Two New York police officers faced suspension following a tragic incident where they pursued a stolen SUV that later caught fire, leaving the driver deceased inside. The circumstances of the chase and the vehicle's fiery outcome are under investigation by both the Police Department and the state attorney general's office. The incident raises questions about police pursuit policies, especially after recent changes intended to curb dangerous high-speed chases for low-level offenses, emphasizing the need for protocols to ensure public safety and officer discretion during pursuits.
Firefighters received a 911 call at 4:56 a.m. Wednesday about a car on fire on Dyckman Street, and when they arrived, they found a Honda CRV engulfed in flames and the driver dead inside.
Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch announced that New York City police officers would no longer engage in high-speed chases of drivers who break traffic laws or commit other low-level offenses to reduce crashes.
The police said that the officers were pursuing the vehicle, which had been stolen, and that the entire incident is under investigation, including how the Honda ended up in flames.
Our officers deserve clear guidance and smart protocols when determining whether to engage in a vehicle pursuit on our streets, as pursuits for low-level crimes can be both potentially dangerous and unnecessary.
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