On Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, urged Oakland officials to revise a policy he deemed “extreme,” which typically only permits police pursuits of suspected criminals in cases involving “violent forcible crimes.”
In a letter addressed to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, the City Council, and the Oakland Police Commission, the governor requested that they reassess the Oakland Police Department’s (OPD) regulations restricting officers from chasing suspects.
“While some jurisdictions in California permit vehicle pursuits for specific crimes (such as felonies), Oakland stands out for placing unusually strict limitations on OPD’s ability to tackle criminal behavior, allowing pursuits primarily for ‘violent forcible crimes,’ as outlined in OPD’s policies, as well as firearm-related offenses,” Newsom stated.
The correspondence emphasized that, unlike most other areas in the state, Oakland police are barred from pursuing individuals suspected of committing a range of felonies and any misdemeanors, including violent offenses, and other activities that pose a threat to public safety, such as reckless driving, sideshows, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom addresses the public in Sacramento, California, on January 10, 2023. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas, File)
“I understand the concerns regarding vehicle pursuits, which can pose risks to police officers, suspects, and innocent bystanders,” the governor noted. “California’s Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training acknowledges these concerns in its guiding principles. However, it is equally critical to recognize the extreme danger posed to the public by permitting criminals to operate without consequence, as well as the serious risks to public safety from reckless driving related to sideshows and other crimes—risks frequently highlighted in viral videos and news reports.”
This statement follows Newsom’s recent decision to bolster California Highway Patrol (CHP) presence in Oakland to conduct operations aimed at addressing organized crime, sideshows, carjackings, and other criminal activities.
According to Newsom, this initiative quickly led to multiple arrests of individuals accused of these offenses. Just two days post-announcement, CHP deployed resources both on the ground and in the air to conduct a surge operation targeting sideshows, resulting in several vehicle pursuits that culminated in five felony arrests, eight DUI charges, and the recovery of eight stolen vehicles along with two firearm seizures.
“Throughout these operations, the CHP has identified, leveraging their law enforcement expertise, key factors contributing to Oakland’s safety issues,” Newsom detailed in the letter. “Notably, CHP noted that criminals frequently escape apprehension due to the widespread understanding that OPD’s pursuit policy permits vehicles to be chased only under very limited circumstances.”
Newsom pointed out that CHP observed suspects evading capture by following the same routes, indicating they were aware of OPD’s restrictions on pursuits. Nevertheless, the governor noted that these suspects could not escape the six pursuits conducted by CHP, which had access to various resources, including air support.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference in Sacramento, California, on March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
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“Any policy regarding vehicle pursuits must thoughtfully weigh the associated risks and advantages,” Newsom’s communication emphasized. “Given Oakland’s public safety challenges and the fact that OPD’s pursuit policy is exceptional compared to other California law enforcement agencies, I fully support the City Council’s recent decision to undertake a review of this policy.”
“I urge you to evaluate whether OPD should be authorized to pursue suspects in more instances to enhance public safety within your city and to create a process to assess whether OPD is fully utilizing its authority, including that under the current pursuit policy, to uphold public safety and enforce the law,” he added.
In closing, Newsom reaffirmed his commitment to improving public safety in Oakland and throughout California. He noted some recent strides made in public safety but emphasized that officials “owe it to our communities to keep seeking solutions.”
