California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday called on Oakland authorities to change an “extreme” policy that typically allows police to pursue suspected criminals only in cases of “violent crimes.”
The governor sent a letter to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, the Oakland City Council and the Oakland Police Commission, urging them to reconsider the Oakland Police Department’s (OPD) policy that limits officers’ ability to pursue suspects.
“While some California jurisdictions permit vehicle pursuits only for certain crimes (e.g., felony crimes), Oakland is an outlier in imposing exceptional restrictions on OPD’s ability to police criminal activity, generally permitting pursuits only for ‘violent force crimes,’ as defined in OPD policy, and crimes involving firearms,” Newsom wrote.
The letter said that unlike most other jurisdictions in the state, local police in Oakland are prohibited from pursuing people suspected of various felonies and misdemeanors, including violent ones, as well as other offenses that endanger public safety, such as reckless driving, performing and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM ORDERS DISMANTLING OF HOMELESS CAMPS ACROSS CALIFORNIA: ‘NO MORE EXCUSES’
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks in Sacramento, California, on January 10, 2023. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas, File)
“I am aware of the sensitivities surrounding car chases, which can be dangerous to police, suspects, and innocent bystanders,” the governor wrote. “The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training recognizes and addresses this issue in its standards-setting guidelines. But there is also an extreme danger to the public in allowing criminals to operate with impunity, and the reckless driving associated with car chases and other criminal acts poses a significant threat to public safety, as the public regularly sees in viral videos and media reports.”
The move follows Newsom’s recent decision to increase California Highway Patrol (CHP) personnel in Oakland to conduct surge operations targeting organized crime, sideshows, carjackings and other criminal activity.
Newsom said the move quickly led to the arrest of several suspects accused of committing the crimes. Two days after the governor’s announcement, the CHP used ground and air assets to conduct a surge operation targeting sideshows. Multiple vehicle pursuits during the operation led to five felony arrests, eight DUI arrests, the recovery of eight stolen vehicles and the seizure of two firearms.
“During the course of CHP operations, however, they have observed, based on their professional law enforcement experience and expertise, certain dynamics that contribute to Oakland’s public safety problems,” Newsom wrote in the letter. “In particular, CHP has brought to my attention that they have observed that criminals often get away with impunity because it is common knowledge that the Oakland Police Department’s (OPD) pursuit policy only allows vehicle pursuits in very limited circumstances.”
Newsom said the CHP observed suspects trying to avoid arrest by taking the same routes, meaning the suspects knew where police would stop pursuing them. But, the governor said, the suspects were unable to avoid the six pursuits launched by the CHP, which had a number of resources, including air support.
CA SCHOOL DISTRICT SUES NEWSOM OVER BILL THAT BANS SCHOOLS FROM INFORMING PARENTS ABOUT CHILD’S GENDER IDENTITY
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Any policy on car chases must be clear-eyed and weigh the pros and cons,” Newsom’s letter reads. “Given Oakland’s public safety challenges and the fact that OPD’s pursuit policy is an outlier among California law enforcement agencies, I support the City Council’s recent action to order a review of this policy.”
“I urge you to reconsider whether OPD should be authorized to pursue suspects in more circumstances to improve public safety in your city and to establish a process to evaluate whether OPD is using its full authority, including that granted under the existing pursuit policy, to protect public safety and enforce the law,” he continued.
Newsom concluded his letter by saying he is committed to improving public safety in Oakland and across California. He said there have been recent improvements to public safety, but officials “owe it to our communities to continue to look for solutions.”
Fox
