LA County deputies to avoid chasing armed suspects under policy aimed at reducing shootings
By APWednesday, February 17, 2010
LA County deputies to avoid chasing armed suspects
LOS ANGELES — Sheriff’s deputies in Los Angeles County are being directed to avoid chasing armed suspects under a new policy to reduce shootings by deputies.
The new guidelines, to be unveiled Wednesday, advise that deputies try to contain a suspect then call for back up.
Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore says he believes the policy is the first of its kind in the nation. The change comes after Sheriff Lee Baca ordered a review of policies in the wake of a flurry of shootings by deputies.
A county agency and several training officers made the recommendation in a new guide called Split-second Decision.
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