Community Police Vehicle Pursuit Panel “Creating Community Panels to Form Partnerships in High-Liability Policy Making” On March 8, 2004, the Orlando Police Department adopted a change in their vehicle pursuit policy based on recommendations from a community panel assembled by Chief Michael McCoy. After a discussion with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer in early 2004, Chief McCoy assembled panel that included 15 members from the local Orlando community. The community panel met on a regular basis over a four-month period. After conducting hearings, comparison analysis of pursuit policies from across the country, and consultation from a national pursuit expert (Dr. Geoffrey Alpert, Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of South Carolina) the panel developed new language and recommendations for the police department’s vehicle pursuit policy. The panel’s recommendations were accepted and implemented into policy. Since implementation of the panel’s recommendations nearly a year ago, Orlando Police officers have been involved in only six vehicle pursuits. Additionally, the new policy requires the department to increase data collection and review of all pursuits and vehicles that flee from officers. Based on community expectations, this new pursuit policy is considered a model policy for the country. For information on the community pursuit panel or the Orlando Police vehicle pursuit policy, contact Captain Paul Rooney of the Professional Standards Division at 407-246-3854.