Major Change Proposed To Police Pursuit Policy In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — Acting Police Chief John Cappiello, in cooperation and with the support of Mayor Curt Balzano Leng, has recommended significant changes to the Hamden Police Department’s vehicle pursuit policy. Under the updated policy, officers should “only engage in a pursuit for the most serious crimes,” according to a press release from the mayor’s office. The change would require that officers only engage a vehicle in pursuit if the occupants were involved in or have intent to cause a “violent felony” (a felony in which a person with intent to cause serious physical injury to a person and/or causing such injury to a person with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument), the release states.

The updated policy would restrict officers from pursuing any vehicle involved in a “property crime,” such as a stolen vehicle. The proposal has been recommended for consideration to the Hamden Police Commission, the body charged with approving police policy.

Cappiello and Leng said they are recommending the changes in an effort to minimize and prevent the dangers associated with vehicle pursuits. Both Cappiello and Leng are “steadfastly confident that these measures will serve to increase public safety and reduce the risks created by pursuits,” according to the press release.

Cappiello indicated that the town originally updated its pursuit policy following a department review, in order to comply with Public Act 18-161. This legislation (supported and issued by the Police Officer Standard and Training Council 1.7.2.1.) imparts new standards for the reporting of police pursuits to the State of Connecticut, according to the release. Friday’s proposed changes are additional updates to the policy.

“These recommended changes offer the opportunity to create a safer environment for citizens, our officers and our community as a whole,” Leng said. “There is nothing we should take more seriously than creating a safer community for everyone and this definitive change to how pursuits are handled in our hometown can do just that.”

Police Commission Chairman Michael Iezzi Sr. said, “I appreciate any and all input that would be helpful to police policies. All valuable ideas are beneficial for the Commission and the town to fully consider.”