SCCJA blk4 Vehicle tactics 2023

Traffic stop A temporary detention of a driver of a vehicle by police to investigate a possible crime. A traffic stop is considered to be a sub-set of a Terry stop, this requires only reasonable suspicion Justification for ordering driver and or passengers out of the vehicle Pennsylvania v. Mimms-a police officer as a matter of course, order the driver from a lawfully stopped car to exit his vehicle. The supreme court recognized the potential danger to the officer while conducting a traffic stop Maryland v. Wilson The Supreme Court extended the ability of officers to order persons out of the vehicle to ALL passengers Check the following before duty tire pressure, lights, public-address systems, siren, and horns, additionally items such as; clipboards, pens, and papers should be strapped down. So the officer can make rapid deployment out of the passengers door if necessary, 2 seconds is the standard Why should the officer's front seat be clear The proper procedures for a traffic stop Detection of the violation-RS or PC Communication-Before the officer turns on the blue lights, he should have already communicated life saving information to dispatch Initiation of stop procedures-selection of location area that provides reasonable safety, avoid curves, hills, poorly lit. Select BEST and SAFEST -Gain attention of violator-Lights and sound -anticipate the actions of the violator- violator may comply -the violator runs -c0mmunications Common officer communication errors a. Failure to tell dispatch your current location b. failure to give your location in the proper manner c. Over modulating when calling for help Transmission is usually done in the following order -Intent to stop the violators vehicle (10 code) -location of the vehicle stop -the vehicle license number -the nature of the stop -description of violators vehicle (CYMBALLS) -description of the occupants The different patrol vehicle positions when conducting a vehicle stop -Vehicle distance -vehicle positions -left offset -right offset -in-line position Vehicle distance is obtained by peripherally observing the rear tires of the violator's vehicle as they rest on the pavement over the hood of the patrol vehicle, when it appears that the rear tires meet the HOOD then the proper distance has been achieved Left offset The traditional method of positioning a patrol one half its width to the left side of the violator's vehicle. Visually line the center of the patrol vehicle's hood to the drivers side of the vehicle Advantages- -degree of limited protection -provides max illumination of violators driver side Disadvantage- -place the officer closer to oncoming traffic spot lights may interfere with oncoming traffic Right offset use when there is moderate or heavy traffic and the officer does not want to risk standing in the roadway. this offset is performed the same as the other with the exception that the patrol vehicle is positioned one half its width to the violator's right side. Advantages -safer in moderate or heavy traffic -places the officer near the shoulder of the road with more cover -driver least expects lights don't interfere as much with oncoming traffic Disadvantages -slower to assume than the left -drivers side minimal illumination - In-line position As the name applies this position refers to the patrol vehicles stopping directly behind the violators vehicle Primary use -when roadway is narrow and shoulders are narrow -gives max illum into the violator's vehicle Disadvantage -officer has no offset offering limited protection from traffic -officer directly in line of site and line of fire -NOT recommended in the daytime Dirty side of the patrol vehicle -because traffic is coming up behind you Officer's should always think of the driver's side as the Call the driver out approach on the drive's side approach on the passenger's side The officer has three options when deciding his approach -NOTE anytime the officers feels the risk is to great based upon their threat assessment they should CALL THE DRIVER OUT! Driver's side approach What is the primary purpose of this exercise is to exercise control over the driver during the time of an exit, such as arrest for a DUI in which physical control may be necessary. Traditional approach what kind of approach is the drive's side approach considered, it is exactly where the violator expects the officer to be Wrap around or dodge exercise-consists Once the driver has closed the door especially in the daytime they should execute a dodge exercise this exercise consists of the officer walking towards the front of the patrol vehicle and wrapping around to the right side of the front of the right headlight Passenger side approach The objective of this approach is to avoid the pitfalls of the drive's side approach. THIS approach is NON-traditional, this approach is designed to trick or confuse the opposition at night. forces the violator to make last second decisions Passenger side approach Advantages -safest way to approach violator's vehicle -keeps officer out of the line of site -greater range of visibility inside the violator's vehicle -affords officer to be away from the dirt side -gives officer the element of surprise -options for cover are better -officer can observe 50% of the violator's body Passenger side approach disadvantages -blocked by objects on the passengers side -officer may have to share cover with driver if they have him exit -officers may resist this method on the account of already having formed a habit -does not allow for control of the driver -put the vehicle in revers and create space OR -rapidly deploy from the patrol vehicle and instruct the violator to get back into his vehicle If a violator rapidly approaches the officer's vehicle while the officer is still in the vehicle than the officer has two choices Reason violator's exit their vehicles -Attempting to show respect -violator may have something in vehicle they are hiding from the officer --violator intends to assault or kill the officer -a violator may be used to a different state law that requires him to meet the officer half way The officer should presume is the door is open or cracked Cracked doors-call the driver out -the door is broken, ask driver to shut door if door shuts it is not broken -occupants intend to get out quickly with unknown intentions -occupants want officer to approach door so they can assault the officer Windows rolled down Danger signs -drivers window and scanning for officers approach -the approach to the vehicle is the second most dangerous stage of the unknown stop -Call the driver out -tinted windows, vans buses, trucks,-call the driver out -shoulder shrug, following officers every movement, -during the scan the officer should also notice the violators rearview mirror -check traffic -avoid points of likely opposition -avoid lag time -avoid silhouetting in the headlights -anticipate and observe Point of no return Half way between squad car and violators car. Primary objective of a traffic stop Take some form of enforcement action, investigation suspicious activity, affect an arrest, and effect the violator's future driving behavior. Proper interview methods 1) be alert at all times 2) be certain the observations of violations are accurate 3) PRESENT a professional image/dress/bearing/lang. 4) be prepared for contact/necessary forms 5) decide on the appropriate enforcement action 6) greet the violator/be nice 7) inform/of law broken 8) get drivers lic./insurance/ registration 9)obtain other forms of ID 10) allow violator to discuss 11) issue citation/warning 12) explain options 13) refer court questions to court 14) be alert for driver stress 15) return violators documents 16) assist violator in re-entry of roadway Possible dangers police face while conducting a traffic stop Know very little about the person occupants may be returning from committing a crime occupants on their way to commit a crime might be a crime in progress in vehicle the vehicle might be a crime scene Elementary, routine, low risk, or misdemeanor traffic stops sometimes traffic stop are referred to as; A more accurate description is either unknown, suspicious, or high risk Ten fatal errors Attitude tombstone courage not enough rest taking a bad position danger signs failure to watch hands relaxing to soon improper use of handcuffs no or poor search dirty or inoperative weapon Attitude if you fail to keep your mind on your job or you carry personal problems into the field you will make errors, it can cost you or your fellow officer's their lives Tombstone Courage The act of putting on your body armor daily should be enough reminder of this fact. In any situation where time allows wait for back up, stall for back up. there are a few exigent circumstances when alone and unaided that you should try and make a dangerous apprehension