Are the police allowed to commandeer your car to chase criminals?

[Florenz]

I always thought they were but DH says they can't in this country, only in America and even only then in certain States.

Yes, seriously. Whether they tried to commandeer my phone or my car I would assume nefarious motives.

However from extensive study of action films I don’t think you’d be given a choice or an explanation – as with @Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies’s experience or Keanu Reeves in the sports car in Speed, commandeering would surely be a matter of urgency so they’d just do it, legal or not.

Police can seize items used in evidence such as phones which may hold evidence. Cars can be seized too for evidence. But not taken to chase someone.