HPD to officers: Thou shalt not chase

Details are starting to come out about HPD's new chase policy, which bars officers from chasing minor traffic offenders who refuse to stop and gives them the option of chasing major offenders, according to the Chronicle. If you didn't know there was a new policy, well, you're not alone: KHOU reports that it learned about the policy change when frustrated police officers began calling the station last night — there was apparently no official word from city or police leaders.

Houston Police Officers Union president Hans Marticiuc told Channel 11 that the new policy prohibits officers from chasing suspects who refuse to pull over during a routine traffic stop or while involved in a Class C misdemeanor. The others — suspected drunk drivers, for example, or people who are chased into the Houston area by other law enforcement agencies — may or may not be chased, based on what officers think is the best idea. The policy is intended to reduce the number of high-speed chases in Houston, HPD Sgt. Nate McDuell rather tersely told the Chron:

"I think the chief is limiting chases. He is saying, 'We are not going to put officers, or the public, at risk for minor types of crimes.' If someone runs a red light, then we won't pursue them,'' McDuell said.

[ ... ]

"This is a paramilitary organization, and when we are given orders, we follow those orders. I don't have a problem with that,'' McDuell said.

The change in the chase policy is a major one, McDuell acknowledged.

"This is a change, and officers will not chase for minor (traffic offenses) and officers will obey that rule and be happy with it,'' McDuell said.

Marticiuc called the change "a clear message to the criminal element [to] 'go ahead and run from the police,'" and officers (though they didn't give their names) complained about the policy to Channel 11 and the Chronicle. Though the Chronicle reported that officers found out about the new policy during roll call Tuesday night, via blogHouston, KRIV says it's been in effect since Monday. We imagine we'll be hearing more on this pretty soon.