Tire Deflation Devices PDF Boca Raton Police Department

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 41.51 TIRE DEFLATION DEVICES 14.05 Revised: October 19, 2023 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to establish guidelines regarding the deployment of tire deflation devices by law enforcement officers....

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 41.51 TIRE DEFLATION DEVICES 14.05 Revised: October 19, 2023 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to establish guidelines regarding the deployment of tire deflation devices by law enforcement officers. II. DEFINITIONS: Reasonable Suspicion: A suspicion that has some factual foundation in the circumstances observed by an individual when those circumstances are interpreted in light of the individual’s knowledge and experience. Tire Deflation Device: A device used to terminate or reduce the speed of a vehicle pursuit. The embedded spikes cause a controlled deflation of the tires that allows the driver to maintain control of the vehicle at a reduced speed until the vehicle is rendered inoperable. III. PROCEDURE: A. USE OF TIRE DEFLATION DEVICES: 1. Tire deflation devices may be used on vehicles when the LEO has reasonable suspicion to believe that a fleeing suspect has committed or attempted to commit a forcible felony as defined by Florida statute. 2. A tire deflation device shall be deployed only with the approval of a supervisor unless the circumstances are so exigent that supervisor approval is not practical. 3. Only LEOs, who have been trained in the use and deployment, under the proper circumstances, may utilize and be issued tire deflation devices. 4. The tire deflation device may be used in stationary situations to prevent a suspect from fleeing a scene. These situations may include, but are not limited to, the following: a. Effective: September 8, 2020 Revised: October 19, 2023 Execution of search warrants Tire Deflation Devices SOP No. 41.51 Page 1 of 4 b. Emergency/special tactical situations; (e.g., SWAT callouts, hostage situations, etc.) c. B. To prevent the movement of a vehicle that is, or shall be, evidence. DEPLOYMENT GUIDELINES: 1. The supervisor must consider all available information and authorize the use of a tire deflation device only when, in his/her opinion, it is necessary to render a vehicle inoperable. 2. The deploying LEO must advise by radio that the tire deflation device will be used, where it will be used, and any LEO controlled lane restrictions established. 3. Situations when the tire deflation device should not be used include, but are not limited to, the following: a. To terminate pursuits involving motorcycles, mopeds, ATVs, or other similar and two-wheel vehicles. b. On any vehicle that is transporting flammable or hazardous materials. c. On roadways bound by steep descending embankments or waterways. d. In areas of special events or activities, including a school zone. e. On curves or locations where the safety of oncoming traffic cannot be ensured, such as blind hills and curves. f. C. In construction zones. LEO SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: 1. LEOs must use discretion in the proper positioning of the police vehicle to ensure his/her safety. 2. Whenever possible, LEOs should place his/her department vehicles out of sight of the approaching suspect vehicle to reduce the chance of the suspect avoiding the tire deflation device. 3. Positioning of department vehicle(s) must allow for a lane of traffic to remain open, across which the tire deflation device may be deployed. 4. The LEO shall make every effort to be outside his/her police vehicle when deploying the tire deflation device. Effective: September 8, 2020 Revised: October 19, 2023 Tire Deflation Devices SOP No. 41.51 Page 2 of 4 5. After preparing the tire deflation device for deployment, the LEO must take a safe cover position away from the point of contact between the suspect vehicle and the tire deflation device. 6. LEOs should consider positioning themselves behind a fixed object other than a department vehicle. Remember that LEO safety is a priority. 7. LEOs should ensure they have adequate time to properly setup and implement the safety considerations. 8. An LEO responsible for deploying the tire deflation device may terminate its use at his/her discretion if the LEO believes that the tire deflation devices cannot be safely deployed. D. POST-DEPLOYMENT PROCESS: 1. If tire deflation device(s) are used, a supervisor shall inspect all involved vehicles and document any damage. 2. In cases when uninvolved civilian vehicles accidentally run over a deployed tire deflation device, the investigation shall be handled in an expeditious manner, and shall be documented in the supervisor’s report. 3. A copy of the report shall be forwarded to Risk Management, via the chain of command, for reimbursement by the City where appropriate. 4. The handling of any civilian vehicles that are disabled shall be a priority once the scene is safely secured. E. CARE AND MAINTENANCE: 1. The tire deflation device strips shall be maintained inside the provided sleeve and secured within the vehicle as designed. 2. Any tire deflation devices that are damaged shall be brought to the attention of the assigned LEO’s supervisor and repaired or replaced as soon as possible. 3. Tire deflation device spike strips are not waterproof and must be wiped dry before they are returned to their storage sleeve. F. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS: 1. An LEO who utilizes a tire deflation device shall complete an Incident Report documenting in detail the events leading up to and throughout the incident. 14.05 2. The supervisor monitoring the incident shall, complete an administrative review of the deployment utilizing the Pursuit Driving Critique Form. 14.05 Effective: September 8, 2020 Revised: October 19, 2023 Tire Deflation Devices SOP No. 41.51 Page 3 of 4 3. The supervisor shall obtain copies of all available material (e.g., video and audio recordings, written reports, etc.) and then review the deployment for the purpose of determining if the deployment was within policy guidelines, and shall forward the results, via chain of command, to the chief of police within 14 days. 4. The Professional Standards Bureau commander or his/her designee shall be responsible for conducting a documented annual analysis of all tire deflation device deployments for the previous year to identify the need for additional training and to review the policy for necessary revisions or modifications. Effective: September 8, 2020 Revised: October 19, 2023 Tire Deflation Devices SOP No. 41.51 Page 4 of 4