NYPD changes policy on high-speed chases after injuries, damage and death
New York City police are cracking down on high-speed chases after finding that about a quarter of the more than 2,200 pursuits initiated last year resulted in a collision, property damage, bodily injury or death
NEW YORK– New York City police are limiting the use of high-speed chases after finding that about a quarter of the more than 2,200 pursuits initiated by officers last year resulted in a collision, property damage, bodily injury or death.
A new policy taking effect Feb. 1 will limit vehicle pursuits to only the most serious and violent crimes, excluding traffic violations, misdemeanors and non-violent felonies.
Officers will also have to consider whether a pursuit goes through a residential area or near a school or playground, Chief Jessica Tisch said. They may terminate the pursuits at their discretion if they believe it cannot be safely continued.
Last October, a cyclist was hit and killed by a pickup truck that police were chasing after a suspected robbery in Queens.
“The NYPD’s enforcement efforts should never place the public or police in unnecessary danger, and pursuits for violations and low-level crimes can be both potentially dangerous and unnecessary,” Tisch said in a statement. “The advanced tools of modern policing make it possible to apprehend criminals more safely and effectively than ever, eliminating the need for many chases.”
Of the 2,278 pursuits last year, about two-thirds involved a vehicle fleeing a traffic stop. Many of these would not be allowed under the new policy, the NYPD said.
The department said it will train all uniformed officers on the new policy and conduct monthly reviews to ensure compliance. It will also issue an annual report on compliance.
This is evident from 911 data obtained by the website Streetsblog NYCThe number of pursuits per vehicle increased from 15 in January 2022 to 227 in January 2024. Police conducted more than 100 pursuits monthly from July 2023 to September 2024, the last month for which data was available, the site said.