CA Lawmakers Push For Police Pursuit Reform

[Kate]

CNN.com

Lawmakers Push For Police Pursuit Reform
Senate Hearing Planned

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A group of Democrat and Republican lawmakers joined forces at the state Capitol Monday to put the brakes on a growing number of fatal police pursuits across California.

Candy Priano is a devastated mother. Her daughter, Kristie, was an innocent victim killed by a driver who was fleeing from police.

Priano stood inside the state Capitol Monday on a renewed crusade to cut down on unnecessary police pursuits.

"To prevent this so no other mother has to bury a child," Priano said.

The danger of high-speed pursuits was again highlighted in Sacramento this past week. On Friday, a pursuit ended in a crash on Clinton Way. The week before, there were three separate pursuits in four days. They all ended in crashes.

In 2003, 51 people were killed in police pursuits, and 18 of those were innocent victims. That is why state Sens. Sam Aanestad and Gloria Romero have unveiled new legislation seeking stricter guidelines for pursuits, limiting police immunity in those pursuits, and opening up cities and counties to liability if police officers willfully don't adhere to those guidelines.

"I believe the only way to make them adhere to them is to make them liable," Aanestad said.

"If we don't have the ability to pursue criminals, basically, you're going to have anarchy," said Peace Officers Research Association spokesman Ron Cottingham.

Almost immediately, law enforcement groups expressed opposition. Sacramento's sheriff and police agencies do agree uniform guidelines and training are acceptable, but opening officers up to greater liability is not, they say.

"To tie hands of law enforcement, instead of enhancing penalties for those who chose to flee, is contrary to good judgment and good law," said Sacramento County Undersheriff John McGinness.

Regardless, Priano says something must be done to limit police pursuits that can make innocent bystanders victims.

"I wish everybody who understood this issue understood that their own lives depend on it. That's really the case. I never thought this would happen to me," Priano said.

Now, legislators want to work with law enforcement to create new guidelines. A Senate hearing to discuss ideas is slated for Wednesday inside the Capitol.

[hitnrun]

Why is it that everyone wants to take our fun away? j/k. Maybe we should start carrying capguns and inert OC too! I can't WAIT to see how this turns out.

[Strijder]

How about assigning liability where it belongs? With the ones running? :mad:

[mcsap]

We are required to fill out a pursuit report after ANY pursuit and submit it to State Police HQ for review.

It isn't uncommon fo ran officer to say to dispatch " I am not chasing them,. they are just refusing to pull over :

[KittyMom]

But whatever will the people in LA do for entertainment???

[Samuel]

"If we don't have the ability to pursue criminals, basically, you're going to have anarchy," said Peace Officers Research Association spokesman Ron Cottingham.

"To tie hands of law enforcement, instead of enhancing penalties for those who chose to flee, is contrary to good judgment and good law," said Sacramento County Undersheriff John McGinness.

That's it in a nutshell but ALL the proponents of this bill are too blind/stupid to see the light.

:mad: