An officer equipped with spikes, has a pro-active way to keep out of a pursuit and if positioned behind protective cover, can bring a dangerous vehicle to a stop. Deploying a spike device should be the safest task for any officer involved in a pursuit. Positioning yourself behind cover provides protection, not afforded to officers in the pursuit.

Before 1993 procedures and product specifications were in place which helped insure officer safety. These specifications were never developed into standards. Spike systems were wider, heavier, but the “old school product and Tactics” produced a perfect safety record, a record superior than that of today. One manufacture announced over 15K uses of the product and a PERFECT SAFETY RECORD!

In 1993, tire deflation devices were becoming very popular and several new products and concepts were introduced. A few years later (1996) serious incidents began to happen, a change where Officers lost their lives. After years of use and many officers losing their lives, a few agencies have abandoned the use of Spikes others are trying out new tactics. Despite this the incidents have never stopped.

We at Spike-Devil understand the risks, and the features and training required for safe deployments. We experienced many agencies with years of safe use of the older systems, switch and poorly select newer tire deflators, and taking risks. Spikes systems are often selected by those with little or no experience in law enforcement or traffic safety. I have heard them justify dangerous use, and actually seen them influence other departments, and insurance companies to be critical of safety features of older brands.

Our goal is to define the risks and assist you in developing a safe and effective  training program for your department, for use of our Spike-Devil or Spike-Belt products. We will present you key training concepts and product features and explain why we think they are important and how they are based on “older” proven tactics.

Regardless if you are self training, or have been tasked in training your department, this Tab “Research and Training” will provide you extra material to give you a bigger picture of the use of Tire deflation devices and a skill level expected of an Instructor.