Hawaii Lawmakers Want Cops to Call a Supervisor Before a Pursuit

A proposed law in Hawaii could change how police officers initiate chases — and it’s causing major pushback from law enforcement.

After a 2021 pursuit ended in a crash that severely injured six people and cost the state $20 million, lawmakers say it's time to standardize how police chases are handled across the islands.

Key Takeaways for Officers in Hawaii

HB 277 Requires Supervisor Approval Before Chasing Officers would need to get the green light from a supervisor before initiating a pursuit — even in fast-moving situations. Critics say this could cost precious time in serious cases.

Pursuit Reporting & Termination Guidelines Agencies must report all pursuit data and create clear policies on when to break off a chase.

Pushback from Law Enforcement The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers calls the bill dangerous, warning it will tie officers’ hands and make streets less safe.

Originally Targeted Serious Crimes Only Early drafts restricted pursuits to major felonies like murder or assault. After backlash, those limits were removed, allowing discretion for lower-level crimes.

1 in 3 Chases End in a Crash Data from Oahu shows that nearly a third of all police pursuits result in collisions — and nearly half of those cause injuries. Many began with minor traffic violations.

Lawmakers vs. Standards Board Lawmakers say they’re tired of waiting for the Hawaii Law Enforcement Standards Board, created in 2018 but still without a pursuit policy. The board says it’s working on it — slowly.

Why It Matters

Whether HB 277 passes or not, this debate signals a shift: Legislatures want more say in police tactics. Officers need to be aware of these discussions, especially in states where slow policy development creates legal gray areas and liability risk.