Oakland Police Commission Approves Expanded High-Speed Pursuit Policy Amid Community Debate

The Oakland Police Commission unanimously approved changes to the city's police pursuit policy, allowing officers to start chases at any speed with supervisor permission and certain restrictions, particularly for violent felonies involving guns. This policy shift, supported by Police Chief Floyd Mitchell and Governor Gavin Newsom, aims to provide law enforcement more flexibility amid rising crime but maintains bans on pursuits for nonviolent felonies. The decision has sparked community debate, with some residents expressing safety concerns due to Oakland’s narrow streets and past incidents where pursuits led to civilian deaths. Chief Mitchell emphasized that pursuits for property crimes like car thefts remain excluded from the new policy. The changes mark a significant adjustment from the stricter 2022 policy and reflect ongoing tensions between public safety and community risk in Oakland.