Since taking office in 2023, Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold Pretel updated the department’s policies on vehicle pursuits, including easing restrictions on the use of a potentially dangerous tactic.

The tactic, commonly referred to as a “PIT,” which stands for Precision Immobilization Technique, Pursuit Intervention Technique or Push It Tough, among other names for it , involves pulling next to another vehicle and using the front bumper of a patrol car to push on the rear corner of the suspect vehicle.

The sheriff’s department describes it as "a forced rotational vehicle stop of noncompliant subject vehicle.”

During Saturday night’s fatal pursuit involving deputies from the Downtown Safety Patrol, the deputy who initiated the chase asked a supervisor for permission to use a PIT.

“Afte

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