Nearly 11 months after Chicago police officers shot and killed 13-year-old Adam Toledo and 22-year-old Anthony Alvarez following foot pursuits, department leaders announced Thursday they will revise the rules governing when — and why — officers can give chase, WTTW reported.
The 10-page proposed policy is available on the police department’s website. A 15-day public comment period is now open, according to FOX32, and residents can review the document and give feedback through Feb. 25.
The revised policy builds on the temporary rules that were implemented last year along with defining what initiates and ends a foot pursuit. Police Superintendent David Brown crafted the Chicago Police Department’s first foot chase policy and promised it would protect the safety of officers, the public, and those being pursued.
State Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the policy, which has been in place since June, was developed too quickly and was insufficient. The policy was also criticized by the ACLU of Illinois and community groups as too vague and said it gave officers too much discretion to chase someone they suspected of a crime.
“The revised policy makes it clear that foot pursuits may only be initiated when there is a valid law enforcement need to detain the individual being pursued,” Brown said.
Foot pursuits stemming from minor traffic offenses remain prohibited under the revised policy. The revised policy also expands the role of supervisors to ensure there is appropriate supervision and communication if a pursuit is initiated, according to a statement from the police department.
However, officers would not need pre-approval from their supervisors in order to conduct a foot pursuit under the revised policy.
