Governor Gavin Newsom is urging Oakland to expand its police department’s ability to pursue suspects as part of a broader crackdown on crime. Newsom’s push comes amid a growing public demand for tougher law enforcement, with voters expressing a desire for change. However, this move has sparked a debate over the potential risks to public safety associated with high-speed police chases.
In February, a police pursuit in San Francisco ended in a crash, injuring six people, including a child. This incident highlighted the dangers of high-speed chases, which often result in collisions. According to a federally funded study, 30% of police chases lead to collisions, and nearly one-fifth result in injuries or deaths.
Geoffrey Alpert, a criminology professor at the University of South Carolina, helped craft Oakland’s current policy, which allows chases only if a suspect is believed to have a gun or committed certain violent crimes. Alpert argues that loosening these guidelines could pose a significant threat to public health. He stated,
“If you reverse and start chasing for these minor offenses, you’re signing death warrants.”
In 2022, nearly 12,000 police pursuits were reported in California, resulting in over 400 bystander injuries and 34 deaths, including five uninvolved bystanders. The Police Executive Research Forum recommends pursuits only for violent crimes where the suspect poses an imminent threat.
Oakland’s policy is among the most restrictive in the nation, allowing chases only for violent crimes or if a suspect is armed. Despite these restrictions, Newsom, along with California Highway Patrol Commissioner Ezery Beauchamp and Oakland’s interim mayor, Kevin Jenkins, advocates for relaxing these rules.
The Oakland Police Commission is currently reviewing the policy, with plans for community outreach and further discussions. As cities nationwide grapple with balancing law enforcement and public safety, experts warn of the high-stakes trade-offs involved in creating chase policies.
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