Common Sense and Courtesy
By J.B. Blocker
With all the furor generated on the social media
concerning the shooting of a man during a traffic stop, it occurred to me that
many don’t seem to know how to behave if they are stopped!
To me it seemed that logic and courtesy were all that was necessary in order to make the stop as safe and painless as it could be considering the circumstances!
To me it seemed that logic and courtesy were all that was necessary in order to make the stop as safe and painless as it could be considering the circumstances!
I began my research by calling the ‘Best of the Best’ to help me get this right. These friends have served for years in several branches of Texas law enforcement. They include Sheriff Harold Eavenson the VP of the National Sheriffs Association, Carrollton Chief of Police Rex Redden, Director of the Texas Border Sheriffs Association Don Reay, Senate Candidate and past Top Texas Game Warden Peter Flores, Howe Chief of Police and License To Carry instructor Carl Hudman, and former Texas Highway Patrol/Texas Ranger Lee Young and Sheriff David Byrne to help sort out what rules have been approved and practiced by their various departments.
Of course I might add that when Game Wardens and Texas
Rangers make a stop, it is rarely for a traffic or vehicle violation.
I did a lot of listening as they guided me through not
only the regulations but also the reasoning behind the suggested actions for
the officer and the driver. With their help I have compiled a 2017 Drivers Traffic Stop Protocol that
should be an aid to the well being of the driver and officer alike.
It really
boils down to common sense and courtesy. To which I respond, “Common sense
seems to be a missing ingredient to a lot of people. Especially when they are
being pulled over!”
Since I took my license exam in the 70’s, I wasn’t really sure what the rules are on a Texas Driver’s License Exam. So let’s start there!
If you are stopped by law enforcement it is suggested that
you:
1.Move the vehicle safely to the right of the road as soon as
possible and stop
2. Place the vehicle in a parking position, set the
emergency brake, turn the engine off, and activate the hazard warning lights
3. Remain in the car, lower the driver’s window, and wait
for the law enforcement officer to give instructions
4. Follow the instructions of the law enforcement officer
5. Require passengers to remain in the car unless other
instructions are given by the law enforcement officer
6. Give the appropriate signals and safely return to the
proper lane of traffic when released by the law enforcement officer.
What if you are carrying a weapon? Every LTC instructor in Texas is
required to impart this to their students during their class.
A.
Have your driver license and LTC immediately accessible.
B.
Do not make quick movements especially when the officer is
present or approaching.
C.
Have your hands on top of the steering wheel as much as
possible.
D.
If at night, turn dome light on and roll down windows if
tinted.
E.
Open window(s) for communication
2017 Drivers
Traffic Stop Protocol:
by Lone Star Reporter
- Turn on hazard warning light to acknowledge to the officer that you are aware of them and intend to comply
- Park with ample safe space between the road and your vehicle
- It is permissible to drive far enough to have room to safely avoid traffic.
- It is permissible to drive to a well-lit location
- It is permissible to take a safer side street to avoid heavy traffic.
- Place vehicle in park, set emergency brake
- Turn off engine if practical based on weather condition (heat and air)
- Turn on dome light if the conditions are dark
- Make no sudden moves
- Roll down driver’s window. All windows if they are dark tinted!
- Remain in the vehicle and instruct passenger to do the same
- Place your hands on the steering wheel and keep them there until instructed otherwise
- Be Polite and wait for officer to give further instructions
- If you are carrying a weapon, announce it to the officer and tell them where it is located, do not point or reach for the weapon
- Tell the officer where permits, license, insurance, and registration are located
- Do not reach for anything until you have been granted permission
- When released give the appropriate signals and safely return to the proper lane
- DRIVE SAFE, Don’t litter, and wave at people you pass. You are in TEXAS! jb
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"One of the most dangerous situations on a daily basis a peace officer faces is a traffic stop. You literally don't know what to expect. The dark tinted windows are especially concerning. Officers have been shot through the windows conducting a stop."
It is prudent to know the training basis for law enforcement training. On a national basis, the common curriculum is:
The 7
Step Violator Contact Rules of
Engagement.
Texas Association of Police Explorers
Texas Explorer's Guide to Law
Enforcement Training
1.
Misdemeanor and Felony Traffic Stops
Objective:
Explorers should be able to conduct
a misdemeanor traffic stop and issue a ticket or make a misdemeanor arrest.
Explorers should be able to conduct
a felony traffic stop and make felony arrests. Explorers should be able to use proper
radio communication and properly use the patrol car equipment during the
traffic stops.
Explorers should have a clear
understanding of the dangers and safety concerns of making misdemeanor traffic
stops.
Foreword:
Many officers are killed each year
and thousands more are injured in traffic related incidences. For example, in 1999,
over half of all officer, line-of-duty deaths were related to traffic
incidences. In addition, when the use of weapons at the traffic stop are added,
the percentage of traffic related deaths is over 55 percent. Every stop for a traffic
violation has the potential for danger.
Routine traffic stops, as they are
sometimes called, sometimes turn out to be anything but routine. Officers find
uninsured drivers, drivers with suspended licenses, impaired drivers, illegal
firearms, drugs and fugitives.
Discoveries like these are all in a
day’s work for many officers. It is important that officers place a great deal
of emphasis on their safety and take a defensive posture at the stop until the
risk of confrontation or injury is diminished.
Misdemeanor Traffic Stops
There are three primary purposes for
every traffic stop:
The first purpose is to stop a
violation of the law for public safety. Officers will accomplish this purpose
merely by stopping the vehicle.
The second purpose of the stop is to
serve as a general deterrent to other drivers. Officer’s visible presence with
a vehicle at the roadside has this symbolic effect on other drivers.
Finally, the third purpose is to
change the driver’s future driving behavior. Officers’ interaction with drivers
during the stop will be a major determining factor in their attitude toward law
enforcement in the future. The goal is to achieve voluntary
compliance with traffic regulations,
but also acceptance of the laws and enforcement. People are more apt to accept a
new or modified behavior if they trust and respect the authority. This is why
professionalism is so important at the
traffic stop
Team Structure:
Explorer #1 = Primary Officer
Explorer #2 = Secondary Officer
(rides with the Explorer Driver)
Explorer #3 = Back up unit
Explorer #4 = Back up unit
Initiating the traffic stop:
1.Radio communication with dispatch:
A. Run the vehicle license plate and
give vehicle description, example “license plate check on Texas TPX23L for a brown
ford pick-up.”
B. If possible, wait for dispatch
return before making a traffic stop.
C. Check out with vehicle, example
“I’ll be out on traffic with TPX23L, a brown Ford pick-up at 123 Easy Street,
vehicle occupied by 2 white males.”
Always give vehicle description when
running a license plate
Always give location of stop and
number and brief description of people in the vehicle.
Request back up. (normal misdemeanor
traffic stops do not require back up, however, for Explorer scenarios back up
should be requested.)
If a two-man unit, the passenger
should be the radio operator.
2.Activate emergency lights and stop
violator in a safe location.
3.Turn vehicle wheels toward the
roadway.
4.Always check for traffic in the
mirrors and with a quick peek
before exiting the patrol car.
5.While advancing to the violator
vehicle, check the trunk and
make sure it is closed.
6.Look through the windows and do a
visual “pat down” of the
vehicle and occupants.
7.Make contact with the driver.
8.If necessary, make contact on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
Don’t Get run over!
The seven-step violator contact
method
1.
Greeting and identification of the
police agency:
The greeting may be accomplished in
the most natural way for the officers. They may introduce themselves, or use only
a "Good Morning," "How do you do?" or other natural
greeting. This is a courtesy we owe to every citizen stopped. Regardless of
whether the officers are in a marked car and in uniform, they should identify
themselves and name the agency. The objectives in the greeting are to employ
business courtesy, to help make the subject feel at ease, and to establish a
common ground free of unnatural actions, superiority, or deference. Smile andspeak
in a
quiet voice. Remember there are many
citizens and a great number may not reside in the locale and therefore do not recognize
the uniforms. A greeting and identification of the agency represented are
important, not only to the violator, but to the success of the contact.
2.
Identification of driver and check
of conditions of violator & vehicle:
The officer should identify every
violator stopped by requesting his/her driver's license. If the subject does
not have license, the officer should ask for
other identification, preferably one
that carries the subject's description. If the
subject has none, the officer should
write down a brief description of the person: age, height, weight, eyes, hair, marks,
and address. The officer, after identifying the
subject, should call him/her by name
during the remainder of the interview. Should a violator hand an operator's
license to the officer in a purse or billfold, have him/her remove the license
him-/herself so that no accusations can be made about loss of
money or important papers. A close
comparison should be made between the description of the individual and the description
of the subject on the driver's license. Also ask to see the violators
insurance.
3.
Statement of violation committed:
The officers owe the driver the
courtesy of telling him/her at once the reason s/he has been stopped. This step
should emphasize the seriousness of the violation and serve to create a proper
effect upon the violator. If the case is one of speeding, the officers should
ascertain whether attending circumstances might morally justify such speed to a
normal, prudent person. After being told of the violation for which s/he has
been stopped, the question, "Is there any reason for your excessive rate
of speed?", offers the subject an opportunity to justify his/her actions if
a reason
exists, and if none, places him/her
in a position of admitting the violation. However, with the above exception,
one should refrain from asking questions concerning the subject's knowledge of
the violation committed. Remarks made by the officer should be in the form of a
statement rather than a question.
4.
Statement of action to be taken:
The officer should make a clear
statement, in a firm but calm manner, which will leave no doubt as to the
action planned. Example: "You will be charged with the offense of speeding
in the Justice of the Peace Court in Austin.
You will be given ten (10) days
(Specify Procedure) in which to answer this charge. You are going to be charged
with the offense of passing with insufficient clearance. You will be warned for
the violation that you have
committed. A record of this
violation has been made and we ask that you cooperate by driving your vehicle
in compliance with traffic regulations." Patrol officers should practice
the technique of refraining from using the work "I" during the
violator interview. Place the emphasis on the violator, and the violation
committed, by using the word "you". When the patrol officer states
that, "I am going to...", the action shifts from the violation
committed to the action to be taken by the officer and affords the violator an
opportunity to shift the blame from the offense committed to the action taken
by the arresting officer. When the "you" technique is practiced, much
unpleasantness is avoided.
5.Take that action:
Write the citation, take the
violator into custody, or call his/her attention to the seriousness of the
violation and possible consequences (warning), therefore performing the action
in the manner the officer has decided.
6.Explain what the violator must
do:
Explain to the violator exactly what
action s/he must take. That is, s/he must get into the patrol car, follow the
patrol car, appear at a certain court by a certain time and before a certain Magistrate,
or refrain from repeating the violation. A short explanation serves to dispel
much uncertainty in the mind of the violator. Make the explanation clear and be
sure the violator understands. Remember, s/he may not be familiar with the
courts and the locations involved as you are. A little extra time here may
result in more appearances on time and less warrant service.
7.Leave:
Closing the contact with the
violator is awkward for many officers. It is an opportunity to create a feeling
of friendliness if the proper technique is used. Gloating
attitude should be avoided. An
expression of real friendliness by the officer and an attitude of helpfulness and
service is desired. Do not overdo it, however; the
officer should never give the
subject any reason to think that s/he is sorry for giving the violator a ticket
and that s/he now wishes to "oil the water". The leave taking should be
as firm and impersonal as the approach. A "Good Afternoon" or
"Be Careful" spoken in a sincere, yet business-like tone is
sufficient. When the violator
contact has been broken, immediately
return to the patrol car.
FILLING
OUT THE CITATION
Explorers should stand in a position
of safety when filling out the citation. It is a good practice for the primary officer
to go back to the patrol car and stand on the passenger side behind the open
passenger door. The door will provide protection should an incident occur. As a
good rule, Explorers should approach together (one on each side) and leave
together when making contact with the violators.
RUNNING
DRIVERS LICENSE CHECKS:
Secondary officers should handle all
radio traffic. The primary officer should maintain contact with the violator is
the violator is outside of the vehicle and the primary officer should write the
ticket. When advising dispatch, the license number, also advise them of the
name and date of birth. This will ensure dispatch runs the correct number and
matches it to the name given.
REMOVING
OCCUPANTS FROM THE VEHICLE:
When asking occupants to get out of
the vehicle, Explorers should:
1)Always be in a position to respond
to an aggressive act.
2)Walk tactfully; never turn you
back on a violator.
3)Always have enough Explorers to
have at least a one on one contact with a violator.
4)Always
stand in a safe place. Usually in the grass off the side
of the shoulder or on the side of
the police
car opposite of the traffic.
5)Never
stand between the violator and the traffic; you may get pushed into traffic!
MISDEMEANOR
ARRESTS:
Always confirm warrants before
making an arrest. Use standard arrest practices when making a misdemeanor arrest.
Do not over react and do a felony take down on someone who did not pay a
traffic ticket. Make sure the arrest takes place in a safe area, not close to
traffic.
CONDUCTING
AN AUTOMOBILE SEARCH:
Where there has been a stop of an
automobile, the officer stopping the automobile may make a protective search of
the passenger compartment of the automobile if the officer possesses reasonable
suspicion that the vehicle contains weapons potentially dangerous to the officer.
The investigative search extends to those parts of the passenger compartment in
which a weapon may be placed or hidden. Just because there is a stop of an
automobile does not mean the officer may conduct an investigative search.
An individual may be stopped for a
traffic offense, and the officer may see items in plain view such as drugs or drug
paraphernalia or evidence of other crime. This would give the officer probable
cause to believe that other evidence is located in the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle
can be searched there or it can be taken to the police station where a search
of the entire vehicle may be made.
An arresting officer may make a
warrantless search of the interior of a car at the time and place of arrest if
there is probable cause to arrest one of the occupants. The scope of the search
can be extended to the entire automobile if there is probable cause to believe
there is evidence in the trunk or under the hood. The warrantless search need
not take place where the arrest of the occupant took place if there is a valid
reason for conducting the search at another place such as at the police
station.
When an individual is stopped for a
robbery and the driver is arrested and taken to the police station, the car may
also be taken to the police station. If the robbery has recently taken place,
there may be probable cause to believe the car contains evidence of the
robbery, and it may be searched at the police station.
EXPLORERS
SHOULD DO THE FOLLOWING WHEN SEARCHING A VEHICLE:
Ensure a safe search
Do not let the violators near the
car when searching
Always have an Explorer stand with a
violator when the search is taking place.
Pat down the violator before doing a
vehicle search.
Be aware of traffic around you
Don’t leave a vehicle door hanging
open.
CONFRENTATIONAL
DRIVERS
Handle drivers with negative
attitudes appropriately. When the driver or occupants are hostile, minimize the
potential for escalation by ignoring their attitudes and concentrate on the
driving behavior and getting the violator to respond to your requests. Also,
continually reinforce that you are taking this action to correct the driving
behavior and not because of other personal reasons.
Use your training in crisis
intervention and other intervention techniques to deescalate the problem. For
example, if the violator begins yelling, talk softly so he may quiet down.
Remain polite and professional at
these times, even if the incident escalates to an arrest. There will be fewer
problems if violators and suspects are treated fairly.
If questioned about a specific
procedure or action, you may say, it’s a state law or it’s an agency policy.
This indicates that the officer’s action has a legal or procedural basis and
that the action is not being taken for some personal reason.
If drivers make claims of unfair
treatment, politely inform them how to make a complaint to the agency or your supervisor.
DURING
SUSPICIOUS OR FELONIOUS STOPS:
When asking for a consent search,
use a tone of voice that suggests this--such as having a number of officers
standing close to the driver that may be intimidating and void the legality of the
search.
Remember, the driver may withdraw
the consent for a search at any time.
Treat drivers under suspicion
professionally. It is known that even drivers under suspicion will respond more
openly and talk more freely if treated with courtesy. This
will also be less stressful for the
officer.
If a legal search yields nothing,
thank the driver for his or her cooperation. If the search resulted in
disruption to the vehicle, such as removal of cover plates, panels, or seats,
put the items back the way you found them, unless the driver insists on doing
it. It may be appropriate to explain why the search was conducted.
If the incident escalates to a
felony stop, continue to treat the driver and passengers professionally.
Felony Traffic Stop
Explorers should follow the same
radio procedures as doing a misdemeanor stop and request back-up and a hold on the
radio traffic. The stop should be done in a safe location out of traffic and
away from pedestrians. Be away that suspects me run, so include that in
determining where the stop should be made.
Once the vehicle is stopped
Explorers should take the following positions:
Unit #1Explorer Driver:
Uses the public address system and
gives commands to the vehicle occupants. This Explorer also assists with the
vehicle search at the end of the occupant removal.
Explorer Rider: Arresting Explorer and
is the radio operator. This Explorer should also be the Explorer that checks out
with dispatch for the traffic stop.
Unit #2 Explorer Driver:
Arresting Explorer
Explorer Rider: Vehicle Search
Explorer
Use your car as cover. Position
stoplights on the suspect vehicle to blind the suspects. Use spotlights even
during the daytime.
Commands
to give suspects:
Announce yourself and reason for the
stop (example: This is the Houston Police; you are driving a stolen vehicle)
Announce actions to be taken
(example: All occupants in the vehicle are under arrest. All occupants of the
vehicle place your hands on top of your head)
Direct
your commands:
Driver only, turn off the car and
drop the keys on the ground, do it now! (always follow up commands with “do it
now”
Driver only, take your seat belt off
and open the car door, do it now.
Driver only, get out of the car and
face away from us, do it now.
Driver only, with your left hand,
lift your up your shirt, do it now.
Driver only, turn around in a
complete circle, do it now.
Driver only, take three steps
backward, do it now. (Explorer should not say “walk back to the sound of my voice”
The suspect may not go in t
he direction you want them to.
Instead, Explorers should order the
suspect to “take three steps” back
or right etc. This will get the suspect to the location of your choosing.)
Have the suspect back up to about
the front tires or front bumper area of the
patrol car. At this point of time
the Explorer Rider in Unit #1 will take over the commands using only his voice,
not the PA. Explorer Driver in unit #2 will make the first arrest. Follow the
same procedures in making a felony arrest as written in the Use of Force
Concepts chapter of this manual. Do a brief pat down for weapons at the arrest
location. Then tactfully walk the arrested to the rear of the patrol cars and
do a thorough search behind the trunk.
ASK
QUESTIONS
Ask the arrested questions such as:
How many people are in the car?
Are there any weapons?
Don’t forget to read the arrested
their Miranda rights.
Once the scene is secure you can
investigate the crime or allegations and
make confirmation of the stole
vehicle of the correct suspects.
Don’t forget to confirm all warrants
and all stolen hits before finalizing the
arrest.
Remove all other occupants giving
similar commands. Wait until the arrest team is back in place before removing the
next suspect.
Advance Team
Explorer Driver Unit #1
Explorer Rider Unit #2
After all of the occupants are out
of the vehicle, the advance team should advance on the vehicle tactfully and quickly.
If a suspect is found hiding in the vehicle, the advance team should retreat to
the cover of their patrol units and start the process over. If the suspect does
not respond and all other options have been exhausted, the advance team can
advance again on the vehicle and use force to remove the suspect.
- J.B. Blocker is a media consultant based in Collin County in North Texas. Advertise with J.B. by calling 469-334-9962.
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