Police pursuits are a high-stakes aspect of law enforcement, requiring careful consideration of public safety and suspect apprehension. When a driver refuses to stop for law enforcement, officers have a range of tools and techniques at their disposal to safely and effectively bring the pursuit to an end. This article delves into the various methods police utilize to stop cars, from high-tech solutions to established tactical maneuvers. Understanding these tools provides valuable insight into the strategies employed to manage and resolve vehicle pursuits.
High-Tech Pursuit Interruption: StarChase
In the realm of modern policing, technology offers innovative solutions to de-escalate dangerous situations like vehicle pursuits. StarChase is one such system, providing a high-tech approach to ending pursuits without aggressive tactics. This system involves a compressed air launcher, typically mounted in the grille of a patrol car, capable of deploying GPS tracking tags. At the push of a button, either from the dashboard or a remote key fob, officers can launch a GPS-enabled tag that adheres to the suspect vehicle.
Once attached, the StarChase tag transmits real-time location data, direction, and speed of the fleeing vehicle to a central monitoring station. This allows law enforcement to disengage from a high-speed chase and track the vehicle from a safe distance. Officers can then strategically plan their intervention, waiting for an opportune moment when the risk to public safety is minimized, such as when the vehicle slows down in residential areas or comes to a stop.
Each StarChase launcher is equipped to deploy two tracking tags, offering a backup in case the first attempt is unsuccessful. The system allows for aiming adjustments, both laterally via the patrol car’s steering and vertically through console controls. To facilitate officer training and proficiency, StarChase also provides inert training tags, enabling practice sessions without the cost of live GPS units. The StarChase system represents a significant advancement in pursuit management, prioritizing safety while maintaining law enforcement effectiveness.
Utilizing Air Support for Vehicle Pursuit Management
For law enforcement agencies fortunate enough to have access to air support, helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft offer a significant advantage in managing and resolving vehicle pursuits. Air units provide an unparalleled vantage point, capable of tracking a suspect vehicle over a wide area, often beyond the line of sight of ground units. This aerial perspective is crucial in maintaining awareness of the fleeing vehicle’s location, direction, and surrounding traffic conditions, enhancing overall safety and coordination.
Air support allows ground units to strategically position themselves and prepare for apprehension without needing to maintain close proximity to the suspect vehicle, reducing the risks associated with high-speed chases. The aerial unit can guide ground units to the suspect’s location, especially if the vehicle attempts to evade on foot after abandoning the car. Furthermore, air support can relay critical information about road conditions, pedestrian traffic, and potential hazards, allowing for informed tactical decisions.
However, the deployment of air support is not universally available due to the substantial costs associated with aircraft operation, maintenance, and staffing. Typically, only larger metropolitan agencies can afford to maintain around-the-clock air support units. While the future may see more widespread use of cost-effective unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) in law enforcement, current regulations and technology limitations still restrict their broad application in pursuit scenarios. Despite these limitations, air support remains a highly effective tool when available, significantly enhancing the safety and efficiency of vehicle pursuit management.
The Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) Maneuver
The Precision Immobilization Technique, commonly known as the PIT maneuver, is a tactical driving technique developed to intentionally force a fleeing vehicle to abruptly turn sideways, causing the driver to lose control and stop. This maneuver is executed by a specially trained officer who uses their patrol vehicle to make brief contact with the rear quarter panel of the suspect vehicle.
To perform the PIT maneuver, the pursuing officer aligns their vehicle alongside the evader, positioning their front bumper near the evader’s rear wheel. At a controlled speed, generally below 35 MPH, the officer gently steers into the rear side of the fleeing vehicle. This precise contact, when executed correctly, causes the evader’s vehicle to rotate, typically 180 degrees, disrupting the driver’s control and bringing the vehicle to a stop. The sudden change in direction and momentum disorients the driver and allows pursuing officers to safely approach and apprehend the suspect.
Developed by the Fairfax County Police Department in the mid-1990s, the PIT maneuver is a highly effective technique when applied appropriately. However, it requires extensive training and consistent practice to maintain proficiency. Law enforcement agencies must invest significant resources in PIT training programs, which often involve vehicle wear and tear. Moreover, the PIT maneuver is not without risks. Improper execution, unsuitable road conditions, or higher speeds can lead to unintended consequences, including vehicle damage, injuries, or loss of control for both vehicles. Modern vehicles equipped with electronic stability control systems can also reduce the effectiveness of the PIT maneuver. Due to these factors, many agencies have stringent policies governing PIT maneuver usage, and some prohibit it altogether due to safety and liability concerns.
Tire Spikes: Deploying Roadblocks to Deflate Tires
Tire spikes, also known as spike strips or road spikes, are a long-standing tool in law enforcement for ending vehicle pursuits. These devices consist of arrays of hollow spikes embedded in a strip, typically made of rubber or plastic, that can be quickly deployed across the roadway. When a fleeing vehicle drives over tire spikes, the sharp spikes puncture the tires, causing them to deflate.
The hollow design of the spikes is crucial for controlled deflation. As the spike penetrates the tire, it breaks off and remains lodged in the tire, allowing air to escape gradually rather than causing a sudden and dangerous blowout. This controlled deflation reduces the risk of a vehicle losing control abruptly, which is a concern with systems that shred tires catastrophically.
Tire spikes are effective in slowing down and eventually stopping vehicles. However, they are not without limitations and risks. While designed for gradual deflation, driving on deflated tires, especially at high speeds, can still be hazardous. Vehicles may continue to travel for a considerable distance on punctured tires or even rims, creating sparks and potential for further incidents. Deployment of tire spikes also poses risks to officers. Officers must position themselves in the path of the fleeing vehicle to deploy the strips effectively, making them vulnerable if the suspect vehicle fails to stop or swerve. Tragically, there have been instances where officers have been injured or killed while deploying tire spikes, highlighting the need for careful tactics and safety protocols.
Arresting Mats: Immobilizing Vehicles with Entangling Fabric
Arresting mats represent an evolution in vehicle immobilization technology, building upon the principles of tire spikes while mitigating some of their drawbacks. These systems integrate spikes into the leading edge of a robust fabric mat, typically made of high-strength materials like Dyneema, which is also used in body armor due to its exceptional tensile strength.
When a vehicle drives over an arresting mat, the spikes puncture the tires, similar to traditional spike strips. However, the key difference is the attached fabric mat. As the vehicle’s wheels rotate onto the mat, the momentum causes the mat to wrap around the tires, entangling the wheels and axles. The Dyneema fabric’s high strength ensures it can withstand significant force without tearing, effectively binding the wheels and preventing further rotation.
The immobilization effect of an arresting mat is often more immediate and decisive than tire spikes alone. By physically preventing wheel rotation, the vehicle comes to a stop more rapidly, sometimes as effectively as applying the brakes forcefully. Manufacturers like QinetiQ Group PLC, with their X-Net product, offer arresting mats that can be deployed remotely or manually. The low profile and dark color of some arresting mats can also make them less visible to approaching drivers compared to traditional spike strips, potentially increasing their effectiveness. Arresting mats offer a robust and relatively safe method for quickly ending vehicle pursuits by directly and mechanically immobilizing the fleeing vehicle.
The Grappler: Wheel Entanglement from a Police Vehicle
The Grappler is another innovative tool designed for vehicle pursuit termination, offering a unique approach to immobilization. Unlike stationary devices like spike strips or arresting mats, The Grappler is a vehicle-mounted system deployed from the pursuing patrol car itself. Mounted on the front bumper, The Grappler features a remotely operated, Y-shaped arm with a strong fabric net stretched between its arms.
To use The Grappler, a trained officer maneuvers their patrol vehicle close to the fleeing vehicle, aiming to position the Y-shaped arm around one of the rear wheels of the suspect car. Once in position, the officer activates the system, extending the arm and lowering the net over the target wheel. The fabric net is designed to snag on the wheel and quickly wrap around it as the vehicle continues to move.
Similar to the arresting mat, The Grappler’s fabric net entangles the wheel, causing it to lock up and immobilize the vehicle. The net remains tethered to the police vehicle, providing an additional level of control even if the suspect attempts to continue driving. The tether can be released by the officer when the vehicle is fully stopped and the situation is secure. However, it’s important to note that The Grappler is most effective on rear-wheel-drive vehicles. On front-wheel-drive cars, it may only deflate the tire without complete immobilization, in which case the tether feature becomes crucial. One potential concern with The Grappler is the close proximity required between the police vehicle and the suspect vehicle during deployment, which could pose risks if the suspect driver takes sudden evasive action. Despite being a newer technology, The Grappler presents a potentially effective method for controlled vehicle immobilization in pursuit scenarios.
Conclusion: A Multifaceted Approach to Pursuit Management
Effectively managing and terminating vehicle pursuits requires a comprehensive strategy encompassing clear policies, appropriate training, and the availability of suitable tools. Law enforcement agencies must develop detailed pursuit policies that outline the circumstances under which a pursuit is justified, the permissible tactics, and the authorized tools for ending pursuits. These policies must prioritize public safety and balance the need for apprehension with the risks associated with high-speed chases and intervention techniques.
Continuous and realistic training is paramount for officers involved in pursuits and the deployment of vehicle stopping tools. Training should not be limited to initial academy instruction but should be an ongoing process, incorporating refresher courses and practical exercises to maintain proficiency and build confidence in using various techniques and technologies. Regular roll-call training sessions can reinforce policies and familiarize officers with available resources and best practices.
In conclusion, the tools available to police for stopping cars are diverse, ranging from technology-driven systems like StarChase and The Grappler to tactical maneuvers like the PIT and deployment of tire spikes and arresting mats. The optimal approach involves a well-integrated system where policy, training, and technology work in concert to ensure pursuits are resolved safely and effectively, minimizing risks to officers and the public alike. Staying informed about these tools and tactics is crucial for both law enforcement professionals and the communities they serve.
About the author
Tim Dees is a retired police officer and the former editor of two major law enforcement websites who writes and consults on technology applications in criminal justice. He can be reached at [email protected].
