California Governor Gavin Newsom has called on Oakland officials to revise their policy restricting police chases to only cases of “violent forcible crimes.” Newsom urged Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, the City Council, and the Police Commission to reconsider the limitations placed on the Oakland Police Department (OPD) in pursuing suspects. Unlike most California jurisdictions, Oakland restricts pursuits to a narrow category of crimes, preventing officers from pursuing suspects accused of various felonies, misdemeanors, and other offenses endangering public safety.
The governor emphasized the need to balance the risks and benefits of pursuits, acknowledging the danger they pose while emphasizing the importance of preventing criminals from acting with impunity. Newsom recently deployed the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in Oakland to target organized crime, sideshows, and other criminal activities, resulting in numerous arrests and seizures. The CHP highlighted the limitations of OPD’s pursuit policy, which allowed suspects to evade arrest by exploiting known restrictions.
Newsom urged Oakland officials to review and potentially expand OPD’s authority to pursue suspects as a means of enhancing public safety and enforcing the law. He reiterated his commitment to improving public safety in Oakland and throughout California, emphasizing the ongoing search for solutions to address community concerns.
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