Alaska Agency's Policy Curtails Shooting at Vehicles

Following a series of officer-involved shootings, the Anchorage (Alaska) Police Department has altered its use-of-force policy to limit officers' ability to fire at moving vehicles.

The agency revamped its policy so officers may not fire at a moving vehicle in situations where the suspect is using the vehicle as the only weapon, Police Chief Mark Mew said in a statement on the agency's Web site. If the suspect is also armed, officers can use deadly force, Mew said in a Tuesday press conference, reports the Alaska Dispatch .

An officer firing at a moving vehicle creates a high risk for public safety as well as the officers involved, Chief Mew said.

"More often than not, these types of events are on roadways, in neighborhoods, and places where other bystanders are around," Mew said in the statement. "There may also be passengers in the subject vehicles that may or may not be willing participants in the driver's criminal behavior."