Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is reportedly considering a move to require police officers to get a supervisor’s permission before beginning a foot chase.
"No one should die as a result of a foot chase," she said at a press conference this week.
The possible policy change follows the foot chase and police shooting of 13-year old Adam Toledo. Toledo was shown on police body camera video running from police with a firearm in his hands before stopping and turning.
Alderman Brian Hopkins says an official in the mayor's office told him officers could soon be required prior to a foot chase to do what is now required before a vehicle chase: getting permission from higher ups.
'Of course that raises obvious problems,' Hopkins said. 'In the time it would take to do that, the person you're supposed to be chasing is actually long gone. The point would be moot then.'
Hopkins noted that police are already required to get permission to engage in a vehicle chase.
"We're seeing more vehicles flee from police officers because word has gotten out that they're probably not going to get permission to chase you," he said.
One would imagine this type of policy would encourage the same type of behavior.
Lightfoot has promised to reveal the details about the policy change "soon."