Feb 17, 1:24 PM EST
LA County deputies to avoid chasing armed suspects
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Sheriff's deputies in Los Angeles County are being directed to avoid chasing armed suspects under a new policy to reduce shootings by deputies.
The new guidelines to be unveiled Wednesday advise that deputies try to contain a suspect then call for back up.
Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore says he believes the policy is the first of its kind in the nation. The change comes after Sheriff Lee Baca ordered a review of policies in the wake of a flurry of shootings by deputies.
A county agency and several training officers made the recommendation in a new guide called Split-second Decision. Further details of the report will be released at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
