Basic Law Enforcement, Vehicle Tactics Latest Update 100% Verified

Basic Law Enforcement, Vehicle Tactics Latest Update 100% Verified Traffic Stop Definition A temporary detention of a driver of a vehicle by police to investigate a possible crime. What case in 1977 ruled that police have the right to ask the driver to step out of the vehicle during a lawful traffic stop? Pennsylvania vs Mimms What 1997 case extended LE right to ask all parties to step out of the vehicle during a lawful traffic stop? Maryland vs Wilson What should an officer check before operating his/her vehicle? Tire Pressure, lights, public address system, siren and horns. They should also have the cockpit area clear of items. Flashlights,clipboards, pens and paper should all be strapped down so they don't get in the way during a fast exit. How should an officer setup the vehicle prior to any traffic stop? The vehicle should be setup so the officer can make a quick stop, turn, or fast deployment through the drivers or passenger door. This should be practiced and performed within 2 seconds or less. Name the different vehicle positions for making a lawful traffic stop? 1. Left offset - Most common used by LE.Slightly left of the drivers door of the violators car. 2. Right offset - Slight right location when the officer is planning on stepping up to the car on the passenger door. In Line - The most common when making a roadside stop. What should an officer do if there are multiple passengers in the vehicle during a lawful traffic stop? Call for backup to deal with the additional passengers. What are the proper procedures for a vehicle stop? 1. Detection of the violation - should only make a stop when they have articulable reasons to do so. 2. Communications -Before the officer turns on the blue lights he should have already communicated pertinent information that may save his life to dispatch. The location of the stop and the vehicle tag information are of the utmost importance. 3. Initiation of stop procedures - Officers shall perform vehicle stops only when they have articulable reasons to do so. Officers should make sure to position both vehicles off the traveled portion of the road as far as possible. Name the common officer communication errors when making a lawful traffic stop? 1. Failure to tell dispatch your current location 2. Failure to give your location in the proper way. 3. Over modulating when calling for help. Name the steps for calling in a lawful traffic stop to dispatch. 1. The intent to stop the violators vehicle. 2. Location of the vehicle stop. 3. Vehicle license number. 4. The nature of the stop. 5. Description of the vehicle. 6. Description of the occupant(s) of the vehicle. What is the acronym used to remember the information needed by dispatch for a traffic stop? The acronym "CYMBALS" is a good way to remember information an officer should give to dispatch. C - Color Y - Year M - Make B - Body Style A- additional details L - License plate S - Serial number Where should officers avoid making the stop? Hills, curves and other hazardous locations What methods can a LE officer use to get the attention of a violator? Lights,horn, siren, public service address sytem or all of them What reaction types to the stop can the officer anticipate when he turns on the lights? 1. Violator responds to the officers signal by pulling over. 2. Runs - If the driver attempts to flee safety for himself and all other remaining parties are the officers top priority. Advantages and disadvantages of a Left Offset stop. Advantages - The officer can fill the drivers mirror using his lights for a distraction method. Have a good view of the inside of the vehicle before approaching. Disadvantages - Puts the officer in a direct line of fire. Places the officers headlights directly into oncoming traffic. It also places the officer into a lane of traffic. What should an officer ALWAYS do before exiting the car to approach a driver? Check for oncoming traffic. Name the advantages and disadvantages to the right offset approach method. Advantages - Places the officer near the shoulder of the road for a more safe approach. Places the officer near the shoulder of the road and natural cover. Disadvantages - Slower to assume than the left offset and the drivers side of the vehicle receives minimum illumination. When is the right offset method primarily used? When there is moderate to heavy traffic and the officer doesn't want to risk standing in the roadway. It is also not recommended during daylight hours. What is the inline position and when is it used? Inline position refers to pulling in directly behind the violators vehicle. It is primarily used when the roadway and shoulders are narrow or nonexistent such as mountain roads, bridges or medians and doesn't offer the officer the opportunity to obtain information safely. Name the advantages and disadvantages of the inline position. Advantages - Gives the officer maximum illumination into the violators vehicle during limited light or night stops. Disadvantages - The officer has no offset offering limited protection from the traffic or the actions of the violator. Also, if the officer steps out of the vehicle on the drivers side he/she will be directly in the line of fire from the violator. This position isn't recommended in the daylight hours. Anytime an officer feels the risk is too great he/she should do what? CALL THE DRIVER OUT!!! What are the three options an officer has when making the decision to approach the violators vehicle? 1. Drivers side approach 2. Passenger side approach 3. Call the driver out of the vehicle What is the primary reason for a drivers side approach? To exercise control of the driver in during a time of exit such as an arrest for DUI when physical might be necessary. What should an officer do when making a drivers side approach? Shine his flashlight in the drivers mirror to reflect the light back on the drivers face. What is the left side of the violators vehicle referred as? The dirty side of the vehicle. How should the officer step out of their vehicle? Quickly putting their left foot on the ground, controlling the door and pushing their body out while staying close to the patrol car. Quietly latch the door before stepping forward. What is the purpose of safety latching the door? 1. Secures the door 2. Cause little to no noise so the violator can't focus on the officers approach giving away their position. What is the wrap around or dodge exercise? If an officer feels a threat they can execute a dodge move. This is done when the officer has left the safety of his vehicle. Consists of the officer walking towards the front of the patrol vehicle staying close to the vehicle and wrapping around to the right side of the patrol cars right headlight. What are the steps for proceeding to the drivers side of the vehicle after a wrap around move is executed? Step towards the violators right tail light while constantly scanning for movement and checking the trunk. Moving to the left taillight, check for traffic and then proceed to the drivers side of the vehicle. What is the term for when an officer proceeds past his front door to the back of the violators vehicle? Point of no return. If an officer notices people in the backseat what decision should he/she make? Whether to get the driver out of the vehicle What distance should an officer have after having a driver step out of the vehicle? Double arms distance while walking behind them When the officer has released the violator from his stop what should the officer do? Walk back to the passenger door of the patrol car and wait until thee stop is complete. Name the advantages of approaching from the drivers door. 1. It affords better contact with the driver by the officer being near the drivers door. 2. Gives the officer the ability to control the violator when asking them to step out. Name the disadvantages of approaching from the drivers door. 1. Officer could be hit by oncoming traffic. 2.Places the officer in a direct firing line of the suspect. 3.Possible assaults by the driver or drivers door. 4. The officer can only scan one section of the car at a time. Ex. front then back seat Which approach method is known as the traditional method? The drivers door approach. What are the advantages of the passenger side approach method? Advantages - 1.Safest way to approach a vehicle from an inline or right offset position. 2. Keeps the officer out of the line of sight and line of fire. 3. Greater range of visibility inside the violators vehicle. 4. Keeps the officer away from the dirty side of the vehicle and possible oncoming traffic issues. 5.Adds an element of surprise because most people expect a drivers door approach. 6. Offers more options for recover and retreat for cover. 7.If the driver is the only occupant the officer should be able to see over 50% of the drivers body. Name the disadvantages to the passenger side approach. 1. May be blocked by objects on the passenger side violators vehicle. 2. The officer may have to share cover with the driver if he has the driver step out of the vehicle. 3.An officer that has never been taught this approach might resist because of habits formed. 4. If there is a passenger this will not facilitate control over the driver should he/she exit the vehicle. What should the officer do if the violator remains in the vehicle. Continue to observe and attempt to control the driver. What should the officer do if the violator exits and runs from the vehicle? Remain with the patrol vehicle for cover, call for backup, call a supervisor and notify dispatch.The officer should not approach the violators vehicle or pursue the occupant(s) alone. Give a physical description in a BOLO over the radio to any responding officers. What should the officer do if the violator exits and approaches the patrol vehicle? Deploy from the car in 2 seconds or less and be ready to draw a weapon. Check the rear view mirror and backup to create distance. Name some reasons why violators approach an officers vehicle. 1. Showing respect for LE. 2. The violator might have something in his/her vehicle that he doesn't want the officer to find. 3. Intends to harm or kill the officer 4. Thinks the state law requires him to meet the officer halfway between vehicles. What are the threats to look for before approaching a vehicle? 1. Cracked doors - Ask the driver to close the door. If the door shuts then it's not broken! This either means they intend to get out quickly to meet with you or assault you. 2.Windows rolled down - To avoid being a target move to the left side of the patrol car quickly before approaching the violators vehicle giving yourself a chance to scan the entire vehicle. If the windows are down and the occupants appear to be scanning, call out the driver. What order should an officer use when communicating the traffic stop information to dispatch? Intent to stop, location of vehicle stop, vehicle license number, nature of stop. If a patrol officer stops a vehicle and sees the driver door cracked, what should he/she do? Order the driver to close the door that is cracked. How close to the violators vehicle should the officer pull in behind them? When it appears the tires of the violators vehicle meet the hood of the officers car he/she should stop. In a high risk traffic stop should the officer keep his/her windows rolled up for protection? No, the windows should be rolled down to protect the officer from shattered glass and to aid the officer in hearing any sounds coming from the violators car. The driver of the motor vehicle must maintain proof of financial responsibility in the motor vehicle at all times and it must be displayed upon demand to a police officer, true or false? False, the owner of the vehicle must maintain proof of financial responsibility. Name three methods to stop a violator? 1. Initiate blue lights 2. Pursuit 3. Roadblock One of the advantages of this position is that it allows an officer a degree of limited protection. Left offset, this position allows the officer limited protection using the headlights, engine block and vehicle as cover. This position places the officer away from natural cover such as ditches, trees, etc. Right offset When there is moderate to heavy traffic this position is the best choice. Right offset This position offers the maximum illumination into the violators car. In line position What should an officer do in a high risk traffic stop when passengers are in the back seat? Use the driver call out method and not approach the vehicle. Name one phrase to say when disengaging a traffic stop. Drive safely What documents should you request from the driver on a traffic stop. Drivers license, registration and proof of insurance. What should an officer do if a violator exits the car and runs away from the officer? Remain in the patrol vehicle and call for backup. What are traffic stops in a 360 degree circle called? Public relations Where should a drivers hands be in a traffic stop? On the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position Where should an officer position the patrol car during a stop of a tractor trailer? In front of the tractor trailer What does plywood covering generally indicate to LE in the bed of a truck? Transporting drugs What type of triangulation should be used unless terrain prevents it? Wide triangulation When ordering a driver out of a vehicle which way should their palms be facing? Towards the officer with fingers spread. When selecting the best location for a suspicious traffic stop should an officer use the APC method? True or false True, the officer should almost always rely on the approach, position and control method to maintain safety. Where should the officer stay for safety in a suspicious traffic stop for cover, communication and safety? Behind the apex of thee drivers door. Is it acceptable for the officer to recommend a wrecker service to a violator as long as they are on the departmental approved list? No, the officer can request the next service on rotation to remove the car but should never recommend anyone.