At least in the US, it appears most law enforcement agencies have deemed roadblocks as "unsafe", and instead have favored tracking mode (In my opinion, a worthless thing).  I understand that in this day and age, a roadblock is a nightmare for traffic, especially for those distracted drivers.  Still, I don't see why roadblocks are all of a sudden non existent.  Is there anywhere in the US that still utilizes them?  Do other countries use them still?

@Deputy Rourke Do you mean NFS-style roadblocks to trap a fleeing suspect or preventing traffic from entering a highway to PIT the suspect safely?

29 minutes ago, Deputy Rourke said:

At least in the US, it appears most law enforcement agencies have deemed roadblocks as "unsafe", and instead have favored tracking mode (In my opinion, a worthless thing).  I understand that in this day and age, a roadblock is a nightmare for traffic, especially for those distracted drivers.  Still, I don't see why roadblocks are all of a sudden non existent.  Is there anywhere in the US that still utilizes them?  Do other countries use them still?

 

It's not "all of a sudden;" police pursuit tactics have been changing for a long time now, and stationary roadblocks were one of the first things departments moved away from. Pursuits are very dangerous for the suspect, for officers, and for bystanders. Police are sworn to protect, not to apprehend by any means necessary. With few exceptions, police are expected to let a suspect escape if the only alternative is killing them. Stationary roadblocks present a fairly high risk of the suspect crashing into them and dying. Ever since the courts ruled (in 1989) that a stationary roadblock does count as a seizure, departments have mostly eliminated them as a tactic. While police can use potentially-deadly techniques to stop a high-speed chase that threatens the lives of the public, that doesn't mean they should when safer options exist.

Since that discussion is open, what about moving roadblocks? Blocking the way in front of the suspect with a couple police vehicles as they drive to force the suspect to a stop.

In my country roadblocks are rarely used (because the officers would have to pay for repairing the fleet cars), but under the law police may order truck drivers to block the road with their vehicles, and this is somewhat a frequent measure. Yet to hear about casualties...

 

8 hours ago, Hystery said:

Since that discussion is open, what about moving roadblocks? Blocking the way in front of the suspect with a couple police vehicles as they drive to force the suspect to a stop.

Are they even used in the US? I heard that getting in front of a fleeing car is dangerous, can get shot. I have no clue about National Police tactics, by the way, maybe you could share something about how is it done in your country? Who's in charge of a change, police or the Gendarmerie?

Pretty sure it's not a thing here, since, well, for a start, we rarely have pursuits going on, and when we do, half the time our cars are outrun. No idea if that's a thing in the US either to be honest, I'm merely curious since moving roadblocks are seen in quite a few video games.

16 minutes ago, Hystery said:

 No idea if that's a thing in the US either to be honest, I'm merely curious since moving roadblocks are seen in quite a few video games.

NFS Hot Pursuit featured a police helicopter dropping explosive barrels :D Guess that's not a widespread pursuit procedure...

19 minutes ago, Hystery said:

Pretty sure it's not a thing here, since, well, for a start, we rarely have pursuits going on, and when we do, half the time our cars are outrun.

Better being outrun than... Well...

 

The traditional roadblock seen in movies where all traffic is stopped and cop cars are perpendicular to the road doesn't happen anymore.

 

Some things that are still done is blocking off streets (such as entrances to highways) in order to keep civilians out of the way and rolling roadblocks where police position their vehicle in front of the suspect in order to slow him down. That's often done in agencies that don't authorize the pit maneuver. Also, there have been times where truck drivers have been called on their radio to block both lanes in order to slow a suspect down.

 

53 minutes ago, c13 said:

Also, there have been times where truck drivers have been called on their radio to block both lanes in order to slow a suspect down.

 

In this situation who bears the repair costs?

On 05/06/2017 at 5:34 PM, c13 said:

and rolling roadblocks where police position their vehicle in front of the suspect in order to slow him down. That's often done in agencies that don't authorize the pit maneuver. 

 

Oh so it is actually a thing. Thanks for the insight.

On 6/5/2017 at 0:29 PM, Hastings said:

In this situation who bears the repair costs?

Not sure. I think it has more to do with slowing down a speeder than an actual pursuit tactic.

Rolling/moving roadblocks, both with Officers in front and on both sides of the vehicle (if safe) or contacting 18-wheelers via Citizen Band radio are still used in some areas, particularly on freeways and interstates in the US, particularly in rural areas. This method, however, is becoming more uncommon.  

 

In more urban areas, though, police units ahead of the suspect will block traffic at intersections and also deploy stingers/spike strips in an attempt to stop the suspect, if the PIT maneuver is not authorized or is unsuccessful. 

Never had roadblocks in Australia, closest is the use of stop sticks.