SDPD Responds to Commission on Police Practices’ Pursuit Recommendations ...Middle East

San Diego Police Department Chief Scott Wahl attended the Commission on Police Practices’ Wednesday meeting to review the department’s response to the commission’s findings regarding pursuit policies.

Last November, the panel issued recommendations on SDPD procedures that determine when officers should initiate or continue a vehicular pursuit. Out of the nine proposals, Wahl said, the department will adopt six “in some form or fashion.”

Wahl addressed the commission and 24 community members – 14 of whom attended the meeting virtually – briefly at the Southeastern Live Well Center, restating that this response is not final, but rather a start to dialogue.

He then asked Capt. Jeff Jordon, in charge of research, analysis and planning for SDPD, to break down the department’s stance.

Jordon spent a considerable amount of time on the commission’s third recommendation, detailing when officers should show restraint in pursuing those who are not an immediate threat to the public.

Rather than partially accepting or considering the recommendation as the department did with others, officials dismissed this one entirely, largely because Jordon said it was based on inadequate data.

“I know when CPP did this, one of the first things I saw was your commitment to at least try to wrap your heads around some of the data,” Jordon said. “I will tell you, I was slightly embarrassed by the lack of data. You did and tried to do data analysis that really hadn’t been done within the [SDPD].”

Those in attendance appeared to be displeased with SDPD’s decision to reject another recommendation, that any incident following a pursuit that results in injury, death or property damage should be documented in traffic accident investigation reports.

David Rico brought up safety during police pursuits, noting that officers have been seen driving on the grass of Chicano Park.

“But we have evidence of you guys just going on the grass, and you’re still doing it, driving up on the grass really fast, endangering somebody who could be lying on the grass enjoying the day,” Rico said. “And that has to stop, because we had addressed this with you guys before, and we had slowed it down, but you guys are still doing it.”

Rico also accused the department of a lack of transparency, calling on Wahl and his staff to make information more accessible to the public.

Commissioner Alec Beyer echoed that concern, questioning the department’s difficulty in complying with calls for cooperation.

“The commissioners have approached the PD asking for collaboration because we’re working towards the same goal. We want a non-adversarial relationship, a collaborative relationship. And what we’re getting is the opposite,” Beyer said. “I can give you supporting documentation of repeated instances of your department’s personnel obstructing and hindering and delaying our activities, and the pursuit policy is one example.”

Beyer’s words elicited a loud cheer and applause from Francine Maxwell, a local activist who works with the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association. Maxwell, who offered the first public comment of the meeting, said she wants to see the department deliver on its word, which she said right now feels disingenuous.

Jordon, though, said that SDPD’s first steps following the meeting will be to address the remaining questions from the commission and to share current data with the committee.

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