Comments on: Traffic Stop Survival: Tips for Police Officers on Staying Safe

By: police officer

police officer — Sat, 22 May 2010 12:23:02 +0000

I AM A POLICE OFFICER OF OVER NINE YEARS AND THESE RULES ARE GOOD RULES TO FOLLOW. IF I MIGHT MAKE A SUGGESTION, ON A TRAFFIC STOP YOU ARE COMMONLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. WHEN YOU PLACE YOUR PATROL CAR AT THE DESIRED LOCATION, 15 FEET BACK WITH A 50% OVERLAP OF THE STOPPED VEHICLE, IF YOU CUT YOUR FRONT WHEELS TO THE RIGHT YOU WILL PREVENT YOUR VEHICLE FROM BEING PUSHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC IF HIT FROM THE REAR. YOUR VEHICLE SHOULD, IDEALLY, GO OFF THE ROADWAY, THE VEHICLE THAT STRUCK YOU SHOULD VEAR TO THE LEFT AND GIVE MORE PROTECTION TO YOU, WHILE YOU ARE MAKING CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER OF THE STOPPED VEHILCE, AND TO THE STOPPED VEHICLE AS WELL. JUST A THOUGHT.

By: HAWAII50

HAWAII50 — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:45:04 +0000

Here’s another tip that I use while I’m on a traffic stop by myself at night especially in the boonies. I tell them “Sir/Maam, give me a couple of minutes, and as soon as my PARTNER is done writing the citation, I’ll get you on your way” This makes them think twice before doing something stupid because in their mind they are dealing with two officers instead of one. They can’t see you don’t have a partner because of all the emergency lights, spotlights…, be safe

By: Future L.E.O

Future L.E.O — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:01:10 +0000

I just finished B.L.E.T and am about to join the local sheriffs office and I found all of these tips valuable and I hope to post oneday myself. Thanks for the good advice.

By: Vince

Vince — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 06:47:16 +0000

When approaching vehicles that have multiple individuals, as a rule I advise keeping your pistol OUT and LOW behind your right or rear pocket (depending on your orientation in using a gun!) and most times the occupants never see it, and it’s there if God forbid I need it.

I use this technique to make squirelly drug suspects stop IMMEDIATELY their furtive, concealitory movements!

STRONGLY ADVISE THIS FOR LATE NIGHT AND SINGLE OFFICER PATROLS.
A motor vehicle stop is the most dangerous interaction an officer will ever have with the public. And as humans, on a daily basis we ALL can get lax, in our “awareness”. I read a QUANTICO study that 75% percent of all felonies involve a MV at some point.

By: Traffic Stop Safety Tips :: Blue Sheepdog

Traffic Stop Safety Tips :: Blue Sheepdog — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:27:02 +0000

[...] offered traffic stop safety tips before, but I’ve put together a few more things that the patrol officer might want to consider when [...]

By: admin

admin — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:46:32 +0000

eJack,

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to add your perspective. I find that a different perspective can bump my thinking up to the next level on a topic.

–Richard

By: eJack

eJack — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:31:44 +0000

Just a quick thought to add. Don’t occupy your shooting hand when you don’t have to.

Here’s an example:
Being a typically toe to the line driver, I don’t get pulled over often (twice to be specific). Once was a speed trap 50 feet past where the speed limit changed from 55 to 35 and I was still going about 55. In that case the officer directed me to a gas station parking lot where a second patrol car was waiting. Everything was by the book.

The other is the more relevant point I wanted to add. While going to a college centered in a pretty bad neighborhood, I left from an aikido class around 2am with some friends planning to go to Denney’s. I was in a separate parking lot so they followed over. After leaving the parking lot, and arriving at Denney’s about a block away a campus PD officer stopped me as I was walking into the restaurant and ordered me to get back in my car. He then approached from the drivers side and asked for my license and registration while shining a maglight in my face. The maglight was in his right hand and his holster was on his right hip. He took the documents with his left hand. As he left, his partner got out of the car and approached the passenger side of my car and again maglight in right hand began scouring my car from the exterior. This went on for around 30 minutes before he returned to his car. The first officer came back with a ticket claiming that I had cut sombody off leaving the parking lot and that was why he had pulled me over. My point isn’t to complain about the obvious BS of the situation. I did that in court. My point is that I was obviously pulled over because leaving the parking lot at 2am in an area full of gang and drug activity was suspicious. Yet, had I intended to harm them, both officers would have been caught off guard and would have to jumble a maglight before getting to his gun.

By: Cody brummett

Cody brummett — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:56:24 +0000

Thanks these tips helped with my paper and with the job I do on the streets

By: Todd

Todd — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:23:23 +0000

I just found this site. I like it with the little I have seen.
I have a ? I have been out of the patrol loop for quite some time. Desesintized if you will. Any input of getting back into the game as a “5%”er. I really would like to step up my game 10yrs and dragging. Would like to hit the patrol again in new form.

Any help would be grately appreciated

By: admin

admin — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 06:16:20 +0000

J – Great comments! Thanks!

By: J

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 05:47:53 +0000

At the begining of the stop, keep your car in drive…wait and watch for any suspicious activity. Most cops get ambushed right at the initiation of the stop, or at the driver’s door. If the suspect jumps out firing, you are already in drive…time to look at the push bumpers and think “front sight” as you run over the bad guy. If you put the car in park too quick, you are stuck to two options, get out and fight (if you have time) or get that car outta park and get away. If you wait and observe in “drive” you are far quicker to react to his actions.

By: GREG FORBES

GREG FORBES — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 15:05:17 +0000

GOOD JOB .I HOPE THE POICE USE IT,STAY SAFE!!!