Wellford Mayor Sallie Peake Defends No Chase Policy
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Wellford Mayor Sallie Peake Speaks
Wellford Mayor Sallie Peake spoke to News Channel 7's Chris Cato about a recent document prohibiting police chases.
Published: September 18, 2009
Updated: September 24, 2009
Updated September 18, 2009
(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.
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Reader Reactions
If that should be the case, I would question teh vote….and the brain of those who voted. ha
Sorry “pwilliams” this story is just too good and is making it’s way across the country. She will probably be your next Governor ;-)
When is this article going to be closed? Many that were dated after this one had already been.
It is my understanding that this “Mayor” has since retracted her position on law enforcement chases. I’m certain that disappointed the crminals in the surrounding area who were no doubt planning a pilgrimage to Wellford to exercise their craft. I am a 25 year veteran of the California Department of Corrections and am thinking of announcing my candidacy for Mayor. I take public safety seriously and appreciate those who put their lives on the line for us daily.
I just contacted “Russ” at the news room. He states that the “mayor” dropped the policy. Mayor in quotes for obvious reasons. I meet a lot of dumb people in my profession, she tops them all!
asertive, I am confused by your comment about for as much as I know, you could be related to me. I never accused you of being related to the mayor. I would think if you were, you wouldn’t be proud to be an enforcement officer. She is obviously not a good communicator, makes bad mistakes and decisions, and for whatever the reason, keeps being re-elected. I guess what the citizens of Wellford need to do now is decide what to do to keep that from happening. Asertive, i respect what you do and with the passion you do it. I am a teacher and certainly know how unappreciated our jobs can be. I was not bashing you. Only bashing how anyone could think what the mayor did and how she reacted was acceptable under any circumstances.
Well, Art, I guess you can try to debunk my experience, but I have not retired yet(2 years to go) and have, out of my almost 28 years in law enforcement, I spent 16 years in patrol, most as a Sgt. on the PM Watch during the 80-90s where PCP’ers and bank robbers were monotony breakers for the homicides and gang shootings endured by my city of over 500,000 people in stuck between two very large counties. I also spent 4 years as a Field Watch Commander(rolling desk in my Dept.) and, have taught at the Academy, worked adult and juvenile investigations, vice, surveillance, press information and the audits and inspection unit. I guess since I never reached the front line position of Chief Deputy Sheriff or Chief of Police, I guess I’m unfit to be a Mayor. But I can run a patrol team, write a report and run a tactical tomorrow if I need to. Heck, I even check my weapon and handcuffs each day I work just in case. I’d say after all my time on the job, its more like a lease than a rent, but I can make an arrest and carry a firearm legally anywhere. Yeah! 2nd Amendment! Rubi, you are right on when you say its a contradiction, but I can tell ya, it has happened at least two times in my career, that the policy was so restrictive, you had to ask why even gas up the cruiser..lol. As far as the foot pursuits, we still operate by the principal, you don’t chase alone, and once you lose sight of the suspect even for a second, you set up a perimeter and call in the dogs and helicopters. It seems a lot of us get our police work from watching COPS, and seems to reflect the ‘tough talk’ and bs on this board. Our local sheriff gives time on the beach to deputies who don’t follow their foot pursuit policy! Yes, sadly,some politicians have to include costs in their trying decide how much police work COPS are actually allowed to do, as they set the budget and provide the toys(I remember life before the Tazer!). Amy, I might just as well be related to you for as much as you know, I know I shouldn’t have to repeat myself when I say I’m not related to Madam Mayor, don’t have a friend or relatives in Wellford SC as far as I know or anywhere nearby. I just have my own actual, REAL experience with police work, politicians, press and judgemental folks…. I hope you all are doing well….Bring back the FAIR doctrine!!
Who advises the mayor, chief, who? Somebody doesn’t know their job or too busy kissing up to do the right thing.
The “No Chase” policy is clearly in contradiction of the police officer’s obligations. It is clear by watching the interview that this is a policy created by someone behind a desk to save money on paper. It is a policy formed from ignorance, and asininity. I urge local residents to contact their mayor and government officials with their disapproval of this policy, and to re-empower local police so that they can keep their city safe. If the mayor does not retract her policy, locals should look into what it takes to impeach their mayor, as clearly she is not capable of governing her city safely and reasonably.
Also - It appears they mayor can not even have real conversation about this policy without becoming childish. This person could never earn my vote for any office after her behavior during that interview.
asertive, so you were a cop for 25 years. If you were, I bet it was in some small town with a population 500. I live in a city with a population of 1,266.000 plus. Our crime rate in 2006 had 12,782 violent crimes commetted against our citizens. a third of these crimes lead to foot and or car chases. Our Mayor is a retired Chief Deputy Sheriff. Before him the Mayor was a retired Chief of Police. Both these Mayors had over 30 years of service. They know how run a mayorship. You stated you were a cop for 25 years. You must of been a rent-a-cop, or a cop stuck behind a desk doing paper work for 25 years….
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