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Police Union Asks For Policy Change After Officer's Shooting

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 29, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - The police union in Pinellas County has responded to the Monday night shooting of a St. Petersburg police officer by asking the mayor to step up the war on crime – specifically, by loosening the policy dictating when officers can chase criminals in their squad cars.

"Until you stand and take a hard-nosed approach against these criminals, this brazen 'no regard for humanity' attitude will continue to spread amongst the offenders in St. Petersburg, and unfortunately, citizens and officers alike will continue being hurt," Michael Krohn, executive director of the Pinellas County Police Benevolent Association, wrote Mayor Rick Baker in a one-page letter dated Wednesday.

The letter was e-mailed to media organizations this morning.

Police said a 41-year-old undercover officer was shot Monday by James Seay, 18, after Seay and two accomplices took part in the armed robbery of a gas station. The undercover officer and a partner spotted the teens on bicycles and set up an impromptu surveillance operation, with the undercover officer approaching the teens in an alley after the robbery and subsequently getting shot, police said.

The teenagers were chased on foot and arrested. There was no police pursuit involving squad cars.

A St. Petersburg police officer is allowed to pursue a suspect in a squad car if the suspect has been involved in a violent felony such as rape, murder or armed robbery.

A St. Petersburg police officer cannot pursue a suspect known to have stolen the car he is driving. Krohn would like the policy changed so officers can.

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