After reviewing data from more than 1,000 San Diego police chases, a city oversight group has recommended that the Police Department make about a dozen changes to its chase policy.
One of his top suggestions? The department should only engage in pursuits for incidents involving a violent crime. That’s a far cry from the department’s current policy, which allows officers to initiate pursuits even for minor infractions.
The city’s Police Practices Commission launched the review after an unlicensed driver who was allegedly fleeing from officers crashed his vehicle into another car. Two brothers, Mason and Malikai Orozco-Romero, ages 4 and 8, were passengers in the vehicle that was hit and did not survive.
During its analysis, the commission examined 1,044 pursuits initiated by San Diego officers from 2019 through July 16.
The review found that most of the chases, about 60 percent, began over infractions, minor offenses such as speeding or failing to stop at a red light.
Another finding: One in five pursuits, or about 220 chases, involved some type of collision, and 75 percent of those crashes left one or more people injured.
The commission found that black and Latino drivers were disproportionately involved in chases in the city. Nearly a quarter of the drivers chased were black, who make up just 6 percent of the city’s population. About 40 percent of the drivers were Latino, who make up 30 percent of the population.
A separate review of the chases by the Union-Tribune in March found similar findings.
At a meeting last month, the commission presented its analysis along with nearly 20 recommendations addressing department policy, training and other practices.
In addition to restricting when officers can participate in pursuits, the commission recommended that the department create a pursuit review board that would publish a quarterly report on pursuits in which officers participate.
It is unclear whether the department will implement any of the proposed changes. While the oversight group can make policy suggestions, it is up to the Police Department to decide whether changes will be made.
In a statement, a spokesman said police leaders were working to “analyze and evaluate” the commission’s recommendations.
“The San Diego Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety of all individuals involved when we engage in pursuits,” said Ashley Nicholes, communications manager for the department. “We look forward to further dialogue with the Commission regarding their suggestions.”
Many of the oversight group’s suggestions mirror a lengthy report released last year by several prominent law enforcement, traffic safety and research groups.
The publication includes 65 recommendations for departments to consider when developing their pursuit policies. The first of these is to restrict pursuits to violent offenders.
The commission also reviewed the prosecution policies of two dozen law enforcement agencies, including three local departments: the San Diego and Chula Vista police departments and the Sheriff’s Department.
“These recommendations are important to the entire City of San Diego because they directly impact public safety and confidence in law enforcement,” the commission said in its report. “Effective vehicle pursuit policies can prevent unnecessary risks to both officers and civilians, reducing the likelihood of accidents and injuries.”
Although experts and police leaders have long recognized the dangers of chases, policies vary considerably from department to department.
Some cities have struggled to find the right balance.
New Jersey reversed its pursuit policy to allow officers to pursue suspected car thieves after such crimes increased. San Francisco also relaxed its policy so officers could have more flexibility to pursue people suspected of shoplifting and other property crimes.
In a letter sent last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom asked Oakland leaders to make their pursuit policy more permissive. The department currently restricts pursuits for “violent force crimes.”
“I am aware of the sensitivities surrounding vehicle pursuits, which can be dangerous to police, suspects and innocent bystanders,” Newsom wrote in the July 26 letter. “But there is also extreme danger to the public in allowing criminals to act with impunity, and reckless driving associated with sideshows and other criminal acts is a significant threat to public safety.”
The commission’s findings were presented in a preliminary form. They will be presented again at a later date so that the board can vote on the next steps.
Original story:
Oversight board wants to seriously limit when San Diego police officers can chase drivers
