The police Fleeing Driver Policy was updated this year to bring it into line with other police policy, but generally pursuits happened when drivers did not stop when signalled.
"There is a group of drivers, predominately young males, who are failing to comply with their statutory obligations to stop for police when requested or signalled to do so, and who then engage in unsafe driving in their attempts to evade apprehension," she said.
Fleeing driver incidents typically only lasted a few minutes, and were abandoned if it was considered unsafe to continue.
The recent amendments stemmed from a desire within the police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority to continue to improve their pursuit policy and ensure public and staff safety, which was paramount, she said.
The changes were aimed at increasing response flexibility, decision making under pressure, safety and resolution of incidents.
A new risk assessment tool had been introduced where the field officer, who was previously only able to recommend abandoning a chase, was now empowered to order stopping the pursuit, as could the staff involved and the incident controller at the communications centre.
"Abandoned incidents will only restart with the controller's consent if the risks have been mitigated or the situation has changed," she said.