The Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality issued this statement today regarding the east side Detroit deaths of two children and the injury of other citizens in a high speed chase on Nottingham Street Wednesday night:
For the past several years, the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality has been advocating for a change in state and local policies involving high speed chases initiated by law enforcement.
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Currently, most police departments face little or no liability in matters where death or injury is caused in situations like the one last night, where two young children died. Though we are not fully aware of all of the matters and are currently investigating the particulars, we can say that two wrongs do not make a right.
If it was wrong for the chased driver to drive recklessly, irresponsibility, and dangerously, it is equally reckless, dangerous and irresponsible for police to give chase in a highly-populated residential neighborhood.
Currently, the Michigan State Legislature is considering a bill which would initiate more stringent and uniform regulations regarding high speed chases. In the past, the FBI has urged police departments not to engage in these kinds of chases, given the potential danger that exists for law enforcement and citizens. The Coalition has been working with families who have suffered the grief of the loss of loved ones in these kind of four-wheeled tragedies, and this one punctuates the need to stop this stagecoach, "cops and robbers"-style behavior now. The grief attendant to these matters is too great to risk one more injury or death.
The Coalition is re-examining Detroit Police Department chase protocols and modifications which were made under the Federal Consent Decree to determine whether proper mandates were followed.