The NYPD is rolling out new guidelines for vehicle pursuits, restricting them to cases involving “only the most serious and violent crimes.”

Starting Feb. 1, officers will only be allowed to chase suspects in instances that involve felonies or violent misdemeanors, according to new guidelines released by the department Wednesday.

What You Need To Know

  • Starting Feb. 1, officers will only be allowed to chase suspects in instances that involve felonies or violent misdemeanors

  • traffic violations, violations and nonviolent misdemeanors are no longer grounds for pursuit

  • Officers will not face disciplinary action for ending a pursuit they deem unsafe

Pursuits will no longer be permitted for traffic violations, violations and nonviolent misdemeanors no longer being grounds for pursuit, according to the guidelines.

“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,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica 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.”

According to the NYPD, supervisors will actively manage pursuits, including monitoring pursuit speeds and deciding when to call in specialized units.

Officers will not face disciplinary action for ending a pursuit they deem unsafe, the department said.

The department said there were 2,278 vehicle pursuits last year. According to the NYPD, 25% of those pursuits resulted in collisions or harm and more than 65% of those pursuits involved fleeing cars.

The NYPD plans to conduct monthly reviews “to ensure policies have been followed and identify improvements that need to be made.”