Council Bluffs Limits Police Pursuits for Minor Offenses
The department's new policy bars high-speed chases over low-level offenses after an October 28 crash involving a FedEx truck.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The Council Bluffs Police Department has restricted its pursuit policy, which previously had no limits, so that officers will not chase suspects for low-level offenses such as running a stop sign. The change follows a pursuit of a stolen black truck that crashed into a FedEx truck at 24th and Veterans Memorial Highway just after midnight on October 28.
Why it matters
The restrictions are intended to prevent high-speed pursuits through the city over minor offenses and to remove split-second decision-making from officers for low-level violations. Residents and drivers in Council Bluffs will see simple traffic offenses handled through dashboard and red light cameras instead.
The stolen-vehicle pursuit falls under the revised guidelines because it involved the felony of a stolen vehicle and the felony of fleeing police. The FedEx driver was not seriously injured, while the driver of the stolen truck was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries including a broken leg.
The players
Council Bluffs Police Department
The municipal police agency of Council Bluffs, Iowa, which set the revised pursuit guidelines following the October 28 crash.
The details
Council Bluffs police chased a stolen black truck that crashed into a FedEx truck at 24th and Veterans Memorial Highway. The Chief of Police implemented the restrictions, which give officers guidelines removing the need to weigh risk for low-level offenses such as stealing a candy bar.
Timeline
October 28: Pursuit crash occurs at 24th and Veterans Memorial Highway just after midnight.
Late October or early November: Police chief implements the new pursuit restrictions.
Legal Context
Council Bluffs' revised policy narrows when officers may initiate high-speed chases, aligning with a broader movement among police agencies to limit pursuits to serious or violent felonies. The change places the city's pursuit rules at the stricter end of that trend, with minor traffic offenses routed to camera enforcement.
Drivers in Council Bluffs are less likely to face high-speed police chases over minor infractions such as running a stop sign. Simple traffic violations will instead be addressed through dashboard and red light cameras, and misdemeanors will be handled under the same camera-based approach.
The takeaway
Under the revised policy, minor traffic violations in Council Bluffs will be handled through camera enforcement rather than police pursuit. Drivers can expect fewer high-speed chases over low-level offenses.
Further reading
Explore more Law Enforcement coverage from Council Bluffs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KETV.
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