NYPD's Jessica Tisch Announces New Policy Effective Feb. 1, Restricting Vehicle Pursuits to Serious Crimes

Jan 15, 2025, 05:22 PM

The New York Police Department (NYPD) has announced a new policy on vehicle pursuits, effective February 1, in response to at least 17 deaths and hundreds of injuries resulting from high-speed chases. The revised policy, announced by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, restricts pursuits to cases involving only the most serious and violent crimes, such as felonies and violent misdemeanors. Pursuits will no longer be initiated for traffic infractions, violations, or non-violent misdemeanors. Tisch emphasized that the department's enforcement efforts must not put the public or police at undue risk, highlighting the unnecessary danger posed by chases for low-level crimes. The policy change follows a significant increase in vehicle pursuits, with a 600% rise during the first three months of 2023 and 2,278 chases last year, of which 25% resulted in collisions, injuries, or property damage. Officers will now have the discretion to terminate a pursuit if they deem it unsafe, without facing disciplinary action.