Chicago Police Are No Longer Allowed To Chase People For Minor Offenses Under New Policy

WBEZ ^ | 5/26/2021 | Patrick Smith

[simpson96]

Two months after the police killing of 13-year-old Adam Toledo, Chicago police on Wednesday unveiled a new policy governing when and how officers should engage in foot chases.

The policy tells officers they are not allowed to pursue someone suspected only of committing a minor traffic offense, or suspected of committing a low-level misdemeanor, unless the person poses an “obvious” threat to the community.

It also provides guidance on ways cops can avoid foot pursuits altogether, and directs Chicago police to never chase if they believe the risk to officers or the public outweighs the need for “immediate apprehension.”

The new guidelines mark the first time the city has put in writing specific directives to officers when it comes to chasing suspects on foot - something experts say is one of the most dangerous activities in which officers engage.

“This [will] give officers an opportunity, maybe to slow things down and have a better outcome when they’re trying to capture suspects,” Superintendent David Brown said. “That is the intent of a foot pursuit policy, you know … ‘let’s use de escalation, let’s set up a perimeter if need be. Let’s choose the right place to capture him and the right time to capture him or her.’ ”

(snip)

Brown was asked on Wednesday whether there were concerns the new policy would make it harder for police to catch criminals.

“There’s no data to support that crime goes up because foot pursuit policies have been implemented” in other cities, Brown said.

[joshua c]

no matter how bad it gets what are they gonna do? vote republican?

[Lurkinanloomin]

Carte blanche for the criminals.

[Lazamataz]

Here's a pic of what a stupid moron looks like.

Not understanding why you would call a walleye bass, a stupid moron.

[Bullish]

Walleye bass are 10 times smarter than Mayor Grut. They can find their own way home without a driver.

[Svartalfiar]

The policy tells officers they are not allowed to pursue someone suspected only of committing a minor traffic offense, or suspected of committing a low-level misdemeanor, unless the person poses an “obvious” threat to the community.

If someone takes off because of a "broken taillight", is that not an obvious sign that they've done something more than a simple traffic offense?