Pittsburgh Police Undergoing 'Full Review' of Pursuit Policy

A day after a Pittsburgh police chase started by a traffic stop ended in a crash that left a 12-year-old critically injured and four others hurt, the police chief ordered officers to initiate pursuits only if they believe a violent felony occurred, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette .

The bureau policy on motor vehicle pursuits is undergoing a "full review," police Chief Cameron McLay wrote in a memo sent to bureau personnel Monday.

"Regrettably, too many instances occur where our police pursuits create greater danger to the public than the violations we are seeking to address through enforcement," he wrote.

While the policy is under review, Pittsburgh police officers, as of Monday, are only to "initiate a motor vehicle pursuit where she/​he has reasonable belief the individual(s) in the offending vehicle is involved in a violent, felony crime. Members shall not engage in a motor vehicle pursuit for traffic violations only."

The chase that ended in a crash Sunday (go here for video) was initiated after police saw a car "speed through an intersection without making an attempt to stop at the stop sign," public safety spokeswoman Sonya Toler said. The bureau refused to identify any of the victims, the officer involved or the driver.