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Police Driving: Safety Behind the Wheel with Capt. Travis Yates

Tire deflation device safety tips

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By Capt.Travis Yates

This "blind corner" is an example of an officer able to get concealment (to the left) and throw the spikes into the road.

Officers should take great caution when utilizing any tire deflation device:

• Location:  The location where the devices are used is very important.  Officers should strive for both concealment and cover from the suspect vehicle.  When both cannot be achieved, cover should be used.  An officer's car is not adequate for this.  Deployment near a bridge abutment or a large fixed object is ideal.

• Deployment
The deployment should never be rushed.  Speeds, especially at night, are very deceiving.  If an officer can see the suspect approaching, they must assume the suspect can see them.  Officers should plan and sometimes guess the route of the suspect and deploy at a fixed location.  This should be done long before the suspect is approaching.

• Distance

The above scene is an ideal location for deployment. Note the guardrail and bridge abutment.

This balancing act will remain difficult for each agency and officer.  Officer Russell and his family have made the ultimate sacrifice for each of us and this country.  Please pray for them and for each officer as they conduct their duties.

Additional Information:

2 Tenn. officers die deploying tire deflation devices
Ark. trooper struck by another trooper deploying tire deflation devices