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Commission on Police Practices calls for new San Diego Police pursuit guidelines

Over the past year, SDPD pursuits have resulted in several deaths, including two little boys and a San Diego police officer.

SAN DIEGO — An oversight board in the city of San Diego is calling for new guidelines when it comes to police chases. 

This comes after two pursuits by San Diego Police in this past year tragically ended with deadly consequences.

Within the past year, police pursuits here in San Diego have led to the deaths of two young boys, as well as the death of a San Diego police officer and an unlicensed teen driver. 

These new recommendations by the Commission on Police Practices aim to prevent future deaths, and increase public safety. 

Last December, a San Diego police pursuit - initiated because of traffic violations - ended with the suspect plowing into a Honda, ultimately killing 8-year-old Malikai Orozco-Romero and his 4-year-old brother Mason

"We decided that we absolutely need to look into this policy and see if there was anything else that we can do so we don't lose any more lives," said Gloria Tran, the commission's chair. "And then sadly, we lost the life of officer Austin Machitar and the unlicensed teen."

Those deaths occurred in August when a police chase came to an end in a fiery crash.

"These last few accidents that have happened are absolutely tragic," Tran told CBS 8. "Heartbreaking... So we want to stop that if we possibly can."

The Commission on Police Practices voted unanimously Wednesday night to approve a series of new recommendations on police chases.

One of the most important ones would prohibit chases except when they're absolutely critical.

"If there are lives in danger at that moment, we absolutely support police pursuing the suspect," Tran added. "It is a judgment call. But we would like to not have pursuits initiated for infractions." 

Minor infractions like a broken taillight or expired tag have led to 61 percent of all police pursuits, according to SDPD data over the past five years.

Another key recommendation: forming a special review board to analyze all pursuits undertaken by San Diego Police.

"Look at the trends, and then make recommendations for improvements in the policy," said Commission member Doug Case. 

Once these new recommendations are sent to Police Chief Scott Wahl, he'll then have 60 days to decide whether to adopt them.

"We really hope they take a deep look at what's going on," Tran added. "We want to save lives." 

For more information on the city of San Diego's Commission on Police Practices, click here

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