NEW YORK — The New York City Police Department is reevaluating its approach to high-speed chases following data revealing that nearly 25% of over 2,200 chases initiated by officers in the past year resulted in accidents, damage to property, injuries, or fatalities.
A new policy set to take effect on February 1 will restrict vehicle pursuits to only the most severe and violent offenses. This means that pursuits for traffic violations, minor misdemeanors, and nonviolent offenses will no longer be permitted.
Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized that officers must consider the potential dangers of a chase, especially if it would go through residential areas or near schools and playgrounds. Officers will have the authority to call off a pursuit if they determine it is unsafe to continue.
This policy comes in the wake of a tragic incident last October when a bicycle rider was killed after being struck by a pickup truck that was fleeing from police pursuing a robbery suspect in Queens.
“The enforcement actions of the NYPD must never endanger the public or our officers. Chases for low-level offenses can be both dangerous and unnecessary,” Tisch stated. She added that advancements in policing technology provide safer and more effective ways to apprehend suspects, thus making many high-speed pursuits redundant.
Out of the 2,278 chases last year, about two-thirds were initiated due to vehicles fleeing traffic stops, many of which would not be sanctioned under the new regulations, according to the NYPD.
To ensure compliance with the new rules, the department will train all uniformed officers and conduct monthly assessments of adherence to the policy. An annual report will also be issued to monitor compliance.
Data from 911 calls shared by Streetsblog NYC indicates that the number of vehicle chases surged dramatically, increasing from 15 in January 2022 to 227 by January 2024. Monthly statistics show that the police engaged in over 100 pursuits each month from July 2023 through September 2024, which is the most recent data available.
