7-403 - Tire Deflation Devices

Because of the risks involved with vehicle pursuits, officers and supervisors shall mitigate the likelihood of a pursuit whenever possible. Tire deflation devices may prevent vehicles from fleeing, reducing the likelihood of crashes or other adverse situations, and reducing risk to the officers, vehicle occupants and the community.

This policy is intended to cover the use of these devices for fleeing prevention.

Tire deflation devices: Commercially manufactured law enforcement products, (currently made by “Stop Stick Ltd”), which contain puncture devices to deflate vehicle tires. Also referred to as fleeing prevention devices. The devices are used on a vehicle that is stopped. There are two styles of approved tire deflation devices officers are permitted to deploy, which both have a tire deflation rate of five seconds:

1. The Patrol Terminator, which is generally preferred for fleeing prevention, and

2. The Piranha, which is primarily intended as a covert option.

Department-Issued Devices and Training

1. Officers shall only use approved department-issued tire deflation devices.

2. Only officers who have been trained in deployment by the MPD may these deploy tire deflation devices.
3. This policy is not intended to cover tactical (intentional) deflation of tires by specialized units such as SWAT.

Deployment

Officers may deploy approved tire deflation devices to prevent a vehicle from fleeing, subject to the following conditions:

1. The officers can articulate the need to prevent the vehicle from fleeing and why the device was necessary. Factors may include:

• The driver has a known history of fleeing
• A suspect in the vehicle has active warrants
• The driver or occupant exhibits behavior or movements indicative of fleeing
• The vehicle is an occupied, parked, stolen vehicle
• The occupants are asleep or unconscious
• The vehicle is under surveillance for a felony level crime
• The time and location of the vehicle stop

2. This device shall only be deployed on stationary vehicles as a fleeing prevention tool.
3. This tire deflation device shall not be used on any vehicle that normally operates with fewer than four pneumatic tires.
4. Officers should only use this device when it can be safely deployed. For example, if the approach on a felony stop would make it unsafe to deploy prior to securing the occupants, officers should avoid doing so.

Pursuit

In a situation where a vehicle with a deflated tire flees, officers are shall not pursue the vehicle unless it meets the requirements of an Authorized Pursuit (P&P 7-402).

Placement

The best tactical placement for deployment is between the front and rear tires. Other placement options may work better in certain circumstances (such as on an unoccupied vehicle).

Warnings and Announcements

Warn the Driver

When practical, officers shall verbally warn the driver that a tire deflation device has been deployed and tire damage may result if the vehicle is moved.

Broadcast Deployment

Officers who deploy the Patrol Terminator shall broadcast the deployment over the radio. For example, “Squad 123- I have deployed TDD (Tire Deflation Devices)”. This will alert other officers in the area that this vehicle has the potential to flee.

Device Recovery

Stop Completion

Upon completion of the stop, officers shall recover the device prior to the vehicle leaving, and shall inform the driver when it is safe to leave.

Device Inspection and Reuse

1. Once used and activated, the device shall be delivered to the Auto Theft Prevention unit, who will inspect and re-load the device, and will return it to service.

2. Officers shall ensure that the tire deflation device is in working order at the beginning of their shift.

Evidence Retention

The device shall be retained and submitted as evidence if the use of the device resulted in a crash involving great bodily harm or death or was otherwise used in a critical incident.

Reporting

No Tire Damage

No report being made

Officers who deploy a tire deflation device that does not result in tire damage shall document the information in CAD when a Police Report will not be made.

Report being made

Officers who deploy a tire deflation device that does not result in tire damage shall document the information in the Police Report when a report will be made for the incident, and shall include the code STOPST.

Tire Damage

Officers who deploy a tire deflation device that results in tire damage shall document the deployment in a Police Report, and shall include the code STOPST.

Training

The Training Division shall be responsible for device training and shall maintain records of officers authorized to deploy tire deflation devices.

Program Administration

1. The Auto Theft Prevention unit shall purchase and issue equipment and shall maintain a current inventory of tire deflation devices, including a record of which vehicles or units the devices are assigned to.

2. Tire deflation devices shall be mounted and carried in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.