CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne joins Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold A. Pretel in announcing a revision of the policies and procedures that guide the Sheriff’s Department on vehicle pursuits.

The Sheriff’s Department took guidance from the Police Executive Research Forum, the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board in their review of the Vehicle Pursuit Policy. The Sheriff’s Department also received input from public stakeholders, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, and County Council.

Key updates include more specific directives on when deputies are permitted to initiate a vehicle pursuit, when a vehicle pursuit must be terminated, pursuit driving tactics, pursuit supervisory duties, and pursuit after-action reporting. These updates will provide deputies with the direction and tools they need to carry out their duties safely and effectively. 

Per the revised policy, deputies shall only initiate a vehicle pursuit when the suspect is reasonably believed to have committed an offense of violence (or an offense in another jurisdiction which is equivalent) which is classified as a felony.

The Sheriff’s Department is also renaming the Downtown Safety Patrol the Community Support Unit, to better reflect the proactive work the unit is already doing in collaboration with municipalities throughout Cuyahoga County. Since the unit began, it has assisted cities throughout Cuyahoga County, including Beachwood, Cleveland, East Cleveland, Euclid, Lakewood, and South Euclid. This work supports the Sheriff Department’s goal to serve residents through increased patrols and visibility, stronger engagement with communities, and better collaboration with local law enforcement agencies. 

“Safety is top of mind for everyone who lives, works, and visits Cuyahoga County,” said County Executive Chris Ronayne. “That is why these changes are so important. I want to thank Sheriff Pretel and his team for implementing a thorough review to ensure the department has the best policies in place and the right approach to keeping residents safe while building trust throughout our communities.”

“Our goal is to keep residents safe while building stronger connections with the communities we serve,” said Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold A. Pretel. “Aligning our Vehicle Pursuits and Interventions policy with national best practices ensures safety remains a top priority, while formalizing county-wide support through the Community Support Unit means reaching and engaging more residents, while supporting the safety needs of all of the communities we serve.”

The Community Support Unit and the revision of the Vehicle Pursuits and Interventions policy are part of a broader strategy to enhance public safety throughout Cuyahoga County. 

Vehicle Pursuits and Interventions policy