Los Angeles, CA: Three top cops debate whether or not police policy should prohibit officers from chasing criminal suspects on foot when they are alone or without police back-up. In an eight minute Video News Blog, Full Disclosure Network® presents a dynamic exchange of views as presented by LASD Chief William McSweeney, Detective Roy Burns,(retired LASD) and LAPD Captain Ken Hillman, (retired). The video is available for viewing FREE, on demand, 24/7 as a public service of the Full Disclosure Network®.
Here are a few points made during this debate:
- CHIEF BILL McSWEENEY: Says that Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has a policy prohibiting a single patrol Deputy from chasing and challenging a suspect on foot. The Department policy says that they are not to physically engage the suspect so as not to endanger the officer or the suspect.
- DET. ROY BURNS, LASD (ret) Points out that in Compton, the 4th most dangerous city in America, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department only has one officer assigned to each patrol car. He says foot pursuit ban is not needed due to the fact it has been over 20 years since the last LASD Deputy was killed in a foot pursuit and only four in the last 50 years.
- CAPTAIN: KEN HILLMAN: Says management should "never restrict officers from doing their duty" and then asks..."what kind of a message does that send to the community and to gang members?" "Do we really want our officers only to be a clean up crew to crime scenes?"
Following the video news debate viewers are asked to participate in an online survey by casting their vote on questions pertaining to the issue. They are also asked to leave their comments and to join in the online blog discussion of the issue.
Billed as "the news behind the news" the Full Disclosure Network® is an independent, educational, public affairs cable program featured on 43 cable systems and the worldwide Internet website www.fulldisclosure.net/ Hosted by Leslie Dutton, who in 2002 was presented with a public affairs Emmy Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for their series entitled "L.A.'s War Against Terrorism". Channels and airtimes can be found on the website.
Comments to date: 66. This is page 1 of 7.
thomas wilkins national city San Diego County
Posted: 01:12 pm [PST] on May 10 2011
State and Federal Law supports that officers can pursue. If Officer are not safe, then they cannot safely defend the public.
Jeff Tempe, Az
Posted: 03:05 pm [PST] on August 26 2010
We we have fully de-powered our law enforcement officers, and they become completely emaciated, the dangerous society that follows will be ruled by the strong.
Karen Popka Burgaw, NC
Posted: 10:38 am [PST] on May 09 2010
There has to be a medium line drawn. Safety and liability are important however when you are trained to use a gun...whether it is for hobby or for career you are taking a risk. Therefore to be an officer you walk into the job greatly aware of the risks, I know this from experience. Foot pursuits are part of the job and better, clearer training should be provided. Repeat sceniaro training is the best way to coordinate all these different concerns. Once this training is eztablished then legislation should back up the training techniques used so that officers doing there jobs are not wrongly repremanded. Didn't the Rodney King incident, the Vietnam veteran's return home neglect teach us anything about morale, etc.? These men and women love their country enough to put their lives on the line everyday to protect the people they love. And who they love is each of us.
Naomi Jahn New Castle, Indiana
Posted: 04:13 pm [PST] on March 18 2010
I believe in officer discretion and not for limiting the job that officers do. I live in a small town so I say no here to making it two officers to a care but in high crime areas of this country it should be mandated that there be two officers to the cars.
K.P. NORWALK
Posted: 01:19 am [PST] on February 20 2010
BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
robert ago torrance
Posted: 06:10 pm [PST] on November 04 2009
They should't chase alone. If they are going to stop people on foot, try to work with a partner on days when you have free time. Other time, follow and broadcast.
Michael La Mirada
Posted: 03:34 pm [PST] on September 21 2009
Why give Law Enforcement tools and tell them not to use them? By limiting foot pursuits you're limiting use of job tools. I think two person patrols increase officer safety, accountabilty, suspects are less likely to fight or run and more suspects will be caught.
G. Warner Orange County
Posted: 01:52 pm [PST] on September 15 2009
Solo officers should not attempt to overtake and physically contact a fleeing subject, but should attempt to maintain a safe following distance where visual observation can be kept until suficient back up arrives.
D. Higdon Location unknown
Posted: 09:34 am [PST] on September 07 2009
The very second any Officer takes oath of office it is understood by all that he or she is placing themselves in harms way in order to protect the people of the community in witch they patrol.
No situation is routine and many times an Officer must react to hi or her instincts and should not be punished for doing their jobs.
University of Phoenix class El Centro, CA
Posted: 05:35 pm [PST] on August 26 2009
Split opinion on the elimination of single-person patrol cars based on the nature of the agency. The third question is poorly worded and not based on video clip as it is the public/suspect getting hurt in the foot pursuit cases principally.