NYPD Reverses Course on Deadly Vehicle Pursuits

The New York Police Department (NYPD) has announced a significant change to its vehicle pursuit policy, aiming to prioritize public and officer safety. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch revealed the new policy, restricting pursuits to situations involving suspected felonies and violent misdemeanors only. This marks a departure from the previous practice of pursuing drivers for traffic infractions and minor offenses.

Key Changes:

• Pursuits are now limited to cases involving suspected felonies and violent misdemeanors.
• Officers will not face disciplinary action for ending pursuits due to safety concerns.

<img src="https://i0.wp.com/www.thecity.nyc/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/010625_nypd_crime_stats_chell_1.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1" alt="NYPD Chief of Department John Chell">

The decision comes after a dramatic surge in vehicle pursuits and related accidents since late 2022, resulting in at least 17 deaths and over 600 injuries. The NYPD previously resisted releasing precise data on these incidents.

The Shift in Leadership and Policy

The policy change is notable given that Commissioner Tisch recently promoted John Chell, a key figure in the previous aggressive pursuit strategy, to Chief of Department. Chell’s previous stance was notably more hardline, stating “People thinking they can take off on us, those days are over.” However, in a statement supporting the new policy, Chell emphasized the importance of balancing criminal pursuit with public safety.

The new policy, effective February 2025, includes enhanced training, stricter supervisory guidelines, and improved record-keeping for all uniformed officers.

The Human Cost of Previous Policies

The article highlights several tragic cases resulting from high-speed chases, including the death of a bicyclist, Hua Zhi Pan, who was killed by a driver fleeing a traffic stop. The NYPD’s initial report omitted the pursuit aspect, only revealing this detail months later in a supplementary report. Another case involves Samuel Williams, who died after a collision with two unmarked police vehicles that unexpectedly swerved into his path during a pursuit.

A lawsuit filed on behalf of a woman injured during a lengthy, chaotic pursuit illustrates the severe consequences of the previous policy and the NYPD's initial attempts to downplay or omit details of such chases in their official reports. The woman described the ongoing trauma of living with the injuries sustained during the incident.