California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Friday called on Oakland officials to revise an “extreme” policy that generally allows police to pursue suspects only in “violent forcible crimes.”
The Governor sent a letter to Oakland Mayor Shen Tao, the Oakland City Council and the Oakland Police Commission urging them to reconsider Oakland Police Department (OPD) policies that limit officers’ ability to pursue suspects.
“While some jurisdictions in California only permit vehicle pursuits for certain crimes (e.g., felonies), the City of Oakland makes an exception and limits the Oakland Police Department’s ability to police criminal activity by only permitting pursuits for ‘violent forcible crimes’ as defined by Oakland Police Department policy and crimes involving firearms,” Newsom wrote.
The letter states that unlike most other jurisdictions in the state, Oakland’s local police are prohibited from pursuing people suspected of committing a variety of felonies and misdemeanors, including violent acts, as well as other crimes that endanger public safety, such as reckless driving, entertainment and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Governor Newsom orders demolition of homeless camps across California: ‘No more excuses’
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks in Sacramento, California, on January 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Villegas, File)
“I am mindful of the sensitive issues surrounding vehicle pursuits that can be dangerous for police, suspects, and innocent bystanders,” the governor wrote. “The California Police Officer Standards and Training Commission recognizes and addresses this in its standard-setting guidelines. However, allowing criminals to operate with impunity is extremely dangerous to the public, and reckless driving associated with sideshow and other criminal activity is a serious threat to public safety, as the public regularly witnesses.”
This comes following Governor Newsom’s recent actions to strengthen the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in Oakland to carry out increased operations targeting organized crime, freak shows, carjackings and other criminal activity.
Governor Newsom stated that this action resulted in the immediate arrest of several suspects allegedly committing these crimes. Two days after the Governor’s announcement, the California Highway Patrol conducted an enhanced operation using ground and air assets to target freak shows. The operation led to a vehicle pursuit that resulted in the arrest of five felons, the discovery of eight DUIs, the recovery of eight stolen vehicles, and the seizure of two firearms.
“However, over the course of the CHP’s work, they have observed certain trends that, based on their professional law enforcement experience and expertise, are contributing to Oakland’s public safety challenges,” Newsom wrote in the letter. “Specifically, the CHP have informed me that they have witnessed criminals often getting away with impunity because it is widely known that Oakland Police Department (OPD) pursuit policy permits vehicular pursuits only in extremely limited circumstances.”
Governor Newsom said the CHP had observed a suspect attempting to evade arrest using the same route, meaning the suspect knew where OPD would stop the pursuit. But he said the suspect did not evade the six pursuits initiated by the CHP, which had numerous resources, including air support.
California school district sues Governor Newsom over bill that would ban schools from informing parents of their children’s gender identity
California Governor Gavin Newsom holds a press conference on Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Sacramento, California. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Click here to get the FOX News app
“Any policy regarding vehicle pursuits must carefully balance the associated risks and benefits,” Newsom’s letter read. “Given Oakland’s public safety challenges and the fact that the Oakland Police Department’s pursuit policy is unusual among law enforcement agencies in California, I support the City Council’s recent action to direct a review of this policy.”
“To improve public safety in our city, we urge you to reconsider whether OPD should be allowed to pursue suspects in more circumstances and to establish a process to evaluate whether OPD is fully utilizing its authority, including the authority granted in the current pursuit policy, to protect public safety and enforce the law,” he continued.
Newsom ended his letter by saying he is committed to improving public safety in Oakland and across California, and that while there have been some recent improvements in public safety, officials “have an obligation to the community to continue exploring solutions.”
