Sheriff’s deputies practice annual training in how to end car chases

ARLINGTON — A gentle nudge can cause a dizzying spin.

At 25 mph, the force of it almost passes for a parking mishap, a brief shudder in the car on contact. And that’s just the practice bump.

At 45 mph, it’s a full, stomach-churning spin-out with squealing tires and flying mud.

Every year, Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies must undergo refresher training on the PIT maneuver, also known as a pursuit intervention technique. It involves a targeted tap from a patrol car to the back bumper of a fleeing vehicle, designed to make the other driver lose control.

Pursuits are one of the most dangerous, high-risk and high-liability operations in police work. Police departments around the county have adopted stricter pursuit policies after fatal crashes and expensive lawsuits, including the cities of Everett and Bothell.

The sheriff’s office is reviewing all of its policies related to driving, spokeswoman Shari Ireton said.

A PIT maneuver is meant to stop a pursuit as soon as possible, with minimal injuries and property damage, said Sgt. Vince Linnell. Officers also can call off a pursuit for safety reasons, or have others deploy spike strips.

Linnell has run training on emergency driving operations for the sheriff’s office since 1994, and PIT maneuvers since 1998. He’s used PIT on seven drivers in his career, he said. Many longtime deputies have done more than that, though the maneuver is less common today than in past decades, he said.

“It’s all physics,” he said. “Everything rotates around the center of gravity.”

During a chase, deputies are allowed to use a PIT maneuver at their discretion up to 40 mph. Beyond that, they need a supervisor’s approval.

For practice Friday at the Arlington Municipal Airport, they used old patrol cars outfitted with steel bumper-covers. The tarmac was watered down to minimize the wear-and-tear on tires.

“It’s not violent if it’s done right,” Linnell said. “The goal is to put them, hopefully, in a ditch back-end first so they can’t get out.”

When it comes to the bump, there’s “about a foot of sweet spot you’re trying to hit,” he said. Gravity takes over once the fleeing car is moved about 20 degrees off path.

“In neither car do you feel a lot of trauma,” he said — if the technique is correct.

The training runs counter to a driver’s natural instinct to avoid a car crash at all costs, deputy Daryl Hansmann said. The faster the speeds, the deeper the spin, he said.

Deputy Judith Saarinen played the part of the would-be getaway driver. It was old hat for her, doing the runs over and over, but she advises her passengers not to jump in right after lunch. Everyone wears helmets and heavy-duty seat belts.

Part of the trouble is guessing where the impact will send the other vehicle, Linnell said. They can’t PIT someone off a bridge or into pedestrians. They also don’t want to end up with their back to a suspect.

“It’s all part of the training, and the real world,” he said.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.