Law Enforcement Vehicle Stops

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of the lesson plan?

The proper methods for stopping and approaching vehicles

What is the objective of identifying the legal justification required to stop a vehicle?

To comply with legal requirements

What is the primary consideration for selecting the best location for a traffic stop?

Traffic volume and road conditions

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

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step to take charge of a high-risk stop?

Give loud, clear, concise directions Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if a weapon is visible on a suspect?

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

What is the primary objective of positioning the police car during unknown- and high-risk stops?

To provide a safe distance from the violator's vehicle Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of offsetting your vehicle 3-4 feet to allow a sheltered approach lane?

To provide cover for the approaching officer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary action the officer should take when approaching the traffic violator's vehicle during unknown risk stops?

Use cover and concealment Signup and view all the answers

Why should you avoid stopping on a hill or curve?

Because it reduces visibility and creates a blind spot. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of removing vehicle occupants during high-risk stops?

To ensure safety of officers and violators Signup and view all the answers

What is the legal requirement related to racial profiling and traffic stops?

Both RSMo 590.650 and 590.653 Signup and view all the answers

What should the passenger officer do in a 2-man car during an unknown risk stop?

Stay in the passenger seat, observe the vehicle being stopped, and provide cover for the approaching officer. Signup and view all the answers

Why should you choose a well-lit area for a high-risk stop?

Because it reduces the risk of reckless gunfire harming innocents. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of positioning your patrol vehicle 30-50 feet behind the suspect's vehicle?

To provide cover for the approaching officer. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do with the suspect after they exit the vehicle?

Have them walk backward between officers to be controlled and searched. Signup and view all the answers

Why should you avoid stopping in a congested area?

Because of the potential for innocents to be caught in a reckless gunfire situation. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do before exiting your vehicle during an unknown risk stop?

Get a visual on the violator's hands. Signup and view all the answers

What is the legal justification required to stop a vehicle?

Probable Cause of a traffic offense or Reasonable Suspicion that the vehicle or its occupants are in violation of some law Signup and view all the answers

What should an officer avoid when selecting a location for a traffic stop?

Drinking establishments, housing projects, public parks, and areas with heavy pedestrian traffic Signup and view all the answers

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

License number, description of the vehicle, exact location, and number of visible occupants Signup and view all the answers

How should an officer position their patrol car during an unknown risk stop?

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

What should an officer do before exiting their patrol car during a traffic stop?

Ensure the ignition of the suspect vehicle is turned off Signup and view all the answers

What should an officer do when approaching the suspect vehicle during a traffic stop?

Put a hand on their gun butt and walk toward the vehicle, minimizing draw time Signup and view all the answers

What should an assisting officer do during an unknown risk stop?

Stand behind the passenger door of the patrol car, with access to the radio and shotgun Signup and view all the answers

What should an assisting officer do during a high-risk stop?

Stand behind the passenger door or nearby cover, with a shotgun trained on the suspect vehicle Signup and view all the answers

When should an officer remove occupants from a vehicle?

During a high-risk stop, after backup arrives Signup and view all the answers

What should an officer do when removing occupants from a vehicle during a high-risk stop?

_locate the stop to your advantage, illuminate the suspect vehicle, get behind cover, and announce your purpose Signup and view all the answers

What information must a peace officer report to their employing agency after stopping a driver for a motor vehicle violation?

The age, gender, and race of the individual stopped, and details of the search and outcome Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the statute RSMo 590.650 and 590.653?

To require officers to report certain information after a traffic stop Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe the minimum amount of justification needed to perform a 'Terry Stop'?

Articulable Suspicion Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of articulating reasons for a stop?

To increase the weight or value of the suspicions Signup and view all the answers

What is the main risk if a driver or passenger moves out of their vehicle during a traffic stop?

They may pose a threat to the officer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Whren case in the context of traffic stops?

It clarified the legal requirements for traffic stops Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Command Officer during a high-risk stop?

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

Why was the statute RSMo 590.650 and 590.653 passed?

To address concerns about racial profiling Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of having the driver place their hands behind their head and interlace their fingers?

To reduce the risk of them using a weapon. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of reviewing objectives and clarifying questions at the end of the lesson?

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

What is the officer's primary concern when removing occupants from a vehicle during a high-risk stop?

To ensure they do not possess any weapons. 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 a stop where the officer has reasonable suspicion that a crime was, is being, or is about to be committed?

Terry Stop Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for the officer to maintain a safe distance from the felony vehicle?

To prevent being caught in a vulnerable position. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the date 12-07-2000 in the context of RSMo 590.650 and 590.653?

It is the date the statute became effective Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the officer's command 'Driver, with your left-hand reach outside the car and open your door. Then, push the door open with your left foot.'?

To reduce the risk of the driver using a weapon. Signup and view all the answers

What is the officer's primary focus when approaching a felony vehicle during a high-risk stop?

To maintain a safe distance from the felony vehicle. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for the officer to be cautious when the driver turns around during a high-risk stop?

To look for visible weapons, especially in the waistband. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the officer's command 'Driver, take 2 steps to your left and kick the door shut with your right foot.'?

To create distance between the driver and the officer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the officer's primary concern during a high-risk stop?

To minimize the risk of threat to themselves and others. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of telling the driver to rest their hands on the steering wheel?

To monitor their hands and prevent them from accessing a weapon Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for casually placing a hand on the gun butt while approaching a vehicle?

Gun Location Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of approaching a vehicle from the left side?

It puts the officer in a safer position in relation to the Threat Zones Signup and view all the answers

What is the Crisis Zone?

A strip about 20 inches wide starting at the violator's rear bumper Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of dividing the area around the vehicle into Threat Zones?

To identify areas where the officer is most likely to be attacked Signup and view all the answers

Why is it safer for the officer to approach through the Crisis Zone?

It forces the offender to work harder to attack the officer Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of the officer's position in the Crisis Zone?

The officer has extra time to react to an attack Signup and view all the answers

What is the disadvantage of the Point Reflex Zone?

The officer is easily attacked with a firearm from the front seat Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of an offender's high adrenaline surge during an attack?

It warps their timing and judgment Signup and view all the answers

Why is a left-handed assailant at a disadvantage in the Crisis Zone?

They require more upper body movement to attack the officer Signup and view all the answers

What is the proper procedure for a suspect to remove a weapon?

Slowly removing the weapon using only the thumb and forefinger Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of taking the suspect to the rear of the patrol vehicle after cuffing?

To do a thorough and detailed custodial search while maintaining protective cover Signup and view all the answers

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

To maintain constant surveillance of the suspect vehicle and surrounding area Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Rule of 1 More'?

A rule that requires officers to always consider the possibility of 1 more suspect Signup and view all the answers

What should the command officer do after the last occupant has been removed from the suspect vehicle?

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

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

To ensure the officer's safety Signup and view all the answers

What should the contact officer do after cuffing the suspect?

Thoroughly search the suspect at the rear of the police car Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of having a contact officer and a command officer during a felony stop?

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

What should the contact officer do with the suspect after a thorough search?

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

Study Notes

Vehicle Stops

The objective of vehicle stops is to ensure safety for both the officer and the violator.
Factors to consider when making a vehicle stop:
- Location of the stop (avoid hills, curves, intersections, and traffic lanes)
- Vehicle positioning (offset 3-4 feet to allow a sheltered approach lane)
- Officer's approach (notify dispatcher, park 15-20 feet behind the violator's vehicle, and angle the car at 45 degrees)

High-Risk Vehicle Stops

Types of high-risk stops:
- Felony stops (verified)
- Wanted person stops
- Suspected felony stops
Tactics for high-risk stops:
- Choose a location that allows for a safe and controlled approach
- Position the patrol vehicle 30-50 feet behind the felony vehicle
- Use cover and concealment to minimize risk
- Use a loud and clear voice to issue commands to the occupants

Removing Vehicle Occupants

Roles of officers:
- Command officer: issues commands and provides cover
- Contact officer: removes the occupants from the vehicle
- Cover officers: provide backup and surveillance
Procedure for removing occupants:
1. Command officer issues commands to the occupants
2. Occupants are instructed to place their hands behind their head and interlace their fingers
3. Driver is instructed to remove the keys from the ignition and place them on the roof of the car
4. Driver is instructed to open the door and step out of the car
5. Driver is instructed to take 2 steps to the left and kick the door shut
6. Driver is instructed to turn slowly around 360° and stop
7. Contact officer approaches the driver and takes them into custody
8. Contact officer searches the driver and places them in a lockup car

Threat Zones

The Crisis Zone: a 20-inch wide strip starting from the violator's rear bumper and ending 10 inches away from the driver's window
The Reach Zones: extending forward an arm's length or so from the Crisis Zone
The Point Reflex Zone: fanning out from the back corner of the driver's window at a 45° angle
The Target Zone: arcing from the Point Reflex Zone around to the front fender of the vehicle
Officers should avoid standing in the Point Reflex or Target Zones to minimize risk### Felony Stop Procedures
The "Rule of 1 More" suggests that officers should always consider the possibility of one more suspect hiding inside a vehicle.
The roles of the command, contact, and cover officers are repeated for each occupant of the suspect vehicle.
The command officer instructs the passengers to exit the vehicle, using specific commands to ensure safety:
- "Passenger in the front seat, slide over to the driver's seat with your hands interlaced behind your head."
- "Passenger, reach outside the window with your left hand and open the door. Push it open with your left foot."
- "Step out, hands interlaced behind your head, facing away from me."
After the last occupant exits the vehicle, the command officer issues a "bluff announcement" to any possible hidden suspects.
The contact officer speed-cuffs each occupant in the kneeling position, thoroughly searches each suspect, and secures each suspect in a lock-up car using the seat belt.
Cover officers watch all suspects closely for any signs of aggression.

Felony Stop Considerations

Felony stops should always be considered dangerous.
These tactics are recommended to minimize danger and risk to officers.
No tactic is guaranteed to be 100% successful, and officers should be prepared to use alternative tactics if necessary.

Legal Requirements for Traffic Offense Vehicle Stops

According to RSMo 590.650 and 590.653, peace officers must report specific information to their law enforcement agency for each traffic stop:
- Age, gender, and race or minority group of the individual stopped
- Traffic violation or violations alleged to have been committed
- Whether a search was conducted and the circumstances surrounding it
- Whether any contraband was discovered and the type of contraband
- Whether any warning or citation was issued and the violation charged
- Whether an arrest was made and the crime charged
- Location of the stop

Racial Profiling

The "racial profiling" statute (RSMo 590.650 and 590.653) was passed to prevent minorities from being stopped by peace officers because of their minority status.
The statute does not prohibit vehicle stops based on reasonable suspicion that a crime was, is being, or is about to be committed, and the suspect is involved.
"Reasonable Suspicion" is also known as "Articulable Suspicion," requiring the officer to articulate their suspicions and be able to put them into words.

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