PIT Manuever

[no_tech]

Has anyone here gotten to do this ? Has anyones grill guard ever gotten stuck on someones rear bumper following a PIT ?

It always amazes me how STUPID one can be to even think of running away. You hear the "I was scared" BS reply most of the time.

What kind of traffic laws that get broken do you all feel should be felonies instead of misdemeanors ?

Racing ?

[scott715us]

My agency does not allow PIT maneuvers.

I would not recommend certain traffic laws be felonies, just higher fines. The other stiffer penalties do not necessarily deter the offenders.

Evading in a motor vehicle is a felony already in TN.

[BP348]

My agency does not allow PIT maneuvers.

+1

My agency doesn't allow the PIT maneuver either.

[resqr1]

PIT's are allowed here only as a deadly force option.

[Kimble]

My agency does not allow PIT maneuvers.

PIT's are allowed here only as a deadly force option.

Same here, too. It may be different in CA, where most of the videos I've seen showing this maneuver seem to come from.

[Ironhead]

Has anyone here gotten to do this ?

I haven't had the pleasure.

Has anyones grill guard ever gotten stuck on someones rear bumper following a PIT ?

The initials PIT stand for any one of a number of things (Precision Immobilization Technique, Pursuit Intervention Technique, even Parallel Immobilization Technique)

Wikipedia has a pretty detailed summary, so I feel that I am not giving away any secrets by telling you that the front of the patrol vehicle (bumper or grill guard) should never come into contact with the rear bumper of the suspect vehicle.

The patrol car uses its right or left front quarter panel against the opposite rear quater panel of the suspect and then immeditely applies the brakes to back away from the suspect as he spins out.

Sometimes you will see video of a police car that rams the rear end of a suspect with his patrol car and the suspect spins out - while this can be effective, it is not technically the PIT maneuver.

What kind of traffic laws that get broken do you all feel should be felonies instead of misdemeanors ? Racing ?

I don't think racing should be a felony. I think that mesdemeanors with appropriate sentances are fine for most traffic infractions.

[mcsap]

If an officer is not OFFICIALLY trained to use the PIT and does one anyway...bad things can happen legally. We must be properly trained to use ANY kind of force. ASP , mace, baton, Taser etc.

I have seen a PIT done many times on TV but unless it is a life or death scenario , I won't even try it.

Fleeing the police used to be only a traffic ticket when I was first hired. It has grown to a MIsd 2nd and now under certain circumstances is a Felony.

The most serious traffic offenses already carry stiff fines and the possibility of jail time.

[Ispbear]

The patrol car uses its right or left front quarter panel against the opposite rear quater panel of the suspect and then immeditely applies the brakes to back away from the suspect as he spins out.

Close, but not quite right.

Once your front quarter panel is against the suspect rear quarter panel, usually looking for about 2ft worth of contact, you gently make contact and then accelerate while turning into the suspects vehicle sharply. If you don't accelerate and turn sharply you will have a secondary and unwanted contact with the vehicle. We do receive regular training on this in specially outfitted cruisers with the chance to drive both the PIT car and the Suspect car.
We use the PIT maneuver often. Our view is that during a pursuit, the PIT is less likely to cause harm to the suspect than the chance of letting the suspect continue his behavior and cause harm to innocent person.
We also have a fairly relaxed pursuit policy. Basically if they run, we can chase.

[Ironhead]

Close, but not quite right.

Once your front quarter panel is against the suspect rear quarter panel, usually looking for about 2ft worth of contact, you gently make contact and then accelerate while turning into the suspects vehicle sharply. If you don't accelerate and turn sharply you will have a secondary and unwanted contact with the vehicle. We do receive regular training on this in specially outfitted cruisers with the chance to drive both the PIT car and the Suspect car.
We use the PIT maneuver often. Our view is that during a pursuit, the PIT is less likely to cause harm to the suspect than the chance of letting the suspect continue his behavior and cause harm to innocent person.
We also have a fairly relaxed pursuit policy. Basically if they run, we can chase.

Right - but my point really was that a proper PIT is not ramming the rear of the suspect with the front of the cruiser. ;)

[Lawson]

Our agency allows the PIT, but only if you have a vehicle that is outfitted with a "PIT-bar" and once you have been properly trained. I think it becomes deadly force for us at 40mph or more. I'd have to re-read the PIT policy.

[acreature]

Few times. No grill guard. It's a hoot!

[stewie]

I'm PIT certified....did it about a dozen times in the academy but not on the street yet. Here it is NOT considered a Deadly Force option and it shouldn't be. When utilized properly it's a great tool and I think all departments should use it.

[Lawson]

Does anybody elses policy consider "Roadblocks" deadly force?

[Legoate]

I've done it quite a few times. If your 'grill guard' gets damaged, you are doing it wrong.

Fun stuff.

[Badgerboy]

Yes. I also teach it.

I do not discuss tactics or procedures in an open forum... but If things get stuck you are doing it wrong.