Sirens screaming and lights flashing, two Lemoore Police Department vehicles race through the center of town. Concerned residents watch, anxious that the chase may result in more damage to the public than the criminal's act.

According to LPD Interim Chief Cmdr. Jeff Laws, the LPD has not participated in a high-speed pursuit in almost two years.

The recent race down D Street by an unmarked police vehicle and a motorcycle officer was the result of an emergency call, he said.

"An off-duty California Highway Patrol officer reported a vehicle speeding at about 100 mph on 19 1/2 Ave. and blowing through stop signs," Laws said. "That resulted in the two vehicles on D Street responding to a code three call. They weren't chasing anyone."

A code three call is an emergency needing immediate response.

The LPD has a policy in place that gives each officer a definite set of steps to follow when it comes to high-speed chases.

"We place the safety of the citizens first," Laws said.

The policy explains the purpose and scope of a chase. It emphasizes balancing the safety of the public and law enforcement members compared to the need to apprehend violators of the law. It is also used to reduce and minimize the potential of pursuit-related accidents. Pursuits are initiated, under LPD policy, only when the crime causes great potential or actual harm to the public.

Laws said LPD officers will not chase someone they can identify and pick up at a later time.

The event reported by the public on Nov. 6 in downtown Lemoore between 4:30 and 4:45 p.m. did not qualify under this policy because it was not a pursuit, he said. The officers, on this day, used their sirens and lights to clear their way as they tried to respond to the emergency call.

Lemore police officers are aware of the pursuit policy.

"Our officers receive training in pursuit procedure and in a driving simulator at College of Sequoias on a regular basis," Laws said.

Laws encouraged residents with questions to contact him. People may also pick up a copy of the pursuit policy at the LPD office on the corner of Fox Street and Cinnamon Drive. It is suggested anyone wanting a copy of the policy call before dropping by the office to make sure the material is waiting for them. The LPD phone number is 924-9574.

"It comes down to determining if the violation is worth the risk of a pursuit," Laws said.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2458.

(Nov. 18, 2009)