The PIT Maneuver: How Police End High-Speed Chases
BY MN CRIME STAFF
When a driver refuses to stop for police, the situation quickly becomes a life-or-death calculation.
In Minnesota, officers operate under pursuit policies that constantly weigh the need to catch the suspect against the danger to the public.
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When a pursuit becomes too dangerous to continue, officers have a tool to end it forcibly: the Pursuit Intervention Technique, commonly known as the PIT maneuver.
What is a PIT Maneuver?
The PIT is a calculated, deliberate collision. A trained officer uses their patrol car's front bumper to nudge the rear quarter panel of the fleeing vehicle. This causes the suspect's rear tires to lose traction, sending the car into a predictable 180-degree spin and bringing it to a stop.
It is not a high-speed ram. It is a finesse move designed to be executed at lower speeds (typically under 35-40 mph) to disable a vehicle without causing a catastrophic crash.
When Can Police Use It?
Under MN Statute 626.8458, agencies must have a pursuit policy that balances risk. An officer cannot simply decide to PIT a car for a minor traffic violation.
A PIT maneuver is generally authorized only when:
The risk of letting the suspect go is greater than the risk of the maneuver. For example, if the driver is a known violent felon or is driving so recklessly that they pose an imminent threat to the public.
Conditions are right. Officers are trained to avoid using the PIT on bridges, near heavy pedestrian traffic, or against vehicles with a high center of gravity (like SUVs or trucks) that are prone to rolling over.
The Controversy
While effective, the PIT maneuver is considered a use of force that can be deadly. If executed improperly or while driving too fast, it can cause the suspect vehicle to crash into trees, poles or oncoming traffic.
In Minnesota, every pursuit is reviewed. Officers must justify their decision to initiate a chase and their use of forced-stop tactics like the PIT. If an officer's actions are found to be "unreasonable" under the circumstances, they—and their department—can face severe civil liability.
The Bottom Line: A police pursuit is a dynamic, high-stakes event. The moment you see flashing lights, pulling over is the safest option. If you run, officers are trained and authorized to use force to stop you before you hurt someone else.
