24-067 Tire Deflation Devices (TDDs)

It is the policy of the San Francisco Police Department that officers who have been trained in the use of a Tire Deflation Device (TDD) be permitted to deploy those devices reasonably and safely when appropriate. Extreme care needs to be exercised when deploying a TDD to reduce the possibility of injury or serious damage to involved vehicles and officers.

TIRE DEFLATION DEVICES (TDD) – TDD use a variety of mechanical methods to defeat the integrity of vehicle tires to release the air pressure in a predictable, controlled manner.

PURPOSE- TDD are de-escalation tools and are intended as a defensive vehicle intervention tactic, deployed with the intent to afford time and distance by safely slowing a vehicle, thus reducing risk to the public, vehicle occupants, and officers. Tire deflation devices may be used proactively to prevent flight or assault, or reactively to intervene with a fleeing, reckless, or assaultive vehicles as set forth in DGO 5.05 and DGO 5.01.

COMMANDING OFFICER RESPONSIBILITY

Commanding Officers are responsible for ensuring the following:

• Members of their command are trained and able to deploy a TDD in accordance with department policy.
• Training Sergeants conduct annual practical training for members of their command in the use of a TDD.
• The Vehicle Maintenance Officer (VMO) keeps TDD devices that are under the unit's control in good working order.

MEMBER RESPONSIBILITY

Members are responsible for ensuring the following:

• Officers deploying a TDD shall comply with General Order 5.01, General Order 5.05 and all Department Policies and Procedures concerning TDD’s, pursuits and "Code 3" driving.
• Officers may only deploy Department issued TDD’s.
• Officers may only deploy a TDD after they have completed department approved training on that specific type of TDD.
• The designated pursuit supervisor or higher-ranking member may authorize units equipped with a TDD to respond to potential deployment areas for deployment.
• When authorized, officers trained in the use of a TDD shall drive “Code 1” to deploy the TDD where/when reasonable. Based on the circumstances, the supervisor may upgrade the response of the unit or units equipped with a TTD to Code 3” response in accordance with 21055 CVC.

• If an outside Law Enforcement agency pursues within the City, all provisions of DGO 5.05 related to assuming or joining a pursuit apply. Regardless of if the outside agency maintains control of the pursuit or requests that the SFPD assumes control of it, the field supervisor may authorize the deployment of a TDD. This should be done as a coordinated effort by notifying the pursuing agency in advance.

  Exception: If there will be a significant delay in notifying the pursuing agency and continued movement of the pursued vehicle would result in an unusual hazard to others, the supervisor may authorize deployment of a TDD.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

1. Pursuits with deployment and intentional contact

• If the TDD was deployed during a pursuit initiated by SFPD, then the primary unit shall complete an SFPD Incident Report and CHP 187a Pursuit Summary Report. Information on that form should include all the units involved and whether the TDD was successful.
• In instances where the primary unit was an outside agency and an SFPD Member deployed a TDD, the on-scene SFPD Supervisor shall request that the outside agency include the use of the TDD in their incident report and in their completion of the CHP 187a form. Additionally, members shall adhere to all SFPD reporting policies including the completion of an SFPD incident report and use of force evaluation.
• The member deploying the TDD shall write a statement for the incident report if not the primary reporting officer.
• If successful deployment with intentional contact on the intended vehicle occurs, members shall notify their Supervisor of the reportable Use of Force, who then shall comply with the evaluation and reporting requirements of DGO 5.01. (Only a Use of Force if the vehicle runs over the TDD)

2. Non-Pursued Vehicles with deployment and intentional contact

• Members shall document the deployment in an Incident Report.
• If successful deployment with intentional contact on the intended vehicle occurs, members shall notify their Supervisor of the Use of Force, who then shall comply with the evaluation and reporting requirements of DGO 5.01

3. Successful Deployment and Unintentional Contact

• TDD contact with and/or damage to an unintended vehicle does not constitute a use of force and shall be documented according to Department procedures for damage to private property (See Below).

4. Deployment and No Vehicle Contact

• If a member deploys a TDD and no vehicles are damaged or run over by the TDD, that is not a reportable Use of Force.

All successful deployments of a TDD shall be documented in an Incident Report. A copy of the Incident Report SHALL be emailed to the EVOC Unit ([email protected]) who will conduct a training assessment of the deployment, identify any future training needs, and complete the required notification to the appropriate manufacturer for reporting purposes. A CHP 187a Allied Agency Pursuit Report form is also required for all pursuits.

Such reporting SHALL include in the narrative:

• Specific location of the deployment.
• Identity of the officers and unit identifiers that deployed the TDD.
• Reason for the TDD deployment (i.e., pursuit, stationary vehicle, moving vehicle, preemptive deployment).
• Outcome of the TDD deployment; successful?
• Injury and/or damage caused by the TDD’s deployment.
• Identification of all vehicles damaged by the TDD.
• Specific type of TDD used (Stinger Spike Strip, Stop Stick, Mini Spike etc.)

POST-DEPLOYMENT INSPECTION AND TDD REPAIR

• In cases where the TDD was deployed but not run over by a vehicle, the TDD shall be inspected by the deploying member for any damage. If damage is found, members shall then notify their station VMO, who will contact the EVOC Staff for further repair.
• After any TDD deployment, where any vehicle has run over the TDD, the station VMO shall provide the TDD to EVOC Staff for inspection and repair.

DAMAGE OR INJURY TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THEIR VEHICLES

When damage or injury is caused to unintended members of the public and/or their vehicles by deployment of a TDD, (usually deflated tires), deploying officers shall notify their Supervisor to respond to the scene. The Supervisor or their designee is responsible for ensuring that:

• Photos are taken of the damage or injury.
• The member of the public is given a case number.
• Inform the member of the public to contact the City Attorney Office of San Francisco at (415) 554-3800, Monday-Friday 0800-1700 hrs. or to go to their website: Claims - City Attorney of San Francisco to obtain a claim form.
• Ensure the safety of the member of the public while they wait for a tow.
• Ensure the member of the public has transportation to their destination.
• A department memorandum is prepared reporting the injury or damage with any supporting documents and/or evidence.

TDD TRAINING

The EVOC Unit will be responsible for the initial training of all sworn members. The initial training will be held at Pier 96 (EVOC). Station/Unit Training Sergeants shall conduct annual practical training for their members. This annual training will coincide with the annual pursuit policy training. Training Sergeants will be given annual training materials from the EVOC Unit. For those units that do not have Training Sergeants, EVOC will hold practical training sessions during this same time as needed.

/s/
WILLIAM SCOTT 
Chief of Police

Per DN 23-152, all sworn & non-sworn members shall electronically acknowledge this Department document in PowerDMS within (30) thirty calendar days of issuance. Members whose duties are relevant to this document shall be held responsible for compliance. Any questions regarding this policy should be sent to [email protected] who will provide additional information.