Chicago police are no longer allowed to pursue someone suspected of committing a low-level misdemeanor or minor traffic offense — unless the person poses an 'obvious' threat to the community. It comes 2 months after the killing of 13-year-old Adam Toledo.
, Chicago police on Wednesday unveiled a new policy governing when and how officers should engage in foot chases.
The new guidelines mark the first time the city has put in writing specific directives to officers when it comes to chasing suspects on foot - something experts say is one of the most dangerous activities in which officers engage. Adam was killed by a single gunshot to the chest after he ran from officers who were responding to an alert about shots being fired around 2:30 a.m. on March 29.
The new policy has more relevance when it comes to Alvarez’s killing. The attorney for Officer Evan Solano - who killed Alvarez - said the chase that ended in Alvarez’s death started because officers suspected Alvarez of driving on a suspended license. That chase would have been barred under the new policy.
Activists and experts have long said a foot pursuit policy was desperately needed for Chicago cops because foot chases can lead to unnecessary violent confrontations between police and citizens.by the U.S. Department of Justice found that the lack of a Chicago Police Department foot chase policy endangered officers and the public.