New Policy Allows Police To Shoot At Fleeing Cars

CBS CHICAGO ^ | Jul 29, 2009 | Mike Krauser

[envisio]

The Chicago Police Department has instituted a major change in policy regarding the use of deadly force.

Effective next Monday, police officers will be able to fire their guns under circumstances where they previously could not.

The new policy, from police Supt. Jody Weis and confirmed by WBBM Newsradio 780 Wednesday morning, allows police officers to shoot at fleeing vehicles if the driver or passengers are suspected of committing a felony.

The old policy allowed officers only to shoot at vehicles that pose a threat to them or others, such as if the driver were trying to run down the officer.

But now, officers need not be under attack to open fire.

[LongElegantLegs]

Well, I think we can all agree that Chicago is a quagmire...

[OldMissileer]

Since more and more offenses are being turned into felonies so our illustrious politicians and Government can take away many of our rights, especially our second ammendment right, it will not be long before they make some innocuous offense a felony and then shoot you dead when they see you driving your car. “Yes, your Honor, he was fleeing in his vehicle and we had a felony charge of Jaywalking on him. That is hardened criminal stuff, your Honor!”

Also, since we read about shoot outs where a dozen or more rounds are fired and not a single person in the fray gets hit, I would not like to see the story about the innocent bystanders and motorists getting hit as the police spray the area with lead.

[RabidBartender]

FINALLY!

Run, Ric Ocasek, you dirty Pavlína-stealer!

[Allegra]

Goodness....shooting at fleeing cars has been a policy where I live for at least five years...

;-)

[taxtruth]

No judge or jury needed in this situation to even say a felony was committed.This is a license to murder without a trial.We have entered NUTSVILLE.

[samtheman]

Testing a thuggish procedure in Chicago first before implementing it at the Federal level.

That’s exactly how our current Thugocracy intends to work.

[envisio]

To me, the initial crime makes no difference. Even if its someone fleeing to get out of a ticket, they are posing a threat to everyone on the road and need to be stopped immediately.

[org.whodat]

I have seen many of them firing, most could not hit a bull in the ass at twenty feet.

[screaminsunshine]

cool just like capone.

[AUH2O Repub]

If a man starts running with a chainsaw towards a pack of people, that would be grounds for deadly force. Same thing for a man careening his car toward traffic.

---

This is a far cry from shooting someone SUSPECTED of a felony (which can be a lot of non-violent crimes). More bystanders will be killed than felons if this policy is observed. Yeah, let's kill the driver of a speeding car- that's will be safe for everyone arrived.

[AUH2O Repub]

If a man starts running with a chainsaw towards a pack of people, that would be grounds for deadly force. Same thing for a man careening his car toward traffic.

---

This is a far cry from shooting someone SUSPECTED of a felony (which can be a lot of non-violent crimes). More bystanders will be killed than felons if this policy is observed. Yeah, let's kill the driver of a speeding car- that's will be safe for everyone around.

[Lurker]

Mark my words some kid is going to catch a round in the head because some CPD flatfoot decided to empty his Glock in the general direction of a 'suspected fleeing felon'.

That family is going to end up owning City Hall.

[envisio]

“””This is a far cry from shooting someone SUSPECTED of a felonY”””

The guy with the chainsaw might not have committed a crime at all. But he needs to be stopped.

[CSM]

“Since more and more offenses are being turned into felonies so our illustrious politicians and Government can take away many of our rights,...”

Your comment begs for my favorite quote:

********************

“There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What’s there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted and you create a nation of law-breakers.”

Quote by: Ayn Rand
(1905-1982) Author
Source: “Atlas Shrugged”, Part II, Chapter 3

[CGTRWK]

Aggravated fleeing or eluding in Illinois is already a felony in itself. Fire at will.

[swain_forkbeard]

What if the shooting damages the driver or car and causes a collision that harms innocent people?

[MPJackal]

Really?? I know of a case where a cop shot at a vehicle that ran a road block. Hit a young man asleep in the back seat that had just asked for a ride home.

I'm just saying. I also thought you were presumed innocent until proven guilty. I guess this would avoid all the hassle of a court case.

[SeaHawkFan]

I’m glad you posted that case so I don’t have to do it on my Blackberry.

[Mr. Quarterpanel]

I am sure they would take that into consideration before shooting......

LOL!!! Good one!!!

[lucias_clay]

Shooting fleeing felons used to be the norm in this fair land.