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SFPD proposes revised pursuit policy allowing vehicle interposition to protect pedestrians
Summary
The Police Department presented revisions to DGO 5.05 that add supervisory requirements and explicitly allow officers to use patrol vehicles to intercept or block a suspect vehicle when a suspect is driving toward pedestrians; adoption was scheduled for May 29 after public discussion and training-planning questions.
The San Francisco Police Department outlined a revised Department General Order (DGO 5.05) on May 21 that would change how officers conduct emergency responses and vehicle pursuits.
Presenters said the revision narrows authorized pursuits to suspected violent felons and strengthens supervisory control and mandatory notifications, including a new requirement that an officer initiating an emergency (code-3) response notify the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) as soon as possible with location and status. The most substantial operational change described to the Commission is a provision allowing patrol vehicles to be used to interpose or block a suspect vehicle that is driving toward pedestrians or a crowd in order to protect life. Department trainers said that change was prompted by a February incident in Laurel Village in which a driver struck and injured multiple pedestrians.
Commissioners asked about training and rollout. Sergeant Yamaguchi and EVOC instructors said the department will re-educate supervisors and patrol officers at district stations, produce a training video, and use the existing Emergency Vehicle Operations Course and state recertification to reinforce the policy. OCC and citizen-oversight representatives noted the draft tightens language from "should" to "shall" in several places and narrows pursuit authorizations to violent-felony suspicions.
Public commenters praised the goal of protecting pedestrians but warned the policy document's length (about 12 pages) and complexity could make on-the-spot compliance difficult; they urged clear crib-sheet guidance and frequent officer refreshers. The Commission said it will vote on the order at the May 29 community meeting to allow further public input.
The department characterized the changes as balancing the need to apprehend violent suspects with minimizing risk to officers and the public; supervisors will continue to monitor pursuits, and the department emphasized that many pursuits are canceled in progress when risks rise.
