Glad I didn't work here when I was a Police Officer. This Mayor is nuts. Wait until she gets robbed and the reporting officer stands there next to her and waves bye bye to the bad guy!
S.C. Mayor Bans Police Pursuits on Foot
Posted: Monday, September 21, 2009
Updated: September 21st, 2009 03:39 PM GMT-05:00
Officer.com News
The mayor of Wellford, S.C. is defending a policy she issued earlier this month which bans police officers from chasing suspects on foot, according to WSPA-TV.
On Sept. 2, Mayor Sallie Peake issued a memo to all of the city's officers that read: "As of this date, there are to be no more foot chases when a suspect runs. I do not want anyone chasing after any suspects whatsoever."
Peake told the news station that she issued the mandate because several officers have been injured during chases, driving up insurance costs
for the town.
The city is paying $20,000 annually in workers' compensation claims, much of which goes to the police force, she said.
According to Wellford Police Chief Chris Guy, three officers have been injured during foot chases in the last two years
Guy has told his officers to abide by the policy and says they can still protect the public.
"Just because a suspect may run does not mean we can't identify them, sign warrants, and catch them later," he said.
Spartanburg
County Sheriff Chuck Wright disagrees with Guy's assessment, telling WSPA-TV that when a suspect gets away, there is always the chance he could hurt someone before officers catch up with him.
"If a bank robber or a drunk driver or a shoplifter or somebody with a warrant runs on foot, it's our obligation to do what we can do to bring them to justice," he said.
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No foot chases...my big fat ass.
Originally Posted by Ace1st
