specifically highly-trained drivers
This is the sort of phrase that worries me
We've had officers 'highly-trained' in all manner of interventions, weapons, high speed pursuit (or whatever its called) tasers etc, and I'm sure they are - but errors still occur, bad choices are made. This is not blaming the police, just human nature and the nature of the situation. We shouldn't deny that there is risk involved, just assess those risks honestly and upfront
Anyway, something had to be tried, the policy is in place and appears to be working
, lets hope nee bugger gets hurt who shouldn't be, police officers are protected, and the criminals are dealt with by the legal processes.