The Deadly Deployment of Spike Strips: A Law Enforcement Agency's Responsibility

On average, an officer a year is killed while deploying spike strips to end a vehicle pursuit. A trooper in Louisiana was killed last week and two other officers have died this year deploying this tool designed to safely bring an end to a dangerous driver's activity. 

Spike strips can be a valuable tool, and like most every other activity in law enforcement, there is an inherent risk when using them that must be balanced against the benefit of their deployment. There are a few basic considerations every supervisor should explore if your department possesses this tool.

Has the department ever discussed the dangers associated with the deployment of the spike strips with personnel?

Quite often, the inherent dangers of certain “protective” equipment can be underappreciated. A sidearm is clearly a primary piece of protective equipment, but most departments underscore the danger of that same equipment, which is why weapon retention is (or should be) regularly trained. It is why agencies have range safety officers even when shooting in the most controlled training settings.

Similarly, spike strips are protective equipment, theoretically designed to safely halt dangerous vehicle operations, but they can also be extremely dangerous. Officers should be aware of this fact and not naively believe that are tool as simple as “retrieve from trunk, deploy and end chase safely.”

How often do you train with the equipment?

If the first time an officer deploys a set of spike strips is during an actual pursuit, there has been a supervisory failure. The use of this tool is too dangerous and too important not to develop a proficiency in using. The ease at which it can be physically deployed must become so commonplace with the officer to reduce the tunnel vision associated with the using it. If an officer is overly fixated on mechanics of deployment, it will be at the detriment of their awareness to other important factors, including potential areas for protective cover, additional assailants, other motor vehicle traffic, responding emergency vehicles (who may also be experiencing tunnel vision) and of course, the suspect.

Spike strips are designed to be simple to use, so a little training can produce proficiency rather rapidly. Regular training will ensure the proficiency is maintained. Spike strips should not an item that officers who may potential deploy them only train with when they receive them, or worse yet, only read the instructions or watch a video on how to use them.

Training should not only focus on the deployment technique, but the decision-making process of where to set up for a deployment. Examining areas that provide more stable cover for the deploying officer and safety for the general motoring public should be explored.

For officers in actual pursuit (and not deploying the spike strips), how are they trained to approach an area where spike strips have been deployed?

It is conceivable that not every officer in the department will be trained or equipped to deploy spike strips, but every officer has the potential of being involved in a pursuit (detectives, supervisors and even the top brass). Are all officers aware how an officer deploying spike strips is going to be exposed? Are they aware that the deploying officer may have to expose themselves from behind cover once a suspect vehicle crosses the device? Are they aware of the effect of the spike strips on the suspect (or their own) vehicle? Training should not be limited to only the officers who will deploying the spike strips; it should involve every officer who may be involved in a pursuit. 

Does your agency use spike strips when other agencies are involved in the pursuit?

Considerations should be discussed for how to (or, if to) deploy spike strips for pursuits in which agencies other than your own are involved. All your department’s protocols and proficiency can be negated by one officer from another agency in the middle of your pursuit who may be untrained or differently trained in spike strip deployment.   

On the heels of National Police Week and for the sake of all the officers who have given their lives in the deployment of spike strips, please make a valiant effort to ensure your agency has a comprehensive policy and engages in the appropriate training on how to maximize spike strips effectiveness and minimize the risks to your employees. 

Roll Call since 2000 in spike strip-related deaths of law enforcement officers:

George Baker, Louisiana State Police, May 24, 2020

John Andrew Rhoden. Bell County (TX) Sheriff, April 26, 2020

Kaia LaFay Grant, Springdale (OH) Police, March 21, 2020

Eric Brian Overall, Oakland County (MI) Sheriff, November 23, 2017

Donald Heath Meyer, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, July 24, 2017

Cody James Brotherson, West Valley City (UT) Police, November 6, 2016

Taylor Joseph Thyfault, Colorado State Patrol, May 23, 2015

Richard Martin, Houston (TX) Police, May 18, 2015

Joseph James Dunn, Cascade County (MT) Sheriff, August 14, 2014

Bobby Gene Demuth, Jr., North Carolina Highway Patrol, September 8, 2012

Trevor Parker Slot, Walker (MI) Police, October 13, 2011

John Wayne Haddock, Grenada (MS) Police, October 7, 2011

Evan Donald Burns, Caruthersville (MO) Police, August 16, 2011

Bryan Mitchell Hebert, Beaumont (TX) Police, July 8, 2011

Brian Scott Dulle, Warren County (OH) Sheriff, May 10, 2011

Stuart Jay Alexander, Corpus Christi (TX) Police, March 11, 2009

Douglas Scott Russell, California Highway Patrol, July 31, 2007

Shawn Barrington Silvera, Lino Lakes (MN) Police, September 6, 2005

Clinton Warren Hunter, Austin (TX) Police, November 29, 2001

Lloyd R. Aragon, New Mexico State Police, August 1, 2001