Traffic Stops

DO NOW

� Think about a traffic stop you have been involved

in or seen (either in person or on television) and
answer the following questions:

� 1. What did the police officer say?

� 2. How did the police officer park their vehicle

and approach your vehicle?

� 3. How did you feel as the stop was going on?

Explain why you.

� 4. Did the police officer do anything that you

questioned?

TRAFFIC STOPS

Principles Of Law Enforcement

OBJECTIVE

� I will demonstrate my understanding of making a

basic traffic stop by reviewing a vehicle stop and
writing a police report of that vehicle stop by the
end of class.

AGENDA

� Opening

� Before Initiating a Traffic Stop

� The Traffic Stop

� Activity

� Closing

AGENDA

� Opening

� Before Initiating a Traffic Stop

� The Traffic Stop

� Activity

� Closing

REASONS TO CONDUCT A TRAFFIC STOP

� There are four primary reasons to conduct a

traffic stop on a suspect.

⚫ To issue a citation or a warning for a traffic violation

⚫ To aid or help a motorist

⚫ To investigate a suspicious vehicle

⚫ To investigate suspicious activity unrelated to the

vehicle

BEFORE INITIATING THE TRAFFIC STOP

� You want to ensure that you initiate the traffic

stop at a point where it is safe for both the
suspect’s vehicle and your patrol vehicle to pull
over.

� Once this is determined you can initiate you

lights and siren (if necessary) and pull the vehicle
over.

AGENDA

� Opening

� Before Initiating a Traffic Stop

� The Traffic Stop

� Activity

� Closing

INITIATING THE TRAFFIC STOP

� Before exiting your vehicle, you will call in the

stop to dispatch (this can/should be done before
you initiate the stop but must be done before you
exit the vehicle)

� You will report the following to dispatch:

⚫ The license plate of the vehicle

⚫ The location of the traffic stop

⚫ Number of individuals in the vehicle

⚫ Reason for the stop (can just be “traffic”)

⚫ Any other important information you think dispatch

needs to know

INITIATINGTHETRAFFIC STOP

� As you call into dispatch, you will use the phonetic

alphabet when identifying the letters of the license
plate.

� A-Alpha I-India Q-Quebec Y-Yankee

� B-Bravo J-Juliet R-Romeo Z-Zulu

� C-Charlie K-Kilo S-Sierra

� D-Delta L-Lima T-Tango

� E-Echo M-Mike U-Uniform

� F-Foxtrot N-November V-Victor

� G-Golf O-Oscar W-Whiskey

� H-Hotel P-Papa X-X-Ray

INITIATING THE TRAFFIC STOP

� Vehicle Placement – Proper vehicle placement is

key to maintaining safety during the traffic stop.

⚫ It can provide cover if needed

⚫ Gives the officer the ability to react to the suspect if

needed

⚫ Allows for the in-car camera to capture the traffic

stop

VEHICLE PLACEMENT

� Ideally there should be 10-12 feet between the

suspect’s vehicle and the patrol vehicle.

� If space allows, the patrol vehicle should be 3 feet

to the left of the suspect’s vehicle (off-set).

� If not then the patrol vehicle should be directly

behind the suspect’s vehicle (in-line).

OFF-SET

IN-LINE

Multiple Choice

How much space should be between suspect's vehicle and the police vehicle?

• 10 -15

• 10-12

• 5-10

• 5-12

APPROACHINGTHE SUSPECT’S VEHICLE

� Leave your emergency lights on as you exit the patrol

vehicle.

� As you exit your vehicle, pay attention to the traffic

around you.

� Slowly approach the suspect’s vehicle paying

attention to the actions of the occupant(s) of the
vehicle.

� Touch the rear of the vehicle as you approach so that

you are leaving a fingerprint on the suspect’s vehicle
(this proves you were in contact with this particular
vehicle).

APPROACHINGTHE SUSPECT’S VEHICLE

� Once you reach the rear

windows, begin looking inside
the vehicle to see anything in
plain view.

� Once you reach the driver’s

side window, make sure you
are not standing directly in
front of the window (danger
zone).

� Instead, you will stop at the

rear edge of the driver’s door
and stand with your weapon
side away from the driver.

Multiple Choice

When approaching a suspect vehicle should you leave your patrol light on

• True

• False

SPEAKING TO THE DRIVER

� Remember, nothing is routine.

� Maintain a professional manner when speaking

to the driver of the vehicle.

⚫ 1. State who you are and where you are from.

⚫ 2. State the violation that was committed.

⚫ 3. Ask for the driver’s license/car registration/proof of

insurance.

⚫ 4. State any action before you do it.

⚫ 5. Complete the stated action(s).

⚫ 6. Explain what the violator must do.

⚫ 7. End the traffic stop.

AGENDA

� Opening

� Before Initiating a Traffic Stop

� The Traffic Stop

� Activity

� Closing

ACTIVITY

� Look up a YouTube video of a police traffic stop.

Pay attention to how the driver acts during the
stop. The goal is to review the traffic stop and
complete a police report based on the information
from the stop.

AGENDA

� Opening

� Before Initiating a Traffic Stop

� The Traffic Stop

� Activity

� Closing

OBJECTIVE

� I have demonstrated my understanding of

making a basic traffic stop by reviewing a vehicle
stop and writing a police report of that vehicle
stop by the end of class.

EXITTICKET

� 1. In your own words, explain the officers actions

during a basic traffic stop.

� 2. Why is it important to remain professional

during a traffic stop?

� 3. How does the driver’s reaction to a traffic stop

alter an officer’s discretion?