WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsSC mayor defends no-chase policy for police
Member Center:
Associated Press - September 21, 2009 5:55 PM ET
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The mayor of a small South Carolina town says she banned her police officers from chasing suspects on foot after an officer was injured while chasing a man.
Wellford Mayor Sallie Peake said Monday she issued the order in August after the city had to pay for an officer who was hurt and missed work after chasing a "guy who had a piece of crack on him." She said the drug possession was not worth the cost to taxpayers.
Peake's decision came after two town-issued cars were totaled within a month, although her order applies only to foot chases.
When a WSPA-TV reporter asked her about the policy, Peake would not answer and clapped her hands in mock praise.
Information from: WSPA-TV, http://www.wspa.com
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
