The WA Police Union has called for a ban on car chases.

The union wants a review of the policies surrounding police pursuits as part of an investigation into a police chase in December. 

In that incident, an allegedly armed offender was apprehended after several hours on the run by police using a “boxing-in” technique.

The union says officers were pressured into using pursuit tactics they had not been trained for.

“As a result of the resolution of that incident, we now have 26 officers being investigated for actions they did in trying to bring that incident to a complete halt,” says WA Police Union (WAPU) acting president Paul Gale.

“If they're not following protocol, absolutely they should be investigated, but we're talking mainly administrative facets to the policy.”

He said police tactics including manoeuvres known as “boxing-in”, the “pit manoeuvre” to stop fleeing cars are not protected by policy.

“They're being encouraged and authorised by our police operation centre to use a method that is not within the commissioner's policy, and as soon as we're outside the commissioner's policies then we're subject to possible criminal offences,” Mr Gale said. 

“For their own protection, until a complete review is done, I am asking our members to not engage in pursuits, until the agency commits to a review to looking at what it is that needs to be more flexible to allow our officers to actually do the job properly.

“If we're going to allow our officers to engage in this type of activity, we need to ensure that our officers are protected legally, they have the requisite training to do this, and [they have] the requisite vehicles to actually engage in this type of activity.”

The union is also in an ongoing dispute with the government over pay and conditions.

WA Police Acting Commissioner Kylie Whiteley says the officers being investigated still have the support of her and WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch.

“This incident is quite an extreme example of some of the evade police incidents that we incur within the agency,” she said.

“What I will say is there has been an administrative review in relation to this matter. 

“They have allocated seven frontline officers who are seasoned investigators, and frontline officers will contemplate whether those officers have in fact breached any policies or committed any offences.”

She said the findings of the review will inform any potential changes to policy or training.