Traffic stops commonly occur for many reasons, like speeding,
swerving, or a busted tail light. Police officers can be confronted at these
stops with anything from a smile to a display of physical agitation. Because of
this, officers undertake extensive training on traffic stops on a variety of
topics like safe places to conduct a stop to interpreting basic human behavior.
This is done because traffic stops aren’t just the bread and butter of police
work; it’s also the most dangerous police work an officer can undertake. For
example, in California a two-man unit activated their
lights for a traffic stop of an SUV. The driver then slammed on their brakes
and jumped out of the vehicle, firing through the patrol car's windshield with
a laser-sighted gun, seriously wounding both officers.
- Act calm and don’t do or say anything that can be interpreted as threatening, even as a joke.
- Do not get out of the car unless the officer tells you to do so.
- Keep your hands in plain sight, like on the steering wheel.
- Do not reach for anything without letting the officer know you’re reaching for it and what it is.
- Do not argue with the officer. Although you may feel you’re right and the officer is in the wrong, it will make no difference; you’ll have your chance to argue in court.
Officers are trained to observe and interpret motions and
movements that you and I would consider innocent during a traffic stop. Sometimes
these motions are seen as potentially threatening, which has the potential of
escalating an innocent traffic stop into something much more dangerous. Here
are some tips on how to behave during a traffic stop; it’ll make you and the
officer more comfortable:
Remember to stay safe out there!
Thanks to Police Magazine.
No comments:
Post a Comment