In policy shift, Minneapolis police no longer chasing drivers over minor offenses

Oct 23, 20190

Richard Tsong-Taatarii – Associated Press count

Minneapolis police responded in September after a carjacking suspect hit a driver and crashed into a Lake Street bakery, hitting two teens, then rammed a squad car before trying to continue fleeing police.

Minneapolis police officers are no longer pursuing fleeing suspects for most nonviolent and lesser offenses after a series of high-profile chases in recent years that department officials say unnecessarily put lives in danger.

Under the new policy, officers can only give chase in situations where they believe a suspect has committed or is about to commit "a serious and violent felony or gross misdemeanor." Pursuit can also be initiated if the suspect's driving is "so flagrantly reckless that the driver would pose an imminent and life-threatening danger to the public if not apprehended."

http://www.startribune.com/under-new-chase-policy-minneapolis-police-no-longer-pursuing-fleeing-suspects-in-nonviolent-lesser-offenses/563658842/