My Profile

My Profile

Change Password

  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Gothamist
  4. 2025
January 15, 2025

Here's what to know about the NYPD's new car chase rules

By Charles Lane

The NYPD updated its policy regarding when officers can initiate vehicle pursuits on Wednesday. While the old rules gave officers little direction on when to engage in car chases, the new guidance prohibits them from chasing people suspected of low-level offenses.

The change comes after the old policy was criticized for being vague and unsafe.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said police now have more modern ways to track down suspects and that officers needed clear, updated guidance.

“Now, our cops will have clear, unambiguous parameters for when to initiate, continue, and terminate these pursuits,” she said.

Here's what to know about the change.

What was the old policy?

The old policy left it up to police officers in the moment to decide whether or not a car chase was dangerous, which street safety advocates criticized as vague.

According to a memo obtained by news outlet The City, “a vehicle pursuit must be terminated whenever the risks to members of the service and the public outweigh the danger to the community if the suspect is not immediately apprehended.”

The NYPD clarified its policy in 2023 after car chases increased. John Chell — who was previously the chief of patrol but is currently the chief of department — championed the old policy at the time, saying that officers were good at vehicle pursuits.

"People thinking they can take off on us, those days are over,” he said at the time.

In her announcement of the updated policy, Tisch highlighted public safety and said 25% of 2024’s chases resulted in collisions that caused property damage or physical injury. That equals about 570 crashes, or more than one-and-a-half per day.

What is the new policy?

The new policy takes effect on Feb. 1 and prohibits officers from engaging in pursuits for low-level offenses like traffic infractions, violations or nonviolent misdemeanors. Officers will be limited to initiating pursuits for serious crimes, like felonies and violent misdemeanors.

The policy also requires the department to track and report vehicle pursuits, and requires supervisors to monitor the speed of pursuits and report the number of pursuits that occur monthly.

The new policy also won’t punish officers if they stop pursuits they feel are dangerous.

According to Tisch, two-thirds of the 2,278 car chases in 2024 conducted under the old policy would not be permitted under the new policy.

What has the reaction been?

Police unions and street safety advocates praised the new policy.

“We thank the department’s leadership for listening to our concerns regarding vehicle pursuits, and we welcome the additional clarity for our members on the streets,” said Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association.

“ Since Adams took office, the number of police chases has increased and we've seen a direct increase in pedestrian injuries and deaths,” said Sara Lind, co-executive director at Open Plans, an organization that advocates for safer, less congested streets. “Police or the people that are chasing are driving recklessly and then hitting people. That's obviously unacceptable.”

Chell, the chief of department, praised the change even after previously touting the need for pursuits.

"We need to pursue criminals when appropriate and stay our hand when the risks to the public and to our cops outweigh the benefits," he said on Wednesday. "Our revised policy strikes that critical balance and will make our city safer for police and our communities.”