PPD changes vehicle pursuit policy

The Pensacola Police Department has made another positive policy change stemming from the October 3 incident in which 17-year-old Victor Steen was struck and killed by a police cruiser.

The changes were detailed in a memorandum distributed last month by Assistant Police Chief Chip Simmons. The policy change specifically prohibits vehicular pursuits of “vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians through apartment complexes, yards, or other populated off-road locations,” instead encouraging officers to secure a perimeter in order to effect an arrest. Additionally, officers may of course pursue suspects on foot.

The memorandum also specifically addresses the proximity of police vehicles to bicyclists and pedestrians:

Additionally, pursuing bicyclists or pedestrians carries a greater risk of injury. Officers engaged in such shall make only the attempt to secure a perimeter in order to effect an arrest. Setting this perimeter should be done in such a manner that the injury risk will not be elevated by a vehicle’s proximity to the suspect.

A copy of the memorandum is included below.

Memorandum 09 22

Links

• WEAR-TV: “More changes in Pensacola Police Department policies…”
• Pensacola News Journal: “Pensacola police revise chase policy after death”