The Oakland Police Department is poised to revise its pursuit policy introduced in 2022, following strong community support during a recent meeting of the Oakland Police Commission.
During the Thursday night meeting, residents expressed backing for OPD Chief Floyd Mitchell’s proposal to rescind Special Order 9212, which mandates officers to end a chase if they or the suspect exceed speeds of 50 mph without prior commander approval.
In addition to lifting the 50 mph restriction, Chief Mitchell suggested reinstating a provision that protects officers from discipline or criticism when they choose to terminate a pursuit. He also proposed that officers inform a supervisor ‘as soon as reasonably practical’ after initiating a chase.
Mitchell acknowledged the ongoing debate surrounding the policy changes, stating, “I understand that no policy, however expansive or restrictive, will fully satisfy all parties.”
He emphasized that recommendations for formal revisions were made based on national best practices and significant input from stakeholders.
Since 2014, OPD’s pursuit policy has allowed officers to engage in chases when they have reasonable suspicion of a violent crime or probable cause related to a firearm-related offense. However, many residents have linked this policy to a perceived increase in crime, sparking calls for policy reform.
Despite public pressure, Mitchell expressed his reluctance to recommend modifications that would allow pursuits for car thefts, commercial burglaries, and other property crimes, drawing displeasure from some attendees.
Mitchell’s stance on the issue reflects a desire to balance police accountability with community safety, pointing to the anomaly of 2022’s increased chase numbers as a reason for reinstating greater flexibility for officers.
The history of OPD’s pursuit policy includes the emergency measure introduced by former Chief LeRonne Armstrong in December 2022, prompted by a concerning rise in injuries and fatalities linked to police chases.
In 2022, Oakland police engaged in 130 pursuits, significantly higher than the decade-average of around 80. A notable incident that year saw the tragic death of 27-year-old Lolomanaia “Lolo” Soakai, highlighting the risks associated with high-speed chases.
While Chief Mitchell argues the heightened number of pursuits in 2022 should not inhibit officers from their duties, he faces concern over how officers may approach pursuits without the previous constraints.
Community members expressed frustration regarding the current pursuit policy’s restrictions during the meeting. Some residents contend that the existing limitations on chases enable criminals to escape and embolden further criminal activity.
District 7 Councilmember Ken Houston aired his concerns about the proposed changes, advocating for a more permissive stance on pursuits for crimes like property theft.
Houston remarked, “We need law and order back in the city, and we need these residents to feel safe.” His sentiments were echoed by individuals holding signs voicing their demands for a more aggressive approach to crime prevention.
Commission Chair Ricardo Garcia-Acosta raised vital questions regarding the OPD’s operational strength in relation to the proposed pursuit policy, drawing attention to the department’s staffing challenges.
Currently, OPD has 666 officers, but their actual operational strength is about 540 due to vacations or ongoing leave, indicating a potential shortfall of patrol officers on the streets at any given time.
As the public discourse continues, residents and community leaders are urging the commission and its members to act decisively to mitigate crime.
Critics of the commission’s actions have emphasized an apparent disconnect between the commission’s decisions and community needs, underscoring ongoing frustrations about public safety.
As discussions progress, concerns about officer accountability and the risks of reducing constraints on police pursuits have been spotlighted. Some residents voiced fears that lifting restrictions could lead to an increase in reckless behavior among officers.
Oakland resident Millie Cleveland articulated her worry regarding how officers would make decisions about pursuits without supervisory oversight, recalling past instances of abuse during high-speed chases.
Her inquiries raised questions about the validity of Mitchell’s assertion that the current policy deters officers from pursuing suspects, and whether empirical data supports that claim.
Experts in pursuit policies have historically advocated for reducing the frequency of police chases to enhance public safety. Criminologists like Geoffrey Alpert have highlighted the potential for increased crashes and injuries if policy restrictions are loosened.
Former officers and pursuit policy specialists have reiterated that removing speed restrictions during chases raises the likelihood of accidents, exacerbating dangers for bystanders and suspects alike.
Tuan Ngo, a concerned Oakland resident, accused the commission of hindering effective crime deterrence, claiming the current leadership fails to adequately address the crime wave affecting the community.
The worry surrounding potential policy changes has drawn criticism from local civil rights lawyers and community advocates, who fear that a lack of accountability may arise from new reporting guidelines.
In a letter to the police commission, civil rights attorneys John Burris and Jim Chanin expressed concern about the potential challenges in holding officers accountable for not notifying supervisors during pursuits under the proposed policy.
As stakeholders continue to weigh in on the matter, discussions on pursuing effective policies that balance the need for law enforcement action with community safety remain ongoing.
Mitchell reassured the commission and public that the changes intended were not aimed at compromising duty, but rather ensuring that officers manage pursuits effectively while still keeping lines of communication open.
While the future of Oakland’s pursuit policy remains uncertain, the community’s engagement in the decision-making process reflects a significant commitment to addressing safety concerns and maintaining accountability in law enforcement.
image source from：https://oaklandside.org/2025/05/23/oakland-police-pursuit-policy-proposed-revisions/
