RE: List tactics you use on car stops.

I use the passenger side approach 90 percent of the time. I think it has saved me several times when i was able to spot weapons concealed by the driver under the right thigh. since those instances have occurred i preach this technique to all my new trainees.

RE: List tactics you use on car stops.

Lots of good info. I agree 100% with passenger-side approaches whenever possible, but there's one thing that hasn't been mentioned (as far as I've seen). Maybe this is common sense to most, but maybe not. When I make a stop, the spotlight is on the rearview as soon as we quit rolling. However, I make a point of walking around the backside of my cruiser so I don't step in front of the spotlight beam. It takes a touch longer, but it goes a long way to keeping the tactical advantage of surprise when you pop up on the passenger side.

Watch your back,
Russ

RE: List tactics you use on car stops.

With regard to approaching vehicles at night with tinted windows.... If possible instruct driver to turn on interior light as well turn off (if your vehicle setup allows) forward facing strobes and spots. This is contrary to most approaches but it does allow you to see in the car while affecting the occupants night vision so the advantage returns to you.

traffic stop tactics

It looks like a lot of you have some very good techniques...

My preferences are (and I am with a partner on traffic stops), that first we call it in (I agree, its a heck of a lot safer for other police officers to know where you're at and what you're doing...dispatch too).

We generally take our spot lights and shine it at the driver (or near the driver's side mirror on the vehicle) and at the passenger side. It helps to blind them, and it illminates the car for us. This helps to see sillouettes in vehicles with tinted windows (<--this might help those who mentioned having trouble with tinted windows).

Next, we both get out at the same time and gently shut the patrol car door (silent approach)...and the trunk is given a quick tug as we are scanning the back seat and front seats of the vehicle. I usually put my hand on my holster as my partner works on talking to the driver.

I agree, standing a little behind the driver and passenger side door gives a little cover to the officers. My job is to constantly scan for threats watching for my & my partner's safety, and to look for anything that is illegal or to observe the car's contents in confirming what ever story we are getting from the occupants is probably true or a lie.

Usually after the info is obtained we keep our eyes on the vehicle only to look at our patrol car in getting an idea on how to get back to it. Once in the patrol car, I keep an eye on our surroundings and the stopped vehicle for officer safety while we run information.

Going back to the vehicle is much the same thing...

We do swing by other police officers or any other law enforcement agency when they have some one stopped just to check up on them seeing if they need any help. Some times we'll sit in the area until they are done even though they don't need any help just to keep presence.

"Is your number still 911?" - Ofc. Rachel T.

RE: List tactics you use on car stops.

Good thread. Just want to make one addition, concerning using the takedowns and spotlights ... USE THEM EVERY TIME. I've found that, even in daylight hours, well directed lights into mirrors will hinder the vision of the occupants of a vehicle enough for me to maintain a slight tactical advantage. In addition, especially during daylight hours, turn on the prowl car's high-beam headlights. This is an added, "blinding light" resource that most officers I've worked with hadn't ever thought about until I suggested it. Not claiming to be smart, just every once in a while, I get lucky and manage to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

i agree

 using ALL of your lights (take-downs, spot, highbeams) during daylight stops is a great idea most of us rarely do. an additonal concept here is, when you DO hit mids and are stopping cars, the habit of turning on all your lights during the day should carry over at night and you're more likely to use all the lights to your advantage...

Last edited @ 1/19/2009 12:34 PM