DALLAS — News 8 has learned that the Dallas Police Department is considering relaxing its pursuit rules.
But with crime down 10 percent last year and the city running short of cash to pay for potential damage, some are asking why officers should be placed in potentially dangerous situations if not absolutely necessary.
Dallas police currently have one of the strictest chase policies in the nation. In 2006, then-Chief David Kunkle changed the rules to limit pursuits to suspects linked who were linked to violent crimes like murderer, robbery and rape.
Now, the department is looking at loosening that policy and adding other reasons police can chase, including deadly conduct when someone is shooting a gun in the air.
"I'm in favor of what we can do to maximize catching the bad guys while being sensitive to keeping innocent people safe," said Dallas City Council member Dave Neumann.
The year before Kunkle's policy took effect, there were 354 chases — almost one every day. Twenty-one officers and 21 citizens were hurt.
The next year, police went on 200 pursuits; 12 officers and 12 civilians were hurt.
Four years later, the department was involved in only 54 chases, and no one was hurt. What's more, the city saved money by having employees involved in fewer accidents and being subject to fewer lawsuits.
"Yes, it is tax dollars, and so you save tax dollars," Neumann conceded. "I'm all for saving tax dollars, but also about making sure you get the bad guys."
According to sources, Chief David Brown has said he still won't permit chases for property crimes like shoplifting, but he could relax the rules on certain other crimes.
A panel is taking a look at the current policy and will make recommendations to the chief.
Fort Worth police say they are also reviewing their department's chase policy.
E-mail rlopez@wfaa.com
