We lost two more officers killed while deploying spike strips during the past few weeks. This makes a total of four officers this year who have been killed while trying to deploy tire deflation devices in a vehicular pursuit.
Spike strips, also known by the brand name Stop Sticks, are deployed by an officer standing on the side of a road in an attempt to deflate the tires of a fleeing suspect. The problem is the deploying officer is standing in front of a fleeing felon in a speeding car. Even if the suspect doesn’t purposely try to hit the deploying officer, the officer is still in danger should the car veer out of control while trying to avoid the strip.
As a guy who has been struck by a fleeing felon, I can speak from first hand experience that getting hit by a car is neither fun nor desirable.
Nothing we do in police work is 100% safe. But, I wonder if we are needlessly losing officers trying to utilize an unsafe technology. No doubt, spike strips can help end a pursuit, but at what cost?
I am not suggesting we never chase anyone, or that we do away with the use of tire deflation devices, but I do believe there can be better ways of safely ending a pursuit. The StarChase pursuit management system that Randall detailed in the September newsletter is but one example of an alternative to spike strips that can be deployed in a much safer manner.
Take a look at the previous spike strip safety tips I wrote in July, and if you have more to add, please do so in the comments section.
Also, don’t let the thrill of the chase override your common sense when it comes to vehicle pursuits. When the pursuit starts ask yourself if the pursuit is worth putting one of your brother or sister officers in danger when they try to deploy a spike strip. If it is not worth putting them in danger, shut it down and catch them another day.
Officers killed while deploying spike strips in 2011:
lcicenine says
It’s time to end the stupid practice of police chases. In addition to the dead cops what about the thousands of innocent people killed and injured each year.
Aaron says
There is no doubt that police chases are dangerous. BlueSheepDog agrees that police chases, and the use of tire deflation devices, should only be engaged when the most severe crimes are committed. Dangerous felonies should still be pursued, and stopped with tire deflation devices if needed. Pursuing lesser crimes is just too risky to the public and officers.
This decision has to be supported at the highest levels of government. Recently we had a city councilwoman’s husband’s truck get stolen. They were close by when it happened and started following the stolen truck while calling 911. An officer attempted to stop the truck, but the felon fled at a high rate of speed. Per our policy (non-violent felony) the officer disregarded. The councilwoman stopped and screamed at the officer that he was letting the thief get away – yep!
As to your comment about thousands of innocent civilians being killed and injured in police pursuits each year, that is a bit misleading. A more accurate statement would be that there have been over 5000 innocents killed in police pursuits from 1979-2013, or around 150 per year (NHTSA stats). The overall death rate is higher, but 55% of fatalities are the person who is fleeing the police. In addition, 139 police officers have been killed.
Interestingly, 25% of pursuits occur in the 6 most populated States, and some of the highest fatality and injury rates happen in some of the largest cities. Regardless, you are right that American law enforcement should take a serious look at what we are chasing and why. High speed pursuits should be limited to serious, violent felonies.