DALLAS - In a police chase last month, a driver weaved in and out of traffic, before driving onto an active airport runway.
That incident could lead to a major change in Dallas police policy this week.
Dallas police have one of the most restrictive chase polices in the country but one top city leader wants to change that.
Although Dallas police say the Love Field chase in August was done by the book, city leaders think the book needs to change.
As early as this week, Dallas may be changing the rules for how its officers can chase suspects.
Mayor pro tem, Dwaine Caraway, leads the city's public safety committee.
He said the last-minute ramming of the suspect at Love Field eventually stopped the chase, but current policy largely doesn't allow officers to use such a move.
"They probably should have that in their toolbox as an option," Caraway said.
Dallas changed its chase policy in 2006, after a series of pursuits that killed or injured innocent people.
The city forbade officers from chasing, if it was too risky, and if they did follow, officers were restricted on what they could do, such as no longer ramming or bumping suspects or forcing them from the road.
Since the change, injuries and deaths from Dallas police chases plunged from 98 at its peak five years ago, to eight this year.
"From us watching, that's one thing, but down on the ground and actually being involved, you have to make those types of critical decisions because you have innocent people's lives at stake," said Caraway.
Dallas police say the Love Field chase was a success, since no one was injured, and there was little damage.
But critics say it should have never gotten that far.
The city will also consider whether there should be exceptions to the chase rules, for officers responding to incidents near critical locations, like the airport.
E-mail: jbetz@wfaa.com
