San Francisco is poised to see a significant change in policing policies as the Police Commission decides on a set of new rules stemming from the recently passed Proposition E. As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, these updates are meant to expand the powers of law enforcement officers in vehicle pursuits to include felonies and violent misdemeanors. One of the more contentious elements of Prop E has been the power it would potentially grant officers to pursue suspects who are believed to have committed crimes ranging from drug sales to commercial burglary.
The police might also soon be able to significantly broaden their use of drones in assisting with chases, a step that supporters believe will make the city safer. According to Mayor London Breed, as per the City and County of San Francisco, "By freeing up officers to spend more time out in the community and giving them the tools to be more efficient and hold people accountable, we will make San Francisco safer." However, the ACLU of Northern California remains concerned, having expressed to the SF Chronicle fears about increased dangers due to police chases and possible encroachments on civil liberties.
As per the City and County of San Francisco, this move towards implementing Prop E is also accompanied by a push to fund new technologies, with $3.7 million proposed by Mayor Breed's budget for public safety cameras and drone technology. Such advancements are expected to help officers in investigations and emergency responses.
In addition, the revised general orders from the SFPD include the proposal to cut down on some existing paperwork requirements, allowing officers to rely more on body-cam footage instead of written documents after detaining suspects. This directive aligns with efforts to get officers back on the streets sooner rather than later, although critics like Police Commissioner Kevin Benedicto maintain a cautious stance. "Vehicle pursuits are a dangerous tactic for officers, for suspects and for bystanders," Benedicto said, as cited by the San Francisco Chronicle, highlighting the need for clear policy on such matters.
Despite the controversies, Mayor Breed remains firm on the promise that these policies will anchor in positive change. In the words directly attributed to her by the City's official news release, "The voters approved Prop E and now we are doing the work to put policy into practice." Data from the City indicates a continuous decline in violent and property crimes, making a case for the strategy's projected effectiveness in enhancing public safety.
