Page 24 - Argyle Police Officer Field Training Tips

Traffic stops

Call your stops out on the radio. Don’t pull driver’s over immediately after their violations, unless they’re
already in an ideal location. Anticipate your location so that your radio traffic is complete before you
activate your overhead lights. Also, maintain situational awareness. When you can, avoid stopping
vehicles near schools, daycares, or anywhere else where many people could get hurt if things go wrong.

At night, create a wall of light with your vehicle. Get out of your patrol vehicle as quickly as possible.

The truth is you never know who you are about to stop. You have no idea if that person just committed
a very serious crime, and they think you know what they’ve done. They may be planning to kill you the
moment you reach their window, and you will have no idea. It’s happened, officers have been killed
over simple reasons. Some trainers recommend placing your hand on the rear of the vehicle to leave
your fingerprints on it. Fingerprints can help confirm a vehicle later if you get assaulted.

Make passenger side approaches, most drivers still expect you on the driver’s side. The passenger’s side
approach allows you to see more of the driver and provides the element of surprise in many cases. If
you approach on the driver’s side, you’re closer to the moving traffic. I’ve heard of officers being struck
by vehicles while standing at the driver’s side of a violator’s vehicle, but I’ve never heard of an officer
being struck by a vehicle while standing on the passenger’s side of a violator’s vehicle. By standing on
the passenger’s side, you only have to worry about the driver and passengers in the vehicle. Also, if you
end up having to fight with the occupants, it’s better if you fight on the passenger’s side where you’re
further away from the lane of traffic. Don’t run the risk of falling or being pushed into traffic.
Be observant while approaching vehicles. A car door cracked open could mean the driver or occupant is
planning a quick exit. If you find this, instruct them to close the door properly before you get closer.

Be observant when walking away from vehicles too. Look back and listen carefully while walking to your
vehicle. If you have a cover officer with you, have them stay with the vehicle while you walk back. There
is no need for both of you to walk back to your vehicle together.

If a violator’s vehicle is too close to the lane of traffic or in an unsafe spot altogether, don’t hesitate to
ask them to move it to a better location.

Reach for their driver’s licenses or insurance cards with your weak hand. This keeps your strong hand
available in case you need to use force. Plus, there have been rare instances of suspects sharpening the
edge of their driver’s licenses and using them to slices officers’ wrists or hands when they reach in to
receive the item from the driver.
If you work alone and stop a vehicle that makes you feel uneasy, call for a cover officer. The stakes are
very high in this profession, and they don’t guarantee second chances. If you call for backup, wait for
them. One the way and on scene are two distinctly different things. I usually call for cover officer if I’m
getting someone out of a vehicle or anytime I’m outnumbered and believe the stop could turn into
something besides a warning.
Try to identify everyone in the vehicle. Many cars have been stopped where the driver was clear, but the
passengers were wanted.

Pg. 23 POLICE FIELD TRAINING CONCEPTS