Arkansas State Police dashcam footage of a precision immobilization technique applied to a fleeing Dodge Ram has circulated widely as yet another example of the agency’s willingness to deploy decisive intervention techniques against suspects who refuse to stop. The PIT on the Ram, which is a substantially heavier vehicle than a typical pursuit car, required careful positioning and commitment from the trooper involved, and the result was a forceful takedown that left the truck unable to continue its flight. The footage has drawn the reactions that Arkansas State Police pursuit videos reliably produce: admiration from law enforcement supporters and more nuanced discussion from those who focus on the risk factors involved in high-force interventions.
Heavy trucks present specific challenges for PIT maneuver execution because the mass differential between the pursuing patrol vehicle and the fleeing truck requires more precise technique and often more speed to achieve the rotational effect that the maneuver is designed to produce. Arkansas troopers appear to have developed significant proficiency with PITs on heavy vehicles given the frequency with which Ram, F-150, and other full-size trucks appear in their pursuit footage. The Ram driver in this case was taken into custody following the stop and faces charges that reflect both the original offense and the pursuit itself.