On December 8, 2009, the Pensacola Police Department (PPD) announced that it had changed its “police chase” policy as a result of the death of 17 year old Victor Steen.  The change prohibits officers, in a police car,  from chasing vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians through heavily populated areas like apartment complexes and parking lots .  This change in policy comes after the PPD’s October revision to its taser policy, also a result of Steen’s death.  Officer Jerald Ard fatally injured Victor Steen on October 3, 2009 when Steen, on bicycle, fell into the path of Ard’s cruiser.  Officer Ard also fired a Taser from the window of his car while in pursuit of Steen.  The Florida Department of Law Enforcement continues to investigate Steen’s death and Officer Ard’s professional conduct.

Tags: police abuse, police brutality, police death, Police Misconduct, Victor Steen