A proposal approved Monday by a Los Angeles public safety panel would give police officers more discretion over when to flip on their lights and sirens.

The recommendation is partly aimed at reducing lawsuits stemming from accidents that occur when officers respond to calls without lights and sirens and their patrol cars cannot be seen or heard as easily. Since 2006, the city has paid out $11 million as a result of such collisions.

The plan approved by the City Council's Public Safety Committee was recommended by Police Chief William Bratton. Under the new policy, which mirrors those from other police agencies around the state, officers will be allowed to decide when they respond to crime scenes under Code 3 - using lights and sirens.

"We have to look at the reality of what the department is facing vs. the perception," said Councilman Dennis Zine, a former police officer. "We give our officers guns and badges and train them. I think we can allow this and see how it works."

Councilman Bernard Parks, the city's former police chief, opposes the plan, saying it offers too much flexibility to officers to use sirens and lights without reporting it to supervisors.

"There will be no knowledge by supervisors that you have a bunch of people going Code 3 and could be going to the same event," Parks said. "There is no clarity on how far an officer can come, or based on what information."

Parks, Zine and Councilman Greig Smith had asked for a review of the new policy, contained in a special order issued by Bratton, out of concern it could result in overuse by officers and create potential hazards.

Zine, who worked as an officer for more than 30 years and still serves as a reserve officer, asked that a report be provided in six months on how the new policy is working.