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Vjornaxx t1_iy8h1t5 wrote

Many temp tags are expired, not attached to the correct vehicle, or outright falsified. The issue is not that BPD cannot enforce traffic rules. The issue is that BPD’s Vehicle Pursuit Policy (Policy 1503 PDF) only authorizes pursuits under certain strict conditions which a simple registration infraction does not meet. Many drivers know this and will simply not stop when they are lit up.

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DeathStarJedi t1_iy944sd wrote

Hold up, if a city cop lights up a car for a (minor) infraction like a bad/missing plate and they don't pull over there is nothing the cops can do about it!?

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Vjornaxx t1_iy953f5 wrote

The officer can try to pursue, but as soon as they radio that they have a vehicle failing to stop, the first question a supervisor will ask is “What is it wanted for?” If the answer is “traffic,” then the supervisor is most likely to order that officer to stop pursuing so as to not run afoul of Policy 1503.

This is why you see extremely selective enforcement of traffic and registration infractions. The drivers with egregious violations are not likely to stop. Those who do stop are the exception rather than the rule; and because they actually stopped, they are more likely to get a warning rather than a citation.

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pk10534 t1_iya5b0w wrote

Wow. So that just straight up says they can’t chase you solely for committing a traffic offense if you basically aren’t a felon or dangerous

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Vjornaxx t1_iya6zxl wrote

Not simply a felon, but a felon where failure to immediately stop them poses an immediate threat of death or serious bodily harm.

>1. Members may pursue an eluding vehicle when:

>1.1. The vehicle contains a felony suspect and failure to immediately apprehend poses an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury to the member or others; and

>1.2. Before the pursuit is initiated, there exists probable cause to believe the fleeing suspect committed a felony which resulted, or could have resulted, in death or serious bodily injury.

This means that even if the officer somehow knows an occupant is wanted on a felony warrant; they may not pursue them if the fleeing vehicle does not poses an immediate risk of harm.

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pk10534 t1_iya7abz wrote

Tbh, I used to get really annoyed and think BPD was being lazy when they didn’t enforce traffic laws. But now it’s like…I suppose they really can’t. Seems like unless somebody just killed someone, they aren’t allowed ro chase them

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