A few of our stories and columns are now in front of the paywall. We at The Chief-Leader remain committed to independent reporting on labor and civil service. It's been our mission since 1897. You can have a hand in ensuring that our reporting remains relevant in the decades to come. Consider supporting The Chief, which you can do for as little as $3.20 a month.
To the editor:
Police pursuits are a controversial topic. Nevertheless, they are a necessary, albeit dangerous, part of police work. Nearly every day, pursuits end with injuries and/or death. Regrettably, in many instances, those who are injured or killed were not involved in the chase.
Most pursuits are initiated solely because of a traffic violation. Therefore, whenever a suspect-vehicle flees, cops must immediately determine whether the need to apprehend is worth the risk of property damage, injury or death.
Shockingly, between 2022 and 2023 the number of reported NYPD pursuits increased by more than 600 percent and resulted in nearly $14 million in claims. Given these outcomes, it seems logical for the NYPD to revise its policies and limit pursuits to violent crimes.
As the restrictive changes are implemented, it’s equally important that lawbreakers are not emboldened. Officials must therefore continually examine the effectiveness of pursuit mitigation techniques such as tire deflation devices, GPS tracking projectiles and drone technology.
Undoubtedly, the chances of pursuits having unintended consequences increase in urban areas. Restricting pursuits will likely reduce the risk of injuries to cops and civilians and decrease pursuit-related litigation. And the changes align with policing’s best practices.
James T. Scott
1 comment on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
NYC
Well said !
Friday, January 31 Report this