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Field Operations Directives (FODs)

20-001 Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT)


20-002 Ring Neighbors Law Enforcement Portal
19-002 Impounded and Stored Vehicles

 

 

 

PURSUIT INTERVENTION TECHNIQUE (PIT)

 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Field Operations Directive is to provide deputies with the guidelines and reporting procedures related with the use of the pursuit intervention technique (PIT), also referred as the PIT maneuver.  Pursuits are inherently dangerous and can place both law enforcement officers and the community at risk.  The PIT is a tool available to law enforcement to bring a potentially dangerous vehicle pursuit to an end.  It is defined as a forced rotational stop of a non-compliant suspect’s vehicle.  The PIT maneuver is not intended as a replacement for a high-risk traffic stop, but is an option which can be utilized in specific situations by trained and certified sworn personnel.   

POLICY

It is the policy of the Department for deputy personnel to utilize the PIT when the imminent danger caused by the suspect’s actions and/or blatant disregard for the safety of motorists and pedestrians outweighs the potential risk of employing the PIT.  The PIT is considered a Legal Intervention.  As defined by the highway patrol manual section 110.5, Chapter 2-15, a Legal Intervention is an intentional act, usually resulting in apprehension or an attempt to apprehend.

PROCEDURE

The pursuit intervention technique may only be utilized by trained and certified sworn personnel when all of the following conditions exist:

  • The risk of harm to deputies or the public outweighs the potential risk of implementing the PIT;
  • Other reasonable means of apprehension (tire deflation devices, etc.) are not practical or have proven ineffective;
  • A third unit has joined the pursuit and is in position to support the primary and secondary units;
  • The speed of both the primary (radio car) and suspect vehicle is 35 miles per hour (mph) or less; and
  • The primary unit’s watch commander has given approval.

Once the watch commander has approved the PIT maneuver, a PIT trained and certified unit shall take the primary position in the pursuit when feasible.  Once a third unit has joined the pursuit, the primary unit may utilize the PIT on the suspect vehicle whenever that deputy decides it would be both effective and safe.  Once approval has been granted, the decision to employ the PIT remains with the primary unit involved until withdrawn or cancelled by the watch commander.

A significant concern for the deputy utilizing the PIT is the location.  Site selection for the PIT is critical for safely and effectively employing the technique.  In an effort to decrease the probability of injury or property damage, the following factors should be considered when selecting a location:

  • The presence of congested traffic and/or proximity to pedestrians;
  • Road hazards, blind curves, nearby structures, or buildings;
  • The nature of surrounding area (residential or commercial); and
  • When practical, the deputy may coordinate with Aero Bureau.

Additional Considerations

Unless exigent circumstances exist, the PIT shall not be employed on:

  • Pursued vehicles traveling in excess of 35 mph;
  • Vehicles where the suspect is known to be armed with a firearm;
  • Vehicles transporting known hazardous materials;
  • Significantly heavier vehicles (i.e., buses, motorhomes, semi-trucks); and/or
  • Vehicles with a high center of gravity.

Deputy personnel should be aware that employing the PIT will cause them to be in close proximity to the suspect.  In addition, implementing the PIT on a motorcycle or vehicle with less than four wheels is considered deadly force.  Therefore, it should only be used on a motorcycle or vehicle with less than four wheels when deadly force is justified.

Employment of the PIT

Prior to the PIT maneuver, the deputy should broadcast via Sheriff’s radio their intention of conducting the PIT to allow the second and third unit to adjust their positioning and distance for post-PIT tactics.

The PIT shall not be used when the speed of either vehicle is in excess of 35 mph.  Higher speeds can result in over rotation of the suspect vehicle.  The PIT is conducted in this order.  The patrol vehicle approaches the suspect vehicle from the rear (fig. 1). 

The deputy determines from which side to perform the PIT, accelerates, and matches the speed of the suspect vehicle (fig. 2).  The deputy can PIT from either side, however, contact should generally occur on the side of the suspect vehicle with the most available roadway.

The deputy accelerates until the front quarter panel of the patrol vehicle is even with the rear quarter panel of the suspect vehicle (fig. 3).  There should be minimal spacing between the two vehicles in order to reduce a ramming effect.

Once in position, the deputy steers the patrol vehicle until the front quarter panel makes gentle contact with the rear quarter panel of the suspect vehicle (fig. 4).

Once contact has been made, the deputy turns the steering wheel approximately ¼ to ½ turn toward the suspect vehicle while smoothly accelerating the patrol vehicle if necessary (fig. 5).  The suspect vehicle should rotate to the side the PIT contact was made (i.e., if the PIT contact was made on the driver’s side, the vehicle will rotate toward the driver’s side).

The PIT maneuver causes the rear wheels of the suspect vehicle to break traction, causing it to spin from the rear approximately 180 degrees (figs. 6-9).  The deputy must keep a firm, steady grip on their steering wheel and resist the urge to swerve or attempt to avoid the suspect vehicle once it has begun to rotate.

Once the rear of the suspect vehicle has been moved past 25-30 degrees from the original path of travel, the rotation is irreversible.  The suspect vehicle will continue to rotate regardless of any action taken by its driver, including counter steering, braking, or accelerating.

The natural momentum of the suspect vehicle should carry it out of the path of travel of the patrol vehicle.  However, as the suspect vehicle rotates in front of the patrol vehicle, there may be a secondary contact between the front of the patrol vehicle and the side of the suspect vehicle.  This contact is usually minor and should not cause a loss of control of the patrol vehicle.

As the suspect vehicle rotates, the deputy should gently accelerate out of its path and avoid stopping in a potential crossfire situation.  The second and third units should approach the suspect vehicle (fig. 10).

 

If the suspect vehicle is not immobilized after the PIT maneuver has been implemented, deputy personnel shall advise the watch commander of this and resume in the pursuit.  The watch commander shall ensure all PIT conditions exist prior to attempting additional PIT maneuvers.       

Vehicle Damage vs. Traffic Collisions

The greatest likelihood of damage to the patrol vehicle, or injury to the deputy, is from loss of control of the patrol vehicle after the maneuver is executed.  When the technique is properly executed, damage to the vehicles should be minimal, but reportable.  If the PIT is employed and damage occurs to only the patrol vehicle or the suspect vehicle, it is not considered a traffic collision.  Any damage will be documented by the supervisor as a vehicle incident and the Report of Vehicle Accident or Incident (SH-AD 665) and Supervisor’s Report of Incident or Damage to County Vehicle or Permittee’s Vehicle (SH-AD 257) shall be completed.  If a third party is struck in the process, this is considered a collision. If any unintended collision occurs between any vehicle and any other object or person, traffic collision reporting procedures shall apply.

If serious bodily injury or death occurs as a result of a PIT, contact Traffic Services Detail for guidance. 

Deputies driving patrol vehicles equipped with supplemental restraint system airbags should be aware of the airbag system and its operation.  The effects of an airbag deployment may cause friction burns, respiratory irritation and visual impairment.  This may impair the driver’s ability to control the patrol vehicle.  After an airbag deployment, the deputy should not continue to drive the vehicle other than to proceed to a safe stop. The vehicle shall be towed to a repair facility due to the expended airbag being attached to the steering wheel.

Reporting

Personnel who utilized the PIT shall document their actions on an Incident Report

(SH-R-49) or Supplemental Report (SH-R-77).  The following information shall be included:

  • Rationale for the utilization of the PIT;
  • The watch commander authorizing the PIT;
  • The approximate speed of both the primary pursuit vehicle and suspect’s vehicle at time the PIT was employed;
  • Location and rationale of site selection where the PIT was employed (including the direction of travel);
  • Location where the termination of the pursuit occurred;
  • Number of PIT attempts;
  • Injuries to suspects, bystanders, other motorists, or deputy personnel;
  • Any damage as a result of the PIT (to property or vehicles); and
  • All information relevant to the incident.

The watch commander, having overall command of the pursuit, shall ensure all documentation by involved personnel is completed and submitted.  The watch commander shall also ensure the Pursuit Evaluation Form (SH-R-454) is completed and submitted to the unit commander for review.  In addition, the watch commander shall submit a memorandum to the unit commander detailing the use of the PIT to determine whether it was utilized within Department policy.  The following information shall be included in the memorandum:

  • Rationale for the utilization of the PIT;
  • Name(s) of the trained and certified deputy personnel that utilized the PIT;
  • List of other reasonable means of apprehension, pursuit termination techniques or devices (i.e. tire deflation devices, etc.) that were utilized, attempted, or considered;
  • Location/site selection of PIT employment;
  • Number of PIT attempts;
  • Injuries to suspects, bystanders, other motorists, or deputy personnel;
  • Any damage as a result of the PIT (to property or vehicles); and
  • All information relevant to the incident.

Training and Certification

Sworn patrol personnel are required to complete PIT maneuver training through a POST approved Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) in order to employ the PIT in a pursuit.  Sworn patrol personnel not trained and certified shall not employ the PIT maneuver.  Watch commanders can refer to the in-service roster code of “P-PIT trained” for personnel who are designated PIT trained and certified.

If you have any questions regarding the information contained in this Field Operations Directive, please contact Field Operations Support Services, at (323) 890-5411 or foss@lasd.org.