Page 38 - Argyle Police Officer Field Training Tips

Use of Force on Traffic stop

On traffic stops, use mostly passenger side approaches. While occasionally, there might be a good
reason for approaching on the driver’s side, passenger side approaches are generally safer. Ask yourself,
if things go wrong would you rather address the problem from the soft grassy area that is far away from
moving cars or the hard pavement near or in the lane of traffic where cars are moving at high speeds?
Also, any time you prepare to exit your vehicle, make sure to look through your side rearview mirror to
make sure no cars are approaching. This also helps you avoid opening the driver’s side door into traffic.
Don’t walk behind your vehicle to approach the violator’s vehicle. In the past, this was instructed as a
tactic to avoid getting crushed between your patrol vehicle and the violator’s vehicle in the event that
your vehicle was struck from behind while you were between the vehicles. However, if you’re watching
for vehicles prior to exiting and there were no vehicles then, it is unlikely that this will happen. Plus, you
lose sight of the violator’s vehicle when you walk behind the patrol vehicle.

Diagram A Diagram B

Pg. 37 POLICE FIELD TRAINING CONCEPTS