Lakewood Police Department
Policy and Procedure

Effective Date: 04/05/2023
Policy Number: PP-9129 Vehicle Pinning
    A. Policy

    The basic responsibility of the police agents is to protect the public.  Agents will consider the safety of themselves, other Agents, and citizens when conducting vehicle immobilization techniques.  Agents will also take into consideration the nature of the crime and current circumstances they are facing when determining whether or not to engage in the pinning maneuver.  

     Definitions:

    1. Vehicle Immobilization – Tactically preventing stationary vehicles from leaving the scene. 
       
    2. Agent – Agent shall mean any commissioned peace officer, recruit, or sworn employee in the state of Colorado, regardless of specific title, e.g., sheriff, deputy, etc., as defined in C.R.S. 16-2.5-101.
       
    3. Primary Vehicle – Primary Vehicle shall mean the police vehicle driven by the agent initiating the vehicle immobilization.
       
    4. Secondary Vehicle – Secondary Vehicle shall mean the police vehicle that becomes involved in the vehicle immobilization, immediately following the primary vehicle and acting as the primary vehicle’s backup.
       
    5. Pinning – The act of using one, or two, police vehicles to immobilize a suspect vehicle, approaching from the same side of the suspect vehicle and utilizing a fixed barrier on the opposite side of the suspect vehicle to prevent the suspect vehicle from escaping. Vehicle immobilization only occurs at low speeds when the suspect vehicle is stationary.
       
    6. Ramming – The deliberate act of impacting a suspect’s vehicle with another vehicle in an attempt to force the suspect’s vehicle to stop.
       
    7. Supervisor – Supervisor shall mean a commissioned peace officer of the rank of a sergeant or of a higher rank, or, in the absence of a sergeant or higher-ranking officer, the highest-ranking agent.

    B. Procedure

    1. Police agent may only initiate or engage in a vehicle immobilization when they have reasonable suspicion to believe that the suspect, other than by the act of fleeing:

    a. Has committed, has attempted to commit, or is about to commit a felony crime involving violence and/or a weapon and other methods of apprehension seem unlikely.

    b. Has committed, has attempted to commit, or is about to commit a crime and the failure to perform a vehicle immobilization would increase the risk of danger to the public.

    2. Agents shall consider alternative methods of apprehending suspects prior to utilizing vehicle pinning immobilization maneuvers.  The decision to immobilize a vehicle is not irreversible and agents shall continually evaluate whether the risks of danger to Agents and the public resulting from the maneuver are greater than the risk of injury to any person as a result of the escape of the suspect.
       
    3. In determining whether to initiate or continue a vehicle pinning immobilization, police agents and supervisors should consider, in addition to the seriousness of the original crime as described above, the following factors:

    a. Degree of risk created from performing a vehicle immobilization and the degree of risk to the public if the suspect escapes; and balancing these factors with the benefit of apprehending the suspect.

    b. Size, type, and capabilities of vehicle to be immobilized.

    c. Nature of surrounding area such as residential, commercial, hotels, convenience stores, parks, etc.

    d. Construction of fixed barriers incorporated into the immobilization of the vehicle;
    e. Population density and volume of pedestrian traffic.

    f. Environmental factors such as weather and time of day; and

    g. Road conditions such as construction, grade, loose sediment, snow, wet, or icy.

    4. Police Agents intending to immobilize a vehicle should attempt to be in close proximity to the suspect’s vehicle before activating emergency equipment.

    5. When Agents initiate a vehicle pinning maneuver, they shall use visible warning devices, lights, and shall notify the Communications Section of relevant facts about the immobilization such as;

    a. Location;
    b. Direction the vehicle is facing;
    c. Description of Vehicle;
    d. Number of occupants; and
    e. Reason for Immobilization.

    6. Normally, only one or two police vehicles equipped with lights should be directly involved in a vehicle immobilization.  Directly involved, as used here, means making physical contact with the suspect vehicle, preventing it from moving from its location.

    a. When the back-up agent engages in the vehicle pinning immobilization, he/she will activate all emergency equipment.

    b. All other units shall stay clear of the vehicle immobilization, remaining alert to its progress in the event they are needed to assist with other functions such as arrest procedures, foot pursuits, perimeter security, etc.  

    c. Any sworn supervisor or, at the direction of the supervisor involved, the agent initiating the vehicle immobilization may direct additional units to participate in the support of the maneuver if it appears that two marked units are not sufficient to safely apprehend the suspect(s).

    7. Unmarked Police Vehicles

    a. When appropriate marked police vehicles are preferred when performing a vehicle pinning immobilization, however due to exigency and compelling circumstances unmarked police vehicles may be used to complete the vehicle immobilization maneuvers.

    b. If Utilizing Unmarked police vehicles, Unmarked police vehicles equipped with lights should be used when completing a vehicle immobilization.

    c. Due to lack of police markings, thereby limiting recognition as police vehicles, agents driving unmarked police vehicles shall exercise great caution and be clearly identifiable as Police Agents upon exiting the vehicle.  

    8. Department 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles

    a. When practical, police vehicles equipped with 4-Wheel Drive capabilities that are able to be continuously activated should be used to complete vehicle pinning maneuvers.

    (1) 4-Wheel capabilities improve the police vehicle’s ability to maintain traction and generate force when immobilizing a suspect vehicle.

    (2) Agents shall engage the 4-Wheel drive capabilities of the vehicle prior to attempting the maneuver.

    (3) 4-Wheel Drive equipped vehicles shall be operated with 4-Wheel High engaged.

    9. Supervisory Responsibilities

    a. The supervisor in charge during a vehicle pinning immobilization has the authority and responsibility to actively monitor the progress of the maneuver, continually assess the risks and hazards involved in allowing the maneuver to continue and determine if the maneuver shall be completed or terminated.

    b. The supervisor should order the vehicle pinning be terminated at any time if it is concluded the danger to the involved agents or public outweighs the necessity for immediate apprehension of the suspect.

    c. A patrol sergeant or other sworn supervisor shall respond to the vehicle immobilization.  The supervisor shall be responsible for controlling police actions at the scene and ensuring that all reports are completed.  Police reports will address the following:

    (1) Number of Personnel Involved.
    (2) Number of Police Vehicles Involved.
    (3) Reason for the Vehicle Immobilization.
    (4) Tactics Used.
    (5) Environmental conditions.
    (6) Other details directed by a supervisor.

     
    10. Initiating Agent’s Responsibilities

    a. The initiating Agent shall request a “Code 1” on the channel which they are operating.

    b. The initiating Agent should perform proper clearances via DMV and NCIC/CCIC of the vehicle license plates and/or VIN, if timing allows, prior to the implementation of the maneuver. 

    11. Methods of Immobilizing Vehicles

    a. When Pinning a vehicle Agents shall use 1 or 2 police vehicles to make positive contact with the suspect vehicle that is stationary.  

    (1) When Pinning a suspect vehicle with 2 Police Vehicles; Agents shall initiate contact with both police vehicles on the same side of the suspect vehicle to eliminate potential crossfire situations.

    (2) Agents shall only perform the maneuver of pinning if a fixed barrier exists in close proximity to front or rear of the suspect vehicle being immobilized.  

    (3) Pinning maneuvers shall be completed at low speeds and contact with the suspect vehicle should occur at the same time with all involved police vehicles.  

    (4) Police Vehicles involved in Pinning the suspect vehicle should maintain positive contact for the duration that the maneuver is performed.

    b. Except under extraordinary circumstances, Lakewood Police Agents shall not engage in ramming of suspect vehicles.

    c. Tire Deflation devices may be used, if practical, prior to the initiation of a vehicle pinning immobilization maneuver to prevent stationary vehicles from leaving the scene, in compliance with Section 4513.

    C. Rule

    1. Lakewood Police Agents shall use emergency lights, if equipped, when involved in a vehicle pinning immobilization.

    2. Whenever two Agents are in one vehicle, the driver shall be responsible for the operation of the vehicle and all emergency equipment.


    Applicable CALEA Standards: 
     26.1.1 Code of Conduct
     41.2.1 Responding Procedures
     81.2.4 Radio Communication Procedures