that slightly lowered the threshold for police to initiate a chase, from &https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPXRabjRGUkdtU013QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0U5S04yOHhaVFpVYlZkeFMwWmFlVWRzY0VGelVUMDk-8220;probable cause&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPXRabjRGUkdtU013QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0U5S04yOHhaVFpVYlZkeFMwWmFlVWRzY0VGelVUMDk-8221; to &https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPXRabjRGUkdtU013QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0U5S04yOHhaVFpVYlZkeFMwWmFlVWRzY0VGelVUMDk-8220;reasonable suspicion.&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPXRabjRGUkdtU013QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrT0U5S04yOHhaVFpVYlZkeFMwWmFlVWRzY0VGelVUMDk-8221;
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) has adapted to these regulations by utilizing aircraft surveillance. Chris Loftis of the WSP explains that suspects are often taken by surprise when they realize they are being observed from the air. WSP relies heavily on their fleet of five aircraft to crack down on various offenses, including speeding and street racing.
For the LPD, their arsenal of GPS trackers is ready to be deployed, but they emphasize that it will only be used in suspected felony cases. Additionally, the device emits a signal for approximately eight hours, ensuring that it does not impede on privacy rights or unnecessarily track individuals.
Overall, the adoption of the
