March 10, 2025 — The Aurora Police Department has implemented a revised Pursuit Policy as part of its ongoing commitment to protecting the city of Aurora community and holding criminal offenders accountable. The update ensures that our officers have the necessary tools to apprehend suspects while prioritizing public safety.
Pursuits are now authorized under the following circumstances:
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The suspect has committed or is committing a felony and presents a serious risk to public safety if not immediately apprehended.
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The suspect has committed or is committing a crime involving a firearm that poses a serious threat of harm to the public.
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The suspect is driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (DUI/DWI).
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The suspect is driving a motor vehicle that has been confirmed stolen.
The policy changes underscore APD’s dedication to maintaining social order and ensuring that those who break the law are held accountable. Officers are entrusted with the judgment to initiate, continue or terminate pursuits based on real-time assessments, with an emphasis on accountability in decision-making.
Continuous risk assessment is mandated throughout a pursuit, taking into consideration factors such as traffic conditions, time of day and the severity of the offense. Leadership oversight plays a crucial role, as supervisors actively monitor pursuits, provide guidance and make decisions to terminate them when the risks outweigh the benefits.
“As the Chief of Police, my primary responsibility is ensuring the safety of the Aurora community while upholding the rights of residents not to be victimized by crime. Over the past several years, the Aurora Police Department has not engaged in pursuits of stolen vehicles, despite auto theft being a felony offense,” said Aurora police Chief Todd Chamberlain. “This has created a reality where offenders believe they can victimize our community with no consequence, simply fleeing from law enforcement to avoid accountability.
“This is unacceptable. Public safety demands a balanced approach; one that allows officers to exercise discretion in holding offenders accountable while always considering the risks associated with vehicle pursuits. Under our new policy, officers will have greater ability to pursue stolen vehicles, reinforcing that crime will not be tolerated in Aurora. This broader policy does not mean that officers engage in reckless chases, but rather a measured and responsible approach to stopping those who exploit gaps in enforcement.
“This agency remains committed to prioritizing public safety in every decision we make. Pursuits will be conducted in a manner that weighs the risk to the community against the necessity of apprehending criminals who threaten our residents. Aurora is not a place where offenders can operate without fear of consequence. We will not allow crime to dictate the safety of our city, and we will continue to take decisive action to protect those who live, work and visit here.”
The new pursuit policy went into effect on March 5. All Aurora Police Department policies can be found online by visiting AuroraPolice.com.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095