99-03 DEPLOYMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF SPIKE STRIPS

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COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT

"A Tradition of Service"

OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE

DATE: April 30, 2006

FILE NO.

FROM:            TODD S. ROGERS, CAPTAIN                      TO: ALL PERSONNEL

CARSON STATION                                              CARSON STATION

SUBJECT:      CARSON STATION MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVE 99-03

                        DEPLOYMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF SPIKE STRIPS

Purpose of Directive:

This Directive establishes Carson Station's policy and procedures regarding the deployment, maintenance and supervision of spike strips.

This Directive is in addition to Field Operations Directive (FOD) 98-10. Both Directives should be referred to when briefed.

Scope of Directive:

This Directive applies to all personnel assigned to Carson Station.

Directive:

Deployment

Carson Station personnel shall not deploy spike strips without specific authorization from the Watch Commander or the Incident Commander if the situation does not involve a vehicle pursuit.

Patrol Units equipped with spike strips may be requested to respond to a location ahead of a vehicle pursuit to deploy a spike strip. All Code-3 responses for positioning of a spike strip shall be announced, via radio, with the unit advising the location from which the response is initiated and shall be authorized by the Watch Commander or the Field Supervisor if the Watch Commander is not immediately available. Spike strip equipped units must remember that they are considered "assisting units" and the provisions of Department Manual of Policy and Procedures Section 5-09/210.10, Control of a Pursuit, apply.

Deputies driving units equipped with a spike strip shall not pass other units actively engaged in a pursuit to get ahead of the suspect vehicle unless done with the coordination and cooperation of the pursuing units.

MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVE 99-03 (Revised)                           April 30 2006

SPIKE STRIPS

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Unless actively involved in the vehicle pursuit, the Field Sergeant shall expeditiously respond to the location where the spike strip is to be

deployed and closely supervise the deployment and use of the strip.

The deployment of spike strips for pursuits initiated by other Sheriff's stations or other law enforcement agencies that enter our station's boundaries, shall be in accordance with Field Operations Directive 98-10 and only with the specific approval of the Carson Station Watch Commander or the Field Supervisor if the Watch Commander is not readily available.

If a pursuit is canceled after the physical deployment of the spike strips, deputies may continue to spike the suspect vehicle unless otherwise directed by the Watch Commander. Spike strips shall not be physically deployed ahead of a fleeing vehicle following the announced cancellation of a pursuit.

Post Deployment Procedures

The Field Sergeant shall conduct a post pursuit debriefing and discuss the deployment of the spike strip with involved personnel. The Watch Commander shall ensure that the deployment of a spike strip is indicated in the Department's Pursuit Evaluation Form!' (PEF).

Deputies who deploy spike strips shall conduct a complete inspection of the strip prior to its storage in the trunk of the radio car. If a vehicle was spiked, the missing spikes from the strip shall be immediately replaced.

The Training Staff shall conduct periodic training to ensure that appropriately trained deputies are fielded.

Maintenance Procedures

Spike strips shall be maintained in the vehicles to which they have been assigned unless the vehicle becomes inoperative. Personnel shall not remove the spike strips from their assigned vehicles otherwise handle the strips except for deployment and to place it into a replacement vehicle if the original assigned vehicle becomes inoperative. With the exception of replacing spikes immediately after use, only designated maintenance personnel shall perform the listed maintenance procedures as outlined in FOD 98-10. Units equipped with spike strips shall be indicated on the shift in-service sheet by the initials "SS." Deputies shall also indicate that they are spike strip equipped when they log in on the vehicle's MDT.

MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVE 99-03 (Revised)                             April 30 2006

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The Traffic Sergeant shall ensure that the required maintenance is performed as prescribed in FOD 98-10. Any questions regarding the use, maintenance or operation of spike strips shall be directed to the station

Traffic Office, which is responsible for overseeing management and inventory of the strips.