Traffic Stop Communication

Communication With Drivers During Traffic Stops

• The goal of every traffic stop is to promote driver education and safer roadways.
• During traffic stops, you may issue a uniform traffic citation or warning, make an arrest, or find that someone needs help.

Decreasing Tension and Increasing Cooperation

• Exercise procedural justice and remain professional at all times.
• Greet the driver and passengers politely, introduce yourself and your agency, and tell them why you stopped them.
• Give the driver the chance to speak, request their driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance, and explain why you made the stop.
• Describe the violation in terms of what you saw the vehicle doing, not the driver.
• Allow the driver to talk or vent, remain polite and focused, conveying to the driver that you are listening to them.
• Keep a pleasant expression, a calm tone of voice, and a non-confrontational interview stance while maintaining officer safety.
• Establish a command presence by using words that convey professionalism and respect.

Planning the Stop

• Plan to conduct the stop in an area that gives the driver a place to stop safely, preferably in a well-lit location with a low traffic volume.
• Consider traffic flow when planning the traffic stop, including weather conditions, school zones, construction zones, and neighborhood activities.
• If you have an assigned patrol zone, become familiar with normal traffic flow, speed limits, and changes to traffic flow and conditions at different times of day.
• Choose a location where the driver can maneuver out of the flow of traffic, avoiding merge areas, intersections, and acceleration lanes.

Interacting with the Driver

• Begin by identifying yourself as a law enforcement officer, especially if you are not in uniform.
• Display a courteous but commanding presence, and you are less likely to encounter resistance.
• Make sure your expression, tone of voice, body position, gestures, and words are professional, respectful, and polite even while being assertive.
• Explain the reason for the stop, describing what you observed the vehicle doing, and request the required documentation.
• Allow the driver to offer an explanation, such as a vehicle malfunction, and take appropriate action if necessary.

Arrests During Traffic Stops

• During a traffic stop, you may develop probable cause to justify an arrest of a driver or a passenger for an offense that came to your attention during your investigation.
• Before making an arrest, call for backup and work together with the backup officer to conduct the arrest safely.
• Remember to maintain a professional standard of conduct at all times.

Disposition of the Vehicle and Passengers

• If you arrest a driver during a traffic stop, decide what to do with the vehicle and any passengers.
• Treat the passengers with dignity and respect, and be aware of their emotional reactions.
• Depending on the offense, you may search the vehicle, impound it, or retain it for evidence.
• Follow agency policies and procedures to inventory the contents of the vehicle and remove and secure any driver or passenger possessions.

Requesting and Waiting for Backup

• Periodically ask dispatch to provide the location and estimated time of arrival (ETA) for the backup units.
• An accurate ETA may help you plan for the safest stopping location.
• Identify a safe location to stop when backup officers arrive, considering factors such as lighting, traffic, pedestrians, and available space.

Coordinating With Other Officers

• The initiating officer usually serves as the primary officer, but there may be exceptions.
• Attempt to stop all vehicular and pedestrian traffic when backup officers arrive.
• Using the radio, the primary officer directs the responding patrol units to positions of backup or control of the driver and passengers.
• Backup officers should know what is expected of their positions to work safely and effectively as a team.

Learn how to professionally interact with people during a traffic stop, including handling situations where the driver does not speak English. The goal is to promote driver education and safer roadways.