Wellford Mayor Sallie Peake Rescinds No Chase Policy

Updated September 24, 2009

(Wellford, SC) -- Wellford Mayor Sallie Peake is rescinding her controversial "no chase" policy, saying she is following the example of an embattled South Carolina congressman.

"I'm like Joe Wilson," says Peake. "He was forced to apologize. I'm changing (the policy) not because I want to, but because I've been asked to."

Three weeks ago, Peake sent a memo to all Wellford police officers which says: "As of this date, there are to be no more foot chases when a suspect runs. I do not want anyone chasing after any suspects whatsoever."

She said she did this because officers kept getting injured during chases, costing the small town too much money in insurance.

But on Thursday, Peake said she has decided to rescind the policy after talking to 7th Circuit Solicitor Trey Gowdy, who she considers a close friend. She says Gowdy sent her a letter saying he is concerned about the impact her policy could have on the community. Read the letter.
She called him on Wednesday and they talked.

"It places officers in an impossible and untenable position to not be able to pursue fleeing felons," said Gowdy.

He said he drafted the letter to Peake after police officers came to talk to him, expressing concern because Peake's policy conflicts with their sworn duty to uphold the law. He would not say if the officers work for Wellford.

"It just hamstrings law enforcement in a way that I really don't think Mayor Peake intended," said Gowdy.

Peake said she has asked the city's attorney to draft a new policy that will rescind the current order and allow officers to once again pursue suspects on foot.

"They can run, jump, climb trees, tumble, wreck cars, whatever they want to do," said Peake.

But she's not apologizing for anything she said last Friday in her fiery interview with WSPA which has been shown on CNN and many other affiliates around the country.

"I meant what I said, and I say what I mean, and I stand by it!" said Peake.

Click here to watch Chris Cato's full interview on the reverse of the policy.

Updated September 18, 2009
Watch video of the mayor defend her previous position

(Wellford, SC) -- The Mayor of Wellford is defending her policy which bans police officers in that city from chasing suspects. Sallie Peake says the policy also includes vehicle chases along with pursuits on foot.

A memo issued on September 2nd from Peake to all Wellford officers reads:

"As of this date, there are to be no more foot chases when a suspect runs. I do not want anyone chasing after any suspects whatsoever."

WSPA first reported the mandate on Wednesday after an anonymous citizen faxed a copy of the memo to our newsroom. Peake was out of town and unavailable for comment. On Friday, reporter Chris Cato caught up with her in her office and questioned her about the origin of the policy. Peake says she issued the mandate because several officers have been injured during chases, driving up insurance costs for the town.

"The officers are costing us more money on insurance than most citizens here in the city of Wellford are even earning," says Peake.

She says the city is paying out $20,000 annually in workers' compensation claims, much of it due to the police force. In July, two officers wrecked their cruisers while chasing suspects and had to go to the hospital for minor treatment. The police chief says three officers have been injured during foot chases in the last two years.

Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright says the policy prevents police from upholding the law -- a direct violation of their constitutional oath.

"If a bank robber or a drunk driver or a shoplifter or somebody with a warrant runs on foot, it's our obligation to do what we can do to bring them to justice," says Wright.

But when we asked Peake about her order impeding an officer from stopping a crime in progress, she became defensive and irate. The conversation went as follows:

Reporter: "Are you telling your officers if they witness a crime - they witness someone commit a crime on someone else and they're ten yards away - they can't go stop that person?"
Peake: "Is that in there?" (referring to policy)
Reporter: "It says no chases whatsoever."
Peake: "Well, that's what I said, no chases, didn't I? I didn't say nothing about a crime. If you see a crime, this that and the other -"
Reporter: "Well, that's what a chase is - "
Peake: "Well, I told them no chase on foot, and (the police chief) know exactly what I mean, so you're trying to twist what I -"
Reporter: "No, I'm not. You said no chases. No chases means no chases."
Peake: (claps hands) "You got you a story, thank God! You are so sweet! You got you a story on a woman in Wellford! Hallelujah! I'm so proud of you, Mr. Cato!"

Click here to see the entire interview.

Wellford Police Chief Chris Guy has told his officers to abide by the policy. He says they can still protect the public.

"Just because a suspect may run does not mean we can't identify them, sign warrants, and catch them later," says Guy.

But Sheriff Wright says when a suspect gets away, there is always the chance he could hurt someone before officers catch up with him.

Peake says that won't happen in Wellford.

Here's hoping the arm of the law really is long.

Posted September 9, 2009

The mayor of an Upstate city has issued an order that may handcuff her police officers and put citizens at risk, according to some.

News Channel 7 received a fax from an anonymous person identifying themself as "a concerned Wellford citizen". Included was a memo written by Wellford Mayor Sallie Peake, addressed to all city police officers. Dated September 2, 2009, it reads:

"As of this date, there are to be no more foot chases when a suspect runs. I do not want anyone chasing after any suspects whatsoever."

We have not been able to reach Peake for comment. The city clerk tells us the Mayor is out of town on vacation and is unreachable.

Wellford Police Chief Chris Guy confirmed the memo was legitimate. He says he has told his officers to abide by the order until he can sit down with Peake and talk about it.

"This came about because an officer twisted his ankle while chasing a suspect a couple of weeks ago," said Chief Guy.

He said he could not comment further until he has talked with Peake about how the policy will affect his officers' abilities to perform their duties.

For an outside opinion, we went to Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright.

"I've never seen a memo like that before, telling your police officers not to do their job," said Wright. "That's strange."

Wright says Peake has essentiall handcuffed her officers.

"If a bank robber or a drunk driver or a shoplifter or somebody with a warrant runs on foot, it's our obligation to do what we can do to bring them to justice," says Wright.

He says the memo may actually be illegal because it directly conflicts with a police officer's constitutional oath to uphold the law. And he says while it may protect officers from injury, it may also put citizens at risk.

"If you've got somebody that's running from the police, whose to say they won't break into your home to get away from law enforcement?" said Wright.

He said he is going to ask State Law Enforcement Division if the memo is legal. In the meantime, he says he will add patrols to the Wellford area in case officers need help catching suspects who decide to run.

We will continue following this story and get answers from Mayor Sallie Peake.