South Carolina Mayor bans police from chasing suspects by vehicle or on foot

**Dirk** · 09-20-09, 08:25 PM

(Wellford, SC)—The Mayor of Wellford is defending her policy which bans police officers in that city from chasing suspects. Sallie Peake says the policy also includes vehicle chases along with pursuits on foot.
A memo issued on September 2nd from Peake to all Wellford officers reads:
“As of this date, there are to be no more foot chases when a suspect runs. I do not want anyone chasing after any suspects whatsoever.“
WSPA first reported the mandate on Wednesday after an anonymous citizen faxed a copy of the memo to our newsroom. Peake was out of town and unavailable for comment. On Friday, reporter Chris Cato caught up with her in her office and questioned her about the origin of the policy. Peake says she issued the mandate because several officers have been injured during chases, driving up insurance costs for the town.
“The officers are costing us more money on insurance than most citizens here in the city of Wellford are even earning,“ says Peake.
She says the city is paying out $20,000 annually in workers’ compensation claims, much of it due to the police force. In July, two officers wrecked their cruisers while chasing suspects and had to go to the hospital for minor treatment. The police chief says three officers have been injured during foot chases in the last two years.
Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright says the policy prevents police from upholding the law—a direct violation of their constitutional oath.
“If a bank robber or a drunk driver or a shoplifter or somebody with a warrant runs on foot, it’s our obligation to do what we can do to bring them to justice,“ says Wright.
But when we asked Peake about her order impeding an officer from stopping a crime in progress, she became defensive and irate. The conversation went as follows:
Reporter: “Are you telling your officers if they witness a crime - they witness someone commit a crime on someone else and they’re ten yards away - they can’t go stop that person?“
Peake: “Is that in there?“ (referring to policy)
Reporter: “It says no chases whatsoever.“
Peake: “Well, that’s what I said, no chases, didn’t I? I didn’t say nothing about a crime. If you see a crime, this that and the other -“
Reporter: “Well, that’s what a chase is - “
Peake: “Well, I told them no chase on foot, and (the police chief) know exactly what I mean, so you’re trying to twist what I -“
Reporter: “No, I’m not. You said no chases. No chases means no chases.“
Peake: (claps hands) “You got you a story, thank God! You are so sweet! You got you a story on a woman in Wellford! Hallelujah! I’m so proud of you, Mr. Cato!“
Click here to see the entire interview.
Wellford Police Chief Chris Guy has told his officers to abide by the policy. He says they can still protect the public.
“Just because a suspect may run does not mean we can’t identify them, sign warrants, and catch them later,“ says Guy.
But Sheriff Wright says when a suspect gets away, there is always the chance he could hurt someone before officers catch up with him.
Peake says that won’t happen in Wellford.
Here’s hoping the arm of the law really is long.

Wellford Mayor Sallie Peake Defends No Chase Policy | WSPA

**Wolven** · 09-20-09, 08:36 PM

What a moron....won't she be glad when crime goes through the roof when the criminals find out that cops cant chase.

**Xiphos** · 09-20-09, 08:44 PM

Now would be an excellent time for the Gumball 3000 to pass through that town. Along with a few bank robbers.

Well, when the quality of life plummets due to crime, at least they saved a few bucks on insurance. That's what counts right?

**cwtlady** · 09-20-09, 08:50 PM

She thinks the officers are costing money? NO, it's the stupid criminals that commit crime that cost money.

**Captain America** · 09-20-09, 08:55 PM

Will she allow the officers to subdue a combative suspect on the off hand they get into close proximity with one?

**tapout** · 09-20-09, 11:26 PM

stupidest policy ever.

**CTR man** · 09-21-09, 12:11 AM

Of course she will think differently if she becomes a victim of a crime. What an idiot!

**countybear** · 09-21-09, 03:31 AM

Fukketh herreth.

**mack** · 09-21-09, 06:30 AM

May God bless you!

**Standard Dave** · 09-21-09, 12:16 PM

Pretty much no point them leaving the force headquaters then, they can take the crime details over the phone or by e-mail and then just give the citizens a reference number if there is a named suspect they could then telephone them and ask if they want to be arrested and sent to court if they do they can surrender direct to the jail.

Man I'm a genius that will sort all crime everywhere no expensive police vehicles or dangerous interations with the public.

**Murph** · 09-21-09, 08:44 PM

its true ya know, life is too short. I want to see if you can make it longer, or fuller

**CTR man** · 09-21-09, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by countybear

Fukketh herreth.

Amen!!!

**lewisipso** · 09-21-09, 09:38 PM

She'd fire me.

**countybear** · 09-21-09, 11:19 PM

I'd list her as a suspect accomplice on every offense report where the offender fled..

**10-42Adam** · 09-21-09, 11:24 PM

That mayor is extremely unprofessional and unintelligent.

**deputy29** · 09-22-09, 12:12 AM

The woman has no flipping clue!

**Ducky** · 09-22-09, 07:19 AM

I think I'm going to start claiming a different state of residence.

**HudsonHawk** · 09-22-09, 02:42 PM

Who voted for that fool?

**Twan007** · 09-22-09, 02:53 PM

This chick blows my mind... I can't imagine how in the world you could possibly believe that is a good policy to have

If I were the type of person to do so, I know exactly where I'd want to spend a couple of weeks on a vacation

- I could make a killing =)

and if I were those cops - I think I'd have to find another place of employment...