SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A crash in San Francisco’s Mission District that injured at least 6 people — including a child — on Super Bowl Sunday is raising questions about the San Francisco Police Department’s pursuit policies. San Francisco District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder, whose district includes the area where the crash occurred, has submitted a formal letter of inquiry into the incident.
In the letter, Fielder is seeking “transparency on the decision-making process surrounding the dangerous police chase,” and on SFPD’s “policy regarding police chases.” The chase, as Fielder points out, began at the Stonestown Galleria Shopping Mall, and ended at The Napper Tandy Bar and Grill’s outdoor parklet over 6 miles away.
The parklet was destroyed in the crash and several people were sent to the hospital.
“When there is an imminent threat to people’s lives, I understand the need for a vehicle pursuit, however, in this case, the public deserves to know whether there were other options that could have avoided such significant bystander injuries, and mechanisms for accountability,” said Supervisor Fielder.
Current car chase policy for SFPD, the supervisor points out, calls for police to “safely apprehend a fleeing violator without unnecessarily endangering the public and/or officers.” Citing state law, the supervisor goes on to say that “members of law enforcement are also supposed to balance the offense and need for immediate capture against the risks to motorists, pedestrians, and officers.”
“As of now,” Fielder states, “it remains unclear whether or not the car chase was permissible under the city’s new vehicle pursuit policy that took effect three months ago.”
Under former San Francisco Mayor London Breed, SFPD’s discretion when it came to vehicle pursuits was significantly expanded. That policy, according to Fielder, “further risks civilian lives.”
In the letter, which was addressed to SFPD Chief William Scott, Fielder asked for more information on:
- The circumstances surrounding the case
- The existing SFPD policy regarding police chases
- How the incident complied with current SFPD policy
- SFPD protocol after a car chase leads to injuries or fatalities
- Who made the call to engage in the chase
- What other options there were to avoid the pursuit
- What accountability mechanisms are in place for officers whose actions cause injury to bystanders or damage to businesses
“Public safety requires holding all people accountable for the harm they cause, no matter who causes it,” Fielder said. “I am concerned for the safety of our community and want to ensure that the San Francisco Police Department is doing all that it can to avoid such an incident in the future.”
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A crash in San Francisco’s Mission District that injured at least 6 people — including a child — on Super Bowl Sunday is raising questions about the San Francisco Police Department’s pursuit policies. San Francisco District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder, whose district includes the area where the crash occurred, has submitted […]
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