Los Angeles: In a stunning development, the Los Angeles Police Department released preliminary statistics confirming that the number of police pursuits in the City of Los Angeles has plummeted.

Since the start of a Departmental pilot program focusing on new standards for initiating and managing police pursuits, a recently released preliminary summary has revealed that the Department has responded to the implemented changes, and the results have attributed to not only fewer pursuits, but far less collisions that have injured officers, suspects and third party individuals.

The pilot program, directed by the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners, was established with an LAPD Operations Order on June 9, 2003. According to a 2003 2^nd Quarter summary, from April 1^st to June 30^th, in comparison to the 2^nd quarter of 2002:

LAPD officers were involved in 76 pursuits compared to 202 during 2002, resulting in a -62% decrease.

During the same period, 26 pursuit suspects were injured (2 deaths) during 2002, compared to 11 suspects (0 deaths) in 2003-a -58% decrease.

Injuries to third parties, 18 in 2002, compared to 4 in 2003, have decreased -78 %. 4 LAPD officers were injured in 2003 compared to 6 in 2002: a -33% decrease.

These reported numbers are preliminary, however, the Department is preparing a final report that will be presented to the Police Commission for review.

"The initial results of our new pursuit policy clearly shows how effective the changes are in the Department's goal of reducing pursuits, and injuries to those involved. We remain committed to our crime reduction objectives while keeping in mind that we have a responsibility for the safety of the general public," said LAPD Chief of Police William J. Bratton.

This media advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Jack Richter, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.