H.R. 5143: District of Columbia Policing Protection Act of 2025

H.R. 5143, the District of Columbia Policing Protection Act, would change the rules for police chases in the District of Columbia. Under the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, officers generally may not chase a suspect fleeing in a motor vehicle unless they reasonably believe the suspect committed a crime of violence or poses an immediate, serious threat, the chase is necessary to prevent that threat and is not likely to cause death or serious injury, and all other options have been exhausted or are unreasonable.

The bill would repeal those restrictions and instead require officers to pursue unless they or a higher-ranking officer reasonably believe the chase would be futile, would put someone other than the suspect at unacceptable risk of harm, or that other means would catch the suspect more effectively or quickly. The Department of Justice would also report to Congress on the costs and benefits of the Metropolitan Police Department adopting technology that alerts the public to an active pursuit nearby.