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: 55. This is page 1 of 6.
John Tallahassee, FL
Posted: 06:36 am [PST] on June 15 2009
When you go through as much training as police officers do, you must let them do their jobs. Civilians cannot possibly understand the life of an officer and should stay out of their affairs
Eric Sarasota, FL
Posted: 01:38 pm [PST] on April 07 2009
This issue could be more effectively mitigated through training and not restriction. Give these officers the knowledge to make solid decisions during their foot pursuits. This is an inherently dangerous job. Calculated and measured risks are accepted as part of the profession.
Darryl Location unknown
Posted: 08:47 am [PST] on January 30 2009
The job is inherently dangerous.
Deputies need to take people to jail.
More people run and flee from cops now than ever because they know they will we simply follow for a great distance and time which increases the odds of them getting away.
I am a LA COunty Deputy and I want to do my job.
Future Deputy Kern County
Posted: 06:57 pm [PST] on January 29 2009
I believe the threat level needs to dictate whether to pursue or not pursue. Kind of like a vehicle pursuit. If it's a first time offender for running a red light OR a know criminal with a violent past. We all know going after the criminal would be a given.
rennick brown los angeles
Posted: 08:21 pm [PST] on November 20 2008
i sound like CHIEF BILL McSWEENEY has not worked the field in a long time...when u take away options that a police officers has to apprend the suspect...the bad guys win...it's time that upper management think more about there officers and not about what the public think...bad guys are bad guys...they'll always be bad guys...let officers do there job without having a chief in the backseat of their patrol car.
Ty Yorba Linda
Posted: 09:01 pm [PST] on September 24 2008
This Policy is not for the safety of the Officer but rather to reduce "Use of Force." This is truly a department that is afraid of civil liability and I don't believe this was implemented for Officer Safety. This is exactly what we call "Broken Window Effect" and this is the start of the end for Law Enforcement.
retired stoneyboy california
Posted: 09:01 pm [PST] on May 24 2008
Baca.... you need to be gone
John San Diego
Posted: 09:09 am [PST] on April 29 2008
Yes Phil from Alabama, COPS don't have an obligation to risk their lives, but most do voluntarily. That's why they chose the profession. As stated by WW from AZ, Keep being a sheep and let the sheepdogs do their jobs! It is political bureaucrats that prevent officers from doing their job the right way.
Phillip Lambro Los Angeles
Posted: 01:55 pm [PST] on March 01 2008
Invite the Elohim Extraterrestrials who have the ability to arrest the field of force without confrontation, and through chemical alteration of the brain render violent criminals peaceful with remorse for their previous actions.
Phillip Alabama
Posted: 11:34 am [PST] on February 13 2008
So the cops have no legal obligation to risk their life to protect us, and now they don't even have to give chase?
Why do we have cops again?