Law Enforcement Traffic Stop Procedures

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Questions and Answers

What is the legal justification required to stop a vehicle?

Probable Cause of a traffic offense or Reasonable Suspicion

What type of location should be avoided for a traffic stop?

Drinking establishments or housing projects

What information should the officer provide to the dispatcher before getting out of the police car?

License number, vehicle description, exact location, number of occupants, and apparent description of occupants

When should an officer call for backup?

On high-risk or felony stops, and whenever assistance is needed Signup and view all the answers

How should the patrol car be positioned during an unknown-risk stop?

15 feet to the rear and offset 3 feet toward the driver's side of the violator's vehicle Signup and view all the answers

Why is the positioning of the patrol car important during an unknown-risk stop?

To fully illuminate the other vehicle's interior and occupants, and to read the license plate Signup and view all the answers

Why are low-risk stops considered unknown risks?

Because of the threat of a vehicle accident. Signup and view all the answers

When is it recommended to contact the dispatcher?

If possible, before making a stop. Signup and view all the answers

What should an officer consider when choosing a location for a high-risk stop?

The time of day and lighting. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended distance for positioning a patrol vehicle during a high-risk stop?

30-50 feet behind the felony vehicle. Signup and view all the answers

What should an officer do with the violator's car ignition before approaching?

Turn it off. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to have a 'visual' on the violator's hands?

To check for any weapons. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'gun location'?

A casual placement of the hand on the gun butt. Signup and view all the answers

What are 'Threat Zones'?

Areas around a stopped vehicle with potential hazards. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to avoid certain areas around a stopped vehicle?

They may harbor special hazards for officers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of an officer's approach during a stop?

To appear non-threatening to ordinary citizens. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended position of the police vehicle during a high risk stop?

30-40 feet behind suspect vehicle Signup and view all the answers

What should the officer do before exiting the patrol car during a night stop?

Throw a blinding flood or light inside the violator's vehicle Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the assisting officer in a high risk stop?

To serve as a control-and-arrest officer Signup and view all the answers

When should occupants be removed from the vehicle during an unknown risk stop?

Not recommended during unknown risk stops Signup and view all the answers

What should the officer do after the suspect exits the vehicle during a high risk stop?

Have the suspect turn 360 degrees very slowly for a visual scan for weapons Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the Eight-Step Car Stop/Citizen Contact?

To maximize the possibility of voluntary compliance Signup and view all the answers

What should the officer do if a weapon is visible during a high risk stop?

Have the subject lay the weapon down and use one foot to push it away Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended action for positioning the police car during an unknown risk stop?

Not specified Signup and view all the answers

What should the officer do before moving past the limited cover of the open car door during a high risk stop?

Have a visual on, and control of, the violator's hands Signup and view all the answers

What is the general theme of vehicle stops?

There is no such thing as a no risk vehicle stop Signup and view all the answers

What should the contact officer do with the suspect after thoroughly searching them?

Place the suspect in a lock-up car and secure them with a seat belt Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of cover officers during a felony stop?

To provide cover for the command and contact officer Signup and view all the answers

What should the command officer do after instructing the last occupant out of the suspect vehicle?

Issue a 'bluff announcement' to any possible hidden suspects Signup and view all the answers

Why should no officer approach a vehicle stopped in a felony situation until the command officer has issued a 'bluff announcement'?

Because there might be hidden suspects Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'Rule of 1 More'?

To consider the possibility of 1 more suspect hiding Signup and view all the answers

What information should an officer report to their agency after stopping a driver for a traffic violation?

The driver's age, gender, and race, as well as the traffic violation Signup and view all the answers

Why should an officer not rush their handling of a felony stop?

Because the officer needs to be cautious and adaptable Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the command officer's instructions to the occupants of the suspect vehicle?

To instruct the occupants on what to do Signup and view all the answers

What should the contact officer do with each suspect after searching them?

Place them in a lock-up car and secure them with a seat belt Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the cover officers watching the suspects closely?

To watch for signs of aggression Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason behind the passage of RSMo 590.650 and 590.653?

To address the issue of racial profiling in vehicle stops Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum amount of justification required to perform a 'Terry Stop'?

Reasonable suspicion Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the suspicion that an officer must be able to articulate in words?

Articulable suspicion Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of accumulating more reasons to articulate suspicion?

The officer's suspicions gain more weight and value Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the instructor reviewing objectives and verbally quizzing trainees?

To ensure trainees have received pertinent information Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe a stop made by an officer based on a pretext?

Pretextual stop Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the command officer during a high-risk stop?

To issue loud verbal commands to the occupants of the felony vehicle Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the command officer's instructions to the driver to remove the keys from the ignition and place them on the roof of the car?

To prevent the car from being driven away Signup and view all the answers

What is the command officer's response if they see a weapon as the suspect turns?

To have the suspect turn away and slowly remove the weapon Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the contact officer during a high-risk stop?

To cuff the suspect Signup and view all the answers

What is the width of the Crisis Zone?

20 inches Signup and view all the answers

Why is the suspect taken to the rear of the patrol vehicle to be searched?

To provide a safe location for the officer to search the suspect Signup and view all the answers

Where does the Crisis Zone typically end?

10 inches away from the driver's window Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the command officer's instruction to the driver to walk backwards towards the sound of their voice?

To bring the driver under control Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason for the officer to holster their firearm during the cuffing process?

To prevent unintended discharge of the firearm Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary danger of standing in the Point Reflex Zone?

The assailant may shoot you from the front seat Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult for a left-handed assailant to shoot in the Crisis Zone?

They need to make major upper body twisting and arm movements Signup and view all the answers

Why is the officer protected while searching the suspect at the rear of the patrol vehicle?

The officer is behind the patrol vehicle Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the command officer's instruction to the driver to turn slowly around 360 degrees?

To allow the officer to check for weapons Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of approaching through the Crisis Zone?

It forces the assailant to work harder to attack you Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the high-risk stop procedure?

To ensure the safety of the officer and the suspect Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary risk of being in the Target Zone?

Being attacked by an assailant Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of being close to the vehicle in the Crisis Zone?

You have more time to react to an attack Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk of moving out from the car in the Crisis Zone?

You are more vulnerable to attack Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of being alongside the rear fender during an attack?

You can lean onto the trunk and roll to the other side Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended procedure for removing vehicle occupants during high-risk stops?

Assigning roles to Command Officer, Cover Officers, and Contact Officer Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Legal Justification for Stopping a Vehicle

Two legal justifications required to stop a vehicle:
- Probable cause of a traffic offense
- Reasonable suspicion that the vehicle or its occupants are in violation of some law

Selecting the Best Location for a Traffic Stop

Avoid stopping at:
- Drinking establishments
- Housing projects
- Public parks
- Fast food hangouts
- Curves
- Hills
Consider cover options:
- Trees
- Hydrants
- Large rocks

Information to Provide to the Dispatcher

License number
Description of vehicle
Exact location
Number of visible occupants
Apparent description of occupants
Call for backup on all high-risk or felony stops and when assistance is needed

Positioning the Police Car

Unknown risk stop:
- Position patrol car approximately 15 feet to the rear and 3 feet offset to the driver's side of the suspect vehicle
- Fully illuminate the other vehicle interior and occupants
- Read the license plate without having to re-deploy the patrol car
High-risk stop:
- Position the police vehicle approximately 30-40 feet behind the suspect vehicle

Approaching the Vehicle

Park patrol car approximately 15 feet to the rear and 3 feet offset to the left of the violator's vehicle
Throw a blinding flood or light inside the violator's vehicle at night
Before exiting, ensure the ignition of the violator's vehicle is turned off
Before moving past the limited cover of the open car door, gain a "visual on" and control of the violator's hands
Reach a position that looks non-threatening to the ordinary citizen, but appears unchallengeable to would-be assailants

Actions of the Assisting Officer

Unknown risk stop:
- Stand behind the passenger door of the patrol car with access to the radio and shotgun
- Have a means of communicating with the approaching officer
- Move to the right rear of the violator's vehicle once the approaching officer has established there's no detectable threat
High-risk stop:
- Stand behind the passenger door or nearby cover, keeping a shotgun trained on the suspect vehicle
- Serve as a control-and-arrest officer

Removing Vehicle Occupants

Unknown risk stop:
- Removing occupants is not recommended, but be prepared to escalate to high-risk stop mode if necessary
High-risk stop:
- Locate the stop to your advantage
- Illuminate the suspect vehicle
- Get behind cover
- Announce your purpose and take charge
- Order the suspect vehicle immobilized
- Command the occupants to stay inside and hold hands up
- Maintain surveillance with a shotgun or rifle trained on the suspect(s)
- Stabilize the situation until enough manpower is available to proceed

High-Risk Vehicle Stops

Include:
- Felony stops (verified)
- Wanted person stops
- Suspected felony stops
Considerations for choosing a location:
- Avoid stopping on a hill or curve
- Avoid stopping in a traffic lane or in front of a trouble spot
- Try to stop in a well-lit area
Positioning patrol vehicles:
- 30-50 feet behind the felony vehicle
- Angle the car at 45 degrees for extra protection

Unknown Risk Stops

Tactics:
- Choose a location carefully
- Position your vehicle properly
- Avoid rushing your approach
- Prior to leaving the police car, notify your communications
- Reach a position that looks non-threatening to the ordinary citizen, but appears unchallengeable to would-be assailants

Threat Zones

Crisis Zone: a strip about 20 inches wide that starts at the violator's rear bumper and ends about 10 inches away from the driver's window
Reach Zones: extend forward an arm's length or so from where the Crisis Zone ends
Point Reflex Zone: fans out from the back corner of the driver's (or passenger's) window at about a 45° angle to the Crisis Zone
Target Zone: arcs from where it overlaps the Point Reflex Zone around to the front fender of the vehicle

Procedure for Removing Vehicle Occupants

Roles of Command Officer, Cover Officers, and Contact Officer
Command Officer:
- Covers the felony vehicle using his handgun
- Issues loud verbal commands to the occupant(s) of the felony vehicle
Contact Officer:
- Commands the suspect(s) after the Command Officer talks the suspect(s) back to a specified point
- Takes the suspect(s) into custody
Cover Officers:
- Maintain constant surveillance of the suspect vehicle and the surrounding area
- Provide cover for the Command and Contact Officer by using their handgun or a shotgun to establish a constant threat of risk or danger to the occupants of the suspect vehicle### Racial Profiling Law
The law is found in RSMo 590.650 and 590.653, effective December 7, 2000.
It requires peace officers to report certain information for every traffic stop.

Reporting Requirements

Age, gender, and race or minority group of the individual stopped.
Traffic violation or violations alleged to have been committed that led to the stop.
Whether a search was conducted, and if so, details about the search.
Whether any contraband was discovered, and if so, the type of contraband.
Whether any warning or citation was issued, and if so, the violation charged.
Whether an arrest was made, and if so, the crime charged.
Location of the stop.

Context and Purpose

The law was passed because of concerns about minorities being stopped by peace officers due to their minority status.
The law does not prohibit vehicle stops based on reasonable suspicion of a crime.
Reasonable suspicion requires articulable suspicion, meaning the officer must be able to put their suspicions into words.
The more reasons the officer can articulate, the greater weight or value their suspicions will have.

Review and Quiz

The instructor will review the objectives, clarify questions, and verbally quiz trainees on objective responses.

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