Beginning February 1, new guidelines have been put into place that restrict police vehicle pursuits to only the most severe and violent crimes. This shift comes after data revealed that roughly 25% of over 2,200 high-speed chases last year resulted in collisions, property damage, injuries, or fatalities.
This policy change prohibits pursuits purely for traffic infractions, nonviolent misdemeanors, or minor violations. Officers are now mandated to consider the risks of continuing a chase, especially if it involves passing through residential areas or near schools and playgrounds.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch commented on the policy revision, emphasizing the importance of public safety and the potential dangers that come with chasing violators for low-level offenses. “The NYPD’s enforcement efforts must never put the public or the police at undue risk, and pursuits for violations and low-level crimes can be both potentially dangerous and unnecessary,” she stated. She noted modern policing tools allow for safer apprehension of suspects without engaging in risky pursuits.
The revised policy aims to curb a concerning trend noted in the data. According to information obtained by Streetsblog NYC, police chases spiked significantly over the past years, with more than 100 pursuits each month from mid-2023 to late 2024. This frequency highlighted the need for reevaluating when and how pursuits are initiated.
As part of enforcing this new policy, all uniformed officers will receive comprehensive training. The department will also perform monthly evaluations to ensure adherence to the guidelines and release annual reports detailing compliance.
The tragic incident of October last year is a poignant reminder of the potential consequences of high-speed pursuits. In that instance, a bicyclist was fatally struck by a vehicle being pursued by police after a suspected robbery. Such events underscore the need for a more cautious approach and the capacity to terminate a pursuit when it poses excessive risk.
By introducing these new restrictions, the NYPD seeks to balance crime control with the safety of both officers and the public. The policy is a proactive step towards minimizing the negative outcomes associated with high-speed pursuits, leveraging advanced policing methods to track suspects without resorting to dangerous chases.
