Jessica Tisch, the Commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD), recently declared updates to the NYPD’s vehicle pursuit policy. These updates are designed to preserve the safety of both law enforcement officers and the citizens of NYC. It stipulates conditions under which the police are allowed to pursue a vehicle. The reform is expected to augment the safety for both NYPD officers and the general public, without compromising the pursuit of those accused of serious and violent crimes. The policy updates are scheduled to be effective from February 1, following a comprehensive training of all NYPD uniformed officers.
Outlined below are four key points about the revised policy: Firstly, the concept of ‘officer discretion’. Under the newly announced regulations, officers’ power to initiate pursuits will be confined to circumstances involving ‘severe and violent crimes’, specifically felonies and violent misdemeanors. NYPD officers will not be authorized to pursue individuals for traffic offenses, violations or non-violent misdemeanors. The discretion to initiate a pursuit would also be informed by the location and nature of the surrounding environment, especially in residential areas or close to schools and playgrounds.
The second change is ‘active monitoring and regulation’. The amendments introduced new duties for supervisors to ‘actively monitor and supervise’ pursuits. This includes governing the speed of a chase and the duty to call for specialized units, if the situation so dictates. According to the NYPD, any officer who chooses to discontinue a pursuit due to safety considerations will not face disciplinary measures or adverse criticism.
Thirdly, introducing ‘monthly audits’. Inbuilt technological systems will aid in the compliance and record keeping of such vehicle pursuits. NYPD will carry out monthly assessments of vehicle pursuits to ensure policy adherence and pinpoint areas that need improvements. In addition, this policy shift mandates academy training on the updates and obligates an annual review of the policy and its associated reporting procedures.
Lastly, the impact of vehicle pursuits on Staten Island. As per NYPD reports, there were 2,278 vehicle pursuits in the year 2024. Roughly 25% of these pursuits resulted in some form of crash, property destruction, or bodily injury. Out of these pursuits, 67% were instigated by an individual resisting a car stop; many of these instances would be deemed unauthorized under the revised policy.
In December 2023, a notably chaotic pursuit occurred when an alleged stolen commercial box truck caused widespread damage and injury. Seven police officers were wounded, seven NYPD vehicles were wrecked, and dozens of other cars were damaged after the truck sped through several neighborhoods in Staten Island. This all transpired after an attempted police stop.
Another incident unfolded in New Dorp in 2023. A police chase ended near The Boulevard shopping center on Mill Road. This pursuit was also noteworthy due to the substantial wreckage it caused in its trail.
In November 2023, morning rush hour was disrupted by an intense chase that concluded with the capture of a driver behind a hustling strip mall in New Dorp. An NYPD officer was severely injured during this pursuit, further emphasizing the potential dangers of such actions.
In a troubling incident in December 2023, a man from Brooklyn instigated a law enforcement pursuit that resulted in multiple crashes with severe consequences. These incidents resulted in injuries to nine individuals, including two NYPD officers and four children. The suspect was accused of ignoring multiple stop lights at frenetic intersections near the Staten Island Expressway.
Emphasizing the importance of these policy changes, the NYPD’s Chief of Department, John Chell stated, ‘Our primary goal, at all times, is to ensure the safety of the residents of this distinguished city. For that to happen, it’s essential to balance when to pursue criminals and when to show restraint, especially considering the safety of the general public and our officers. Our updated policy achieves this delicate balance and is predicted to increase safety for both police and our communities.’