The Line Officer
Function
CJUS 104
Part 7: Traffic Enforcement and
Foot Patrol
1.
Introduction
A. Traffic enforcement = important part of job
(1) Reasons:
- to insure compliance with traffic laws
- protect the public /property
- reduce accidents /injuries
- opportunity = uncover criminal acts
(2) There is never a “routine traffic stop”
- you do not know vehicle occupants
- do not know what is going to happen
when you walk up to the vehicle
- safe tactics /procedures = part of job
(2) Good police work = routine traffic stop
- good arrests are made
B. Planning the stop
- observe a violation = plan /don’t react
- do not have to stop every violator
(1) Guidelines for traffic stop
- safe location = you and other drivers
- consider backup
- able to articulate justification for stop
(2) Broadcast extraordinary information
- prior to stop
- people in vehicle /license plate altered
- possible DUI
C. Making the stop
- notify dispatch = vehicle information
- location of the exact stop
(1) Dispatch notified before
- turning on emergency equipment
- overheads = vehicle accelerates before
- pursuit = dispatch has information
(2) Watch occupants closely
- furtive movements /switch positions
- tossing objects from vehicle
(3) Use simplest methods to stop vehicle
- first = overhead lights
- flash headlights /use PA system
- honk your horn
- last resort = siren /watch other drivers
(4) Required = pull over to right /stop
- except when otherwise directed
- PA system = tell where to turn /park
(5) Notify dispatch of final location /backup
(6) Illuminate violator vehicle
- take-down light for vehicle /interior
- spot light = driver side mirror /rearview
2. Positioning vehicle
A. Position for officer protection
- vehicle occupants /on-coming traffic
(1) Distance from stopped vehicle
- 10 to 15 feet away
- enough distance to react /suspect exits
- close enough to contact violator
- quickly return = violator drives away
(2) Exit vehicle quickly
- never get caught sitting in vehicle
- get out quickly /back vehicle up
- two officers = passenger first out
B. Park at angle
- pull in behind /park at 45 degree angle
- wheels turned to left
- protects officer /other vehicle hits rear end
- pushed away from officer /stopped vehicle
C. Approach vehicle
- not distracted /continue to observe
- handgun empty
- make contact /back to vehicle to write
(1) Driver /passenger exit the vehicle
- demand they stay at vehicle
- weapon ready if any concerns
- maintain control /approach when ready
(2) No more than one person out of car
- demand they get back in car
- weapon at the ready
- don’t lose control
(3) Consider right-side approach
- heavy traffic on roadway
- out of sight = side view /rear view
- allows: move away /drop down
(4) Get in habit = pushing down on trunk lid
- person may be in unlocked trunk
(5) Not walk between vehicle /patrol car
- go into reverse /hit you
- continually watch backup lights
- be ready to jump
(6) Walking up = be observant
- look into backseat as you approach
- stand just back of driver’s front door
- make driver turn back to look at you
- watch the hands of driver
3. Contacting driver
A. Concerns about approaching vehicle
- consider calling driver back to you
(1) Tell driver to turn-off engine
- step out with hands in plain view
(2) Your out of vehicle = behind car door
- have driver walk back to you
- approach when satisfied no danger
B. Whether contact in vehicle /on street
(1) License /registration /insurance card
- look at picture = compare to driver
- establish control /compliance
- do not argue with driver
(a) Ask questions /avoid accusations
- know speed limit /how fast going
(b) Verify all information
- driver’s check /vehicle check
(c) Courteous = but firm
- attitude /demeanor = difference
- do not hesitate /sound confused /
contradict yourself
C. Returning to your vehicle
(1) Do not turn back on driver
- continue = look back at occupants
- returning to the patrol car
(2) Occupants = remain in their car
- driver refuses = wait beside the car
- danger sign = out of car /close to you
(3) Violator /passenger = nervous /agitated
- be very cautious
- swearing /kick tire /pound on roof
- get backup ASAP
(a) Driver approaches you
- draw weapon /have ready
- prepare to use pepper spray
(b) Demand they wait in /at their car
- tell = arrest for obstructing
- others = interfering
(4) Know justification for using force /arrest
- threatened = used defensive technique
- articulate justification to use force
- violator refuses to sign citation = make
arrest with backup
D. Second contact
- can be very dangerous
(1) Believe you ran warrant check
- waiting for confirmation
(2) Become more agitated /angry waiting
- time to plan attack on you
(3) Consider = they come back to you
- contact at rear of the their vehicle
- stand in front of patrol vehicle
- you stand at passenger side
(4) Keep license /registration = ticket signed
- check signature /compare to license
- law allows them to sign any name
- still holds them to legal ramifications
(5) Explain procedures = take care of ticket
- end contact politely /safely
- never say “Have a nice day”
- if necessary = assist back into traffic
E. Two-officer stops
(1) Use ‘contact and cover’ guidelines
- passenger officer = first out
- driver /one foot out = updates dispatch
- driver officer makes contact
- lets occupants know = two officers
(2) Both officers out every time /even in rain
- cover officer = inspects right side
- driver = left side /watches violator(s)
(3) Communicate with your partner
- especially where weapons are concern
- rifle = rack in back of pickup
- knife = lying on floor in backseat area
(a) People lying down in vehicle /hiding
(b) Suspicious movements of occupants
- talk = before /during /after stop
(c) Code word ready = certain incidents
- suspect holding gun on partner
- partner to back away to safety
(4) Stagger your approach and return
- cover officer = checks vehicle /then
returns to position of safety
- driver officer = returns from contact
- cover officer = moves up /flashing light
3. Problem vehicles
- motorcycles /vans /campers /motor homes
A. Motorcycles
- easier to assault officer /feet and hands
- greater ability to turn /shoot at officer
- identity remains hidden /helmet on
- greater ability to elude on motorcycle
(1) Vans /campers /motor homes
- provides greater concealment
- side and back doors = surprise attack
(2) Trucks = freight /log /delivery /tanker
- height = not allow officer to see inside
- sleeping compartment = 2nd individual
B. General guidelines
- illuminate mirrors /watch closely /back up
- consider a ‘high risk’ stop
- carefully watch side and back doors
- consider having driver step out
4. Foot patrol
A. More readily accessible to the public
- impacts police-public relations more
(1) Greater responsibilities = greater threat
- walking advertisement for department
- sees you as an individual
- not faceless person in patrol car
(a) Greater resource /gather information
- citizen has easier access
- establish good reputation on street
(b) More vulnerable to attacks
- walking in open areas
- moving among people
(2) Primary reason for foot patrol
- high crime area
- business district = high traffic volume
- large gathering of people
(3) Hours /days may vary
- usually = days /swing shifts
- 10:00 AM to 3:00 AM
- prime hours = business /street people
B. Officer attitude /appearance
- to look good /approachable
(1) Friendly /observant
- ability to communicate
- enjoy meeting people /helping
- observe with five senses
- good memory = facts /faces
(2) Maintain professional appearance
- physically fit /trim = in the public eye
- non-smoker /agencies will not hire
- uniform in top condition
(3) Use to be used for punishment
- now = considered an advancement
- competition for position
C. Performance
(1) Do not establish a pattern
- random patrol
(2) Actions on day /swing shifts can differ
- day shift = primarily public relations
- contacting people /businesses
- checking = alleys /banks /stores /etc.
- most of shift = visible
(3) Swing shift
- spend time being visible /invisible
- lurking in alleys /doorways /shadows
- maintain order /control of crowds
(4) Get to know people better
- calling by their names
- knowing what to expect from them
- their needs /expectations
- transients /homeless /mentally ill
- easy to by-pass in patrol car
- not while on foot patrol
5. Prowler calls
A. Become very routine calls
(1) People in fear of personal safety
- see on television /read in paper
- gossip when talking to others
(2) Calls occur both day and night
- majority = occur at night
- pose greater threat to officers
- harder to locate suspect /prowler
(3) Resident thinks they see /hear someone
- any movement /a shadow /dog barking
- any sound = roof /by a window or door
- say they saw someone look in window
(4) All calls taken very seriously
- whether they see someone
- or just hear a strange noise
B. At least two patrol cars assigned
(1) Great potential for danger
- hiding /preparing for assault on officer
- easily turn into foot pursuit
(2) Respond quickly /safely
- do not respond Code 3 (lights /siren)
- emergency lights = thru intersections
- dispatch = prowler using forced entry
- use siren on approach to scare away
- avoid injury to victim
C. Know your district
(1) Within several blocks = turn off lights
- use flashlight to look at house numbers
- opposite side = quick on and off
(2) Park at least two houses away
- make as little noise as possible
(3) Stay in shadows
- listen for strange noises
- dogs barking /glass breaking
(4) Assigned officer is in charge
- direct other responding units into area
- advise positions to take
D. Dispatch responsibility
(1) Advise of arrival
- tell number of officers at scene
- request radio silence
(2) Have dispatch notify homeowner
- usually kept on line
- advised to keep doors /windows locked
E. Preliminary search = residence /grounds
(1) Use radio to advise other officers
- tell position to take = front /back /side
- which officers to start search
(2) Secondary search = contact neighbors
- search neighborhood area
- check all vehicles in area
(5) Contact complainant
- advise if suspect found or not
- will continue periodic checks if not
6. Help the officer calls
- top priority call
A. The police subculture
- very close relations /intimate friendships
- people you depend on /do not assault
- officer needs help = all respond
(1) Officer down
- usually means injured
- shot /knifed /beaten
(2) Officer needs help
- situation where more officers needed
- can be before /during /after a contact
- can occur at any time
B. Responding officers
- drive safely
- department procedures = lights /siren
(1) Remember safety of public
- other drivers /pedestrians
(2) Follow directions of primary officer
- do not respond if not assigned
(3) Responding officers use caution
- be prepared for an attack