COMMISSIONER TISCH ANNOUNCES NEW NYPD VEHICLE PURSUIT POLICY
January 15, 2025
Critical changes will clarify procedures, increase management oversight, and restrict pursuits to only the most serious crimes
New policy will strengthen street safety and ensure officers can continue to apprehend dangerous suspects
Advanced tools of modern-day policing make pursuits of low-level offenses unnecessary
New York, New York – New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch today announced a new policy regarding New York City Police Department vehicle pursuits. The new regulations will strengthen street and roadway safety for city residents and officers alike, while also maintaining the ability of the NYPD to apprehend suspects wanted for serious and dangerous crimes.
“New York is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, and our officers deserve clear guidance and smart protocols when determining whether to engage in a vehicle pursuit on our streets,” said Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “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. The advanced tools of modern-day policing make it possible to apprehend criminals more safely and effectively than ever before, making many pursuits unnecessary. Now, our cops will have clear, unambiguous parameters for when to initiate, continue, and terminate these pursuits. This new policy will also expand supervision over such pursuits and require more detailed and timely documentation when these pursuits occur. These key changes will make both the police and the public safer and further improve the NYPD’s service to the city.”
The updated policy sets clear standards and guidelines about when officers can engage in such pursuits, and technological enhancements will improve record-keeping and compliance. The new policy will take effect on February 1, 2025, to allow training to begin for all uniformed members of the service in the upcoming days. Changes to the NYPD’s vehicle pursuit policy include:
- Officer discretion to initiate a vehicle pursuit is now limited to only the most serious and violent crimes (felonies and violent misdemeanors). Pursuits will not be allowed for traffic infractions, violations, or non-violent misdemeanors.
- Discretion will be guided by the location of the pursuit and whether it is in a residential community or near a school or playground.
- Additional responsibilities placed on supervisors to actively monitor and manage the pursuit, such as actively monitoring the speed of the pursuits and requesting specialized units to assist if needed.
- Officers will not be the subject of criticism or disciplinary action if they terminate the pursuit because they do not believe it can be continued safely.
- New technological enhancements to improve record-keeping and increase compliance.
- Monthly review of vehicle pursuits to ensure policies have been followed and identify improvements that need to be made.
- Mandated academy training and an annual report on the policy and reporting procedures.
“Our overarching objective—every minute of every day—is to keep the people of this great city safe,” said Chief of Department John Chell. “In order to do that, we need to pursue criminals when appropriate and stay our hand when the risks to the public and to our cops outweigh the benefits. Our revised policy strikes that critical balance and will make our city safer for police and our communities.”
In 2024, there were 2,278 vehicle pursuits, with approximately 25% of those pursuits resulting in some combination of a collision, property damage, or physical harm. 67% of pursuits were the result of a fled car stop, many of which would no longer be authorized under this new policy.
Today’s announcement is the latest reform in Commissioner Tisch’s review and evaluation of department policy and procedure, and the continual enhancement of the NYPD’s efforts to ensure public safety.