Unknown Risk Traffic Stops PDF

11 Unit 1: Unknown Risk Traffic Stops Lesson 1: Communication With Drivers Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will know how to professionally interact with people during a traffic stop. Think About This You stop a vehicle and when you begin to communicate w...

11 Unit 1: Unknown Risk Traffic Stops Lesson 1: Communication With Drivers Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will know how to professionally interact with people during a traffic stop. Think About This You stop a vehicle and when you begin to communicate with the driver at the window, you realize they do not speak English. How do you handle this situation? 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, you may make an arrest, or you may find that someone needs help. Decreasing Tension and Increasing Cooperation Exercise procedural justice and remain professional at all times. Traffic stops are tense, and how you inter- act with those in the vehicle could shape the way they view law enforcement. When stopped, a driver may react with embarrassment, anger, fear, or excuses. The situation can be tense. You can minimize negative and potentially unsafe results by conducting yourself professionally and follow- ing your training. Using the following steps can help you practice procedural justice and reduce tension in a traffic stop: 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. Explain why you made the stop. Describe the violation in terms of what you saw the vehicle, not the driver, do. 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. Chapter 11 Traffic Stops / 425  Respond politely to any argument from the driver; simply explain your observations and the vio- lation, if any. Whether or not you issue a warning or citation, listening respectfully will help many people calm down and accept the situation. Emphasize the importance of the enforcement action by explaining the seriousness of the viola- tion, such as the risk of a crash or other circumstance. Do not lecture the person on what they did wrong. Keep the detention time as short as possible. End the interaction with a “thank you for your cooperation,” or “drive safely.” Courteously provide the person with your rank, name, and badge or ID number upon request. Maintain your awareness of officer safety throughout the stop. Refer drivers to the appropriate person within your department if you are unable to answer all the driver’s questions. When dealing with a difficult or disrespectful driver, you may be tempted to respond with anger. If the en- counter gets heated, it is important to respond with professionalism and a level head. Use a reasonable tone of voice and give the driver the option either to comply with your request or be de- tained further for their non-compliance. A rational and reasonable approach will often defuse a situation that could otherwise escalate with an angry response from you. The person you stop could be stressed, tired, sick, or afraid. Use empathy to place yourself in their position. Do not take anything personally that a driver says to you. ; LE1111.1. Describe how to interact with persons involved in a traffic stop to encourage cooperation Bridging Communication and Language Barriers Language barriers can hinder communication. For example, some drivers may speak a language other than English. Determine the driver’s ability to understand you throughout the traffic stop. They may be fearful based on previous encounters with law enforcement, confused as to why they were stopped, or concerned about what they should do during the stop. Request an interpreter through dispatch. If an interpreter is not available, try to communicate as best as you can by using gestures. Follow your agency policies on the use of translation mobile phone applications or when using a passenger as an interpreter for the driver. Your agency may have a translation service avail- able. Drivers with hearing impairments may also require assistance, though some can read lips. Writing notes back and forth may be a good method in such a situation. Encourage communication by employing procedural justice strategies. Treat people with respect. Listen to what they have to say. 426 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (LE): Volume 1  Make fair decisions. Explain your actions. When communicating with people during a traffic stop, your professional behavior should be a posi- tive reflection of your agency and is a vital part of fostering positive relationships with members of your community. ; LE1111.2. Describe how to bridge communication and language barriers Chapter 11 Traffic Stops / 427 11 Unit 1: Unknown Risk Traffic Stops Lesson 2: Initiating the Stop Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will know when and how to initiate a safe and professional unknown risk traffic stop. Think About This While patrolling at night, you notice a car with a broken tail light and initiate a traffic stop. The road you are on is a secluded state highway. The driver continues for miles before finally stopping in a gas station parking lot. What are some possible reasons why the driver didn’t immediately pull over? Traffic stops are among the most frequent activities that officers perform. A traffic stop is the lawful and temporary detention of a pedestrian or driver of a vehicle for the purpose of traffic enforcement. Although officers conduct traffic stops regularly, you should not become complacent when conducting one. There is a potential risk of harm each time you make a stop. Many officers are injured or killed during traffic stops. Traffic stops require that you apply officer safety skills and situational awareness at all times. Deciding to Make a Traffic Stop You may decide to make a traffic stop while driving, or when your vehicle is stopped or parked. Choose a safe parking place where you can monitor vehicle movement and watch for traffic violations. For example, when watching drivers at a traffic light intersection, park your patrol vehicle where it does not obstruct traffic flow but can enter the road quickly and safely to make a stop. Safe places include areas with a wide shoulder, available parking areas, and areas with an unobstructed view of oncoming traffic when entering the road. A traffic stop begins the moment you observe a violation that merits a stop. Some of the reasons to stop a vehicle include BOLOs, reasonable suspicion, or probable cause. All traffic stops begin as unknown risk traffic stops, because the potential risk of the situation is unknown to you at the time of the stop. You may stop a vehicle if the driver commits a traffic infraction or to assist a motorist whose vehicle is having me- chanical trouble. You may have reasonable suspicion that a driver has committed, or is about to commit, a crime. Other justifications for a traffic stop can be to investigate suspicious behavior or to investigate a vehicle or occupant matching a BOLO description. During the stop, keep in mind that all vehicle occupants are innocent until proven guilty. Once you see a lawful reason for a stop, decide whether it is necessary, prudent, and safe to stop the vehicle. If immediately stopping the driver may endanger you or other motorists, do not make the stop. Unsafe conditions for a stop include heavy traffic, construction, or roadway conditions that do not allow room to pull over. For example, a bridge is not a safe place for a traffic stop. 428 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (LE): Volume 1 If you are driving to an emergency call or an in-progress crime, or are transporting a prisoner, stopping a driver for a traffic violation is generally not practical. However, a reckless driver who is immediately endan- gering the lives of others may justify a stop, even if stopping means abandoning an earlier call. Your agency policies will dictate what takes priority in these situations. ; LE1112.1. Describe circumstances that justify making a lawful traffic stop Steps for Initiating an Unknown Risk Traffic Stop There are 10 steps for completing an unknown risk traffic stop. The first four steps involve initiating the stop. Some steps may happen at the same time. Step 1: Follow a vehicle through traffic until it is safe to make the traffic stop. Step 2: Notify dispatch of the traffic stop. Step 3: Select a safe location to stop. Step 4: Activate emergency equipment to communicate the stop to the driver. Step 1: Follow the vehicle through traffic until it is safe to make the traffic stop Use defensive driving techniques to catch up with the vehicle, follow at a safe distance, and signal all lane changes. A well-executed traffic stop should have a minimal effect on traffic flow. Consider calling for backup, based on your agency policies and procedures. You may have to follow the driver’s vehicle for an extended period before you initiate a safe stop or before requested backup arrives. Continuously observe the vehicle from the time of the violation until you complete the stop. Note the vehicle’s description, including its type, make, model, year, color, plate number and state of issue, and any vehicle descriptors, such as condition, bumper stickers or decals, dents, or a truck toolbox. Observe the driver and any passengers for unique identifiers such as glasses, hat, hair, or beard. ; LE1112.2. Describe how to follow the driver until it is safe to make a traffic stop Step 2: Notify Dispatch of the Traffic Stop Your safety depends on how much information you can gather before making a traffic stop. Relay the fol- lowing general information to dispatch: your radio identification number your location, such as the street, cross street, house number, or mile marker Location information is crucial on interstates and divided highways. If the situation escalates and you become injured or cannot use the radio, dispatch can pinpoint your location. If the final stop location changes, update dispatch immediately. your general direction of travel: north, south, east, or west Chapter 11 Traffic Stops / 429  a description of the driver’s vehicle, including color, make, approximate year the license plate number and state of issue Provide enough information so that dispatch can perform a database check before you approach the vehicle. If practical, provide enough information so that dispatch can perform a database check before the stop, as it might reveal important information about the operator or vehicle. the number of occupants and descriptions if possible the need for backup or other assistance as required ; LE1112.3. List the information to provide to dispatch during an unknown risk traffic stop Step 3: Select a Safe Location to Stop Select a safe location to initiate 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. Be ready to adjust and react quickly to any developments once the driver stops their vehicle. Any suspicious activity by the driver or passengers can increase the level of risk. Request backup based on your evaluation of the situation and agency policies and procedures. Consider traffic flow when planning the traffic stop. Traffic flow is the general speed and direction of ve- hicle or pedestrian movement. Weather conditions, school zones, construction zones, and neighborhood activities all affect traffic flow and can slow drivers and cause congestion. In addition to traffic flow, cer- tain road and traffic conditions increase the potential for danger for both the officer and the driver. These include merge areas, intersections, and acceleration lanes. If you have an assigned patrol zone, become familiar with normal traffic flow, speed limits and the locations where the limits change, and changes to traffic flow and conditions at different times of day. Except in emergencies, choose a location where the driver can maneuver out of the flow of traffic. The location should be a place where both you and the driver can avoid the danger of passing vehicles. Passing traffic is not the only risk, as stopping a vehicle in a populated area may create a volatile and dangerous scene. Other drivers may slow down to see what is happening, which can cause a traffic jam or hazard. Be aware of your situation and safety at all times. Check the width of the road and the shoulder to make sure that both you and the driver are far enough off the road so that other vehicles can pass. This reduces the potential for crashes, especially in a congested area where other drivers may not be able to change lanes to give you extra room. Try to pull off onto a level spot or a slight downgrade. Stopping on an upgrade may cause a large vehicle to roll into the patrol vehicle. Do not make a stop on a blind curve, on or close to a ramp, close to a crest of a hill, or where road conditions could cause other vehicles to hit the patrol vehicle. Take special precaution when conducting stops in areas where children are present, such as school zones or parking lots. ; LE1112.4. Describe how to select a safe location for an unknown risk traffic stop 430 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (LE): Volume 1 Step 4: Activate Emergency Equipment to Communicate the Stop to the Driver Signal the driver to pull over using your lights and siren. Once you signal the driver, you have limited control over where the driver will stop. Your interaction with the driver may begin before you signal the driver to stop. The driver may indicate that they know you are asking them to stop. They may look into the rearview mirror and make eye contact with you, signal a lane change to pull over, or suddenly reduce speed. Once the driver acknowledges that you have directed them to stop: Follow the vehicle as the driver changes lanes. Follow the vehicle at a safe distance. Direct the driver to a safer location if you are uncomfortable with the initial location. Begin communicating the stop by pulling your patrol vehicle directly behind the driver’s vehicle. You are required to turn on your emergency notification equipment once you are in a safe location to make the stop. Emergency notification equipment includes emergency lights, siren, headlights, the PA system, and a horn. It may not be necessary to use all the emergency notification equipment to communicate during the stop. Follow your agency policies. Use flashing emergency lights when conducting traffic stops. Emergency lighting systems differ among agencies, and each driver reacts differently to them. Some might panic and stop in the left lane, skid to a stop, or swerve. Others ignore the lights. If this happens, tap the siren for one or two seconds. The patrol vehicle’s high beams, spotlight, and takedown lights (white lights facing forward on the light bar) will help to conceal you from the driver’s view. Leave the emergency lights on at all times to warn oncoming traffic during the stop. If the stop occurs at night, spotlights can provide additional lighting. Consider turning on the patrol vehicle’s high beams, unless they interfere with oncoming traffic or restrict your vision by reflecting off the driver’s rear bumper or other object. To illuminate the interior of the driver’s vehicle, activate the takedown lights if your patrol vehicle is equipped with them. This also prevents the driver from seeing into the patrol vehicle. Stay far enough behind the vehicle so that you can react to any situation. Use safety precautions, such as avoiding traffic lanes, watching for pedestrians, and protecting the driver. If you need to move to a safer location, give clear, firm verbal directions using the PA system. You might say, “Driver, proceed into the parking lot ahead to the right,” or “Driver, pull your vehicle farther to the right.” If the driver flees instead of stopping as instructed, you should follow your agency’s protocol regarding vehicle pursuit. ; LE1112.5. Describe when to activate the patrol vehicle’s emergency equipment Chapter 11 Traffic Stops / 431 11 Unit 1: Unknown Risk Traffic Stops Lesson 3: Conducting the Stop Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will know how to conduct a safe and professional unknown risk traffic stop. Steps for Conducting an Unknown Risk Traffic Stop The last six steps involve conducting the stop. Some of the steps may happen at the same time. Step 5: Park the patrol vehicle. Step 6: Conduct a visual assessment of the vehicle and occupants. Step 7: Exit the patrol vehicle. Step 8: Determine the safest approach technique. Step 9: Interact with the driver and passengers. Step 10: Choose a course of action. Step 5: Park the Patrol Vehicle Because of roadway conditions, traffic, and other environmental factors, each traffic stop is unique. After stopping the driver in a safe location, park your patrol vehicle a safe distance behind the driver’s vehicle, about 1½–2-car lengths behind the vehicle. If the driver stops on the right side of the road, position your patrol vehicle in the offset-angle position. Align the center of your vehicle’s hood with the tail light of the driver’s vehicle and point your vehicle’s nose outward into the flow of traffic. This vehicle position creates a safety corridor for you to walk when approaching the stopped vehicle. Turn your wheels away from traffic. Angling the vehicle may also provide cover if the driver shoots a weapon. If needed, use the PA system to direct the driver to move their vehicle further to the right to improve safety and reduce the obstruction of traffic. 432 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (LE): Volume 1  Figure 11-1: Offset- angle positioning on the right Figure 11-2: Offset- angle positioning on the left shoulder of the road shoulder of the road Due to environmental conditions or roadway obstacles, you may have to conduct a traffic stop on the left side of the road. In emergencies or less than optimal conditions, you may have to conduct a traffic stop on the roadway. Move your vehicle to the far outside of the driving lane and place it in an offset-angle position. Figure 11-3: Offset- angle positioning in driving lane of the road ; LE1113.1. Determine how to park the patrol vehicle safely after the driver stops Chapter 11 Traffic Stops / 433 Position the Backup Patrol Vehicle The backup officer should park their patrol vehicle at a safe distance behind the primary officer’s vehicle. Depending on the conditions of the traffic stop, the backup officer may offset their vehicle to the left or the right of the primary officer’s vehicle. The backup officer should not use the front emergency lighting, to avoid blinding or silhouetting the primary officer, and should use only rear emergency lights. The backup officer should approach the driver’s vehicle along the passenger’s side of the primary officer’s vehicle. Figure 11-4: Positioning (offset of primary) of Figure 11-5: Positioning (offset- angle of primary) of backup patrol vehicle backup patrol vehicle ; LE1113.2. Describe how the backup officer should park their patrol vehicle in relation to the primary officer’s car to prevent a crossfire situation Step 6: Conduct a Visual Assessment of the Driver’s Vehicle and Occupants Assess the vehicle for signs of danger before you exit your patrol vehicle. Visually assess the vehicle from the safety of your vehicle. If the occupants try to exit their vehicle, your discretion and agency policies will determine whether you order them back into the vehicle. Look for signs of criminal activity. If the vehicle’s rear end appears to be significantly lower than the front, the vehicle could be carrying stolen merchandise, drugs, tools, a person, or a corpse. ; LE1113.3. Describe how to visually assess the vehicle, driver, and passengers for officer safety 434 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (LE): Volume 1