Opinion ID: 1735503
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: whether the officer had available alternatives which would lead to the apprehension of the suspect besides pursuit

Text: ¶ 71. Officer Tolbert testified that Evans had avoided arrest on several occasions, even resorting to violence. Officer Tolbert believed Evans would stop and bail out and attempt to evade arrest on foot. In fact, at trial, Officer Tolbert testified: Q. So you knew on December 21, 1999 from your prior experience that Joe Evans, Jr. was going to do whatever he needed to do to avoid arrest, wasn't he? A. I believe in my deposition I stated that he would bail out of the vehicle within a couple of blocks and that's what I felt like he was going to do on this occasion. Q. But you knew from prior experience that he was going to run. He didn't obey police officer's commands in the past and that he would always try to take off and hide? You knew that, didn't you? A. Yes, sir. When he was wanted for something, he did. Q. And you knew that prior to December 21, 1999? A. Yes, sir. Q. Okay. I think you testified in your deposition that  well, let me ask you this. Did you think  how did you plan on stopping him that night? If you knew he was going to run, how were you going to chase him down in your car and apprehend him? What were your plans? A. As I stated, I felt like that he was going to run a couple of blocks in his vehicle, as he normally does. He gets out and he runs on foot. And I was going to do my best to chase him down on foot. Q. And you have done that in the past and have never been able to catch him, have you? A. He's always been faster. Q. Then what in your opinion was different from your prior experiencewhat was different on December 21, 1999 and your prior experience with him? A. It's just my job to do the best to catch him. ¶ 72. Officer Tolbert had called for backup. He could have declined to attempt to stop Evans and instead arrest him at his home with additional officers, but given that Evans's family members would not assist police, and considering Evans's history of violence and escape, the decision to attempt to stop Evans by engaging in a one-mile, two minute pursuit at 45 to 55 miles per hour was not, in my view, unreasonable. ¶ 73. This factor weighs in favor of Officer Tolbert.