Mike Willis, law enforcement national training and program director, United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association, stresses the importance of officer safety while deploying road spike devices. He points out that 48 officers have been killed while deploying tire deflation devices since 1996.
His key points include deploying from safe areas, communicating with other officers, and ensuring the device can be avoided by other units that are involved in the pursuit.
Other insights he offers include:
Ensuring all officers are trained in the proper and safe deployment of tire deflation devices.
Communicating with all responding officers before deploying tire deflation devices to coordinate and prevent damage to their vehicles.
Emphasizing the importance of setting up the devices in locations where the fleeing vehicle has a chance to avoid them, such as at the crest of a bridge.
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