Newsom wants Oakland to make police chase rules stricter

California Governor Gavin Newsom is calling for a change in Oakland’s restrictive policy on police pursuits. In a letter addressed to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, the Oakland City Council, and the Oakland Police Commission, Newsom urged officials to reconsider the current policy that severely limits officers’ ability to pursue suspects.

The existing policy in Oakland only allows police to chase suspected criminals in cases of “violent forcible crimes,” which is considered extreme compared to other jurisdictions in California. This means that officers in Oakland are prohibited from pursuing individuals suspected of various felonies, misdemeanors, and offenses that endanger public safety, such as reckless driving, sideshow activity, and driving under the influence.

While acknowledging the dangers associated with vehicle pursuits, Newsom emphasized the need to prevent criminals from acting with impunity. He highlighted the significant threat to public safety posed by reckless driving and criminal acts like sideshows, which have been a common occurrence in Oakland.

In response to the escalating public safety concerns in Oakland, Newsom recently deployed additional California Highway Patrol (CHP) forces to conduct surge operations targeting organized crime, sideshows, carjackings, and other criminal activities. The move has already resulted in several arrests and the recovery of stolen vehicles and weapons.

However, despite these efforts, Newsom pointed out that the current pursuit policy in Oakland hinders law enforcement’s ability to effectively address public safety challenges. Criminals are reportedly aware of the limitations imposed by the policy, leading to increased incidents of fleeing and evading arrest.

Newsom expressed support for the City Council’s decision to review the pursuit policy and urged officials to consider expanding the circumstances under which officers can pursue suspects. He emphasized the importance of striking a balance between risks and benefits in any pursuit policy and called for a thorough evaluation of OPD’s authority to protect public safety and enforce the law.

In conclusion, Newsom reiterated his commitment to improving public safety in Oakland and across California. While acknowledging some recent progress in enhancing public safety, he emphasized the ongoing need to seek effective solutions to address the challenges faced by communities.