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"Number of
Police Pursuits Drop Dramatically In Los Angeles"
Los Angeles: In
a stunning development, the Los Angeles Police Department
released preliminary statistics confirming that the number of
police pursuits in the City of Los Angeles has plummeted.
Since the start of a Departmental
pilot program focusing on new standards for initiating and
managing police pursuits, a recently released preliminary
summary has revealed that the Department has responded to the
implemented changes, and the results have attributed to not only
fewer pursuits, but far less collisions that have injured
officers, suspects and third party individuals.
The pilot program, directed by
the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners, was established
with an LAPD Operations Order on June 9, 2003. According to a
2003 2nd Quarter summary, from April 1st
to June 30th, in comparison to the 2nd
quarter of 2002:
LAPD officers were involved in 76
pursuits compared to 202 during 2002, resulting in a
62% decrease.
During the same period, 26
pursuit suspects were injured (2 deaths) during 2002, compared
to 11 suspects (0 deaths) in 2003 -- a 58% decrease.
Injuries to third parties, 18 in
2002, compared to 4 in 2003, have decreased by 78%. 4
LAPD officers were injured in 2003 compared to 6 in 2002: a
33% decrease.
These reported numbers are
preliminary, however, the Department is preparing a final report
that will be presented to the Police Commission for review.
"The initial results of our
new pursuit policy clearly shows how effective the changes are
in the Department's goal of reducing pursuits, and injuries to
those involved. We remain committed to our crime reduction
objectives while keeping in mind that we have a responsibility
for the safety of the general public," said LAPD Chief of
Police William J. Bratton.
This media advisory was prepared
by Public Information Officer Jack Richter, Media Relations
Section, 213-485-3586.
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