If a proposed bill passes, law enforcement officers across the state of California could be held accountable for deaths or injuries resulting from car chases if the reason for the chase does not pose “certain, immediate and impending” danger to the public.
The measure would leave police officers who violate the policy open to lawsuits if they are found to have acted in bad faith or gross negligence.
The California Police Chiefs Association and the California State Sheriffs’ Association do not support the legislation, which could limit police officers’ ability to catch criminals blatantly flouting the law.
