Broward Sheriff's Office Vehicle Immobilization Tactic (VIT) Procedures PDF

BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES 9.5 VEHICLE IMMOBILIZATION TACTIC (VIT) A. A VIT is a tactic that is employed to block-in and immobilize a vehicle that is s...

BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES 9.5 VEHICLE IMMOBILIZATION TACTIC (VIT) A. A VIT is a tactic that is employed to block-in and immobilize a vehicle that is stopped, moving slowly, or beginning to move. This tactic is dynamic and dependent upon the actions of the suspect vehicle/driver. B. The VIT may only be employed by deputies trained in the use of the tactic, and who are assigned to a unit which attends quarterly SID Training. C. When possible, the employment of the VIT should be pre-planned and discussed in an operational briefing. D. The decision to employ the VIT rests solely with the deputy (or deputies) performing the VIT. E. A VIT may only be employed in the arrest of felons. F. A minimum of two law enforcement vehicles must be available to initiate a VIT unless a natural barrier exists in front or behind the vehicle; therefore only requiring one vehicle. G. All attempts should be made to block the suspect vehicle from the front and back, with bumper to bumper contact. H. The VIT can never be employed on motorcycles. I. The VIT should only be employed on stationary vehicles. J. If a vehicle begins to move before the VIT is employed and the VIT is not aborted, a written explanation will be required on the Supervisor Vehicle Immobilization Tactic Review (BSO RP#159). K. A VIT may be employed on a moving vehicle in order to take a person into custody who has committed a forcible felony as defined in SPM 7.8.2 E. In this situation factors that should be considered to substantiate objective reasonableness in performing this tactic include: 1. The severity of the crime (must be forcible felony as defined in Chapter 7.8.2 E in the Sheriff’s Policy Manual) 2. Whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of deputies or others Reviewed: 08/12/2016 Revised: 08/26/2016 Rescinds: 09/17/2015 Effective: 09/09/2016 9.5 Page 1 of 4  BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES 3. Whether the suspect was actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight L. Emergency lights will be activated during a VIT. M. When using the VIT, deputies must consider the following information: 1. Location where the VIT is to be employed. In selecting a location to execute the VIT, deputies should consider: (a) Proximity to innocent bystanders (b) Proximity to other vehicles 2. Other factors to consider: (a) Speed of both the deputy’s vehicle and suspect vehicle (b) Number of subjects/occupants (c) Subject’s criminal history (d) Nature of offense (e) Type of weapons (f) Type of vehicle (g) Environmental factors (physical terrain, weather conditions, etc.) N. Every time a VIT is employed, the following documentation will be completed / obtained, and forwarded through the unit’s chain of command: 1. Supervisor Vehicle Immobilization Tactic Review (BSO RP#159) 2. Supervisor Use of Force Review is only required in instances where contact is made between deputy’s vehicle and suspect vehicle (BSO RP#16) 3. Photographs of both the suspect and deputy’s vehicle 4. Event report for incident requiring the VIT Reviewed: 08/12/2016 Revised: 08/26/2016 Rescinds: 09/17/2015 Effective: 09/09/2016 9.5 Page 2 of 4  BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES O. If damage occurs to either the deputy’s vehicle or the suspect vehicle, an Incident Damage Report (BSO RP#68) will be completed and included along with all of the documentation listed in Section N. Please note that this policy should not be construed to limit any tactics deemed necessary by the BSO SWAT Team. Reviewed: 08/12/2016 Revised: 08/26/2016 Rescinds: 09/17/2015 Effective: 09/09/2016 9.5 Page 3 of 4  BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK NOTICE These Standard Operating Procedures are considered law enforcement sensitive and contains certain information that is exempt under Florida Public Records Law. Outside or public requests for information from these Standard Operating Procedures must be directed to the Office of the Inspector General for review and redaction, if necessary, prior to disclosure. Reviewed: 08/12/2016 Revised: 08/26/2016 Rescinds: 09/17/2015 Effective: 09/09/2016 9.5 Page 4 of 4