Most patrol officers conduct traffic stops so frequently that it doesn't require much conscious thought. After recognizing a violation or suspicious circumstance to warrant an enforcement or investigative stop, the officer radios in the location and license plate number and activates the emergency lights. Once the violator vehicle has pulled over, the officer parks and exits the patrol vehicle to approach the driver. It is at this point, when it seems that the driver is compliant, that we tend to let our guard down-sometimes with tragic consequences.
Adherence to basic officer safety protocols is the key to maintaining the tactical advantage. Here are five of the most common tactical errors I see officers commit from the initial approach to the issuance of a citation.
1. Walking between the violator vehicle and your patrol vehicle.
On a busy roadway with a narrow shoulder, approaching from the passenger side is probably your safest bet. The tactical route to take is around the rear of your patrol vehicle. Of course cops are great at finding shortcuts and soon realize that it's easier just to walk in between the vehicles. Most officers will glance over their shoulder to make sure an approaching vehicle isn't going to slam into the back of the patrol vehicle as they're walking between the vehicles.
The problem with taking this shortcut is that it's not just approaching traffic that's a hazard. Remember the guy you just pulled over for having a taillight out? He thinks you know that he just robbed the convenience store in a nearby city. He is watching your approach from his rear view mirror and you're all that's standing between him and going back to prison. If he backs his vehicle suddenly, your options would be limited.
2. Standing in front of the door.
Whether you approach from the driver or passenger side, you should stop short of the door when contacting the occupants of the violator vehicle. The idea is for you to be able to see inside the vehicle without the occupant being able to see you. If the occupant were armed, he would have to turn his body in an unnatural manner to point the gun at you. Chances are, the violator will not be well versed in shooting over his shoulder from a seated position.
Even if the violator is unarmed, he could swing open the door and knock you back, into oncoming traffic.
I've seen officers rest their arms on the door of a violator's vehicle and practically place their head inside the vehicle to speak to the driver. Its easy to imagine what might happen if the driver accelerated suddenly.
3. Communicating with dispatch without using available cover.
Don't run driver license and warrant checks at the driver door! This is a dangerous practice that is bound to get you into trouble someday. Instead, walk back to your patrol vehicle and position yourself either behind the open passenger door or behind the patrol vehicle on the passenger side.
Standing behind the passenger door affords you a clear view of the violator vehicle but offers little cover. Also, since you are relatively close to the violator vehicle, you don't have much time to react to an occupant exiting and approaching you. This position also leaves you little cover in the event an occupant comes out shooting.
Standing behind your vehicle on the passenger side limits your view of he violator vehicle but it provides you better cover (since the engine block is between you and the violator vehicle). This location also places you further from the violator vehicle, which gives you more time to react to a threat.
4. Looking at the lapel mic instead of potential threats.
This is a very common tactical error. For some reason, officers using a lapel mic is tend to look at the mic when communicating with dispatch or other units. I've even seen officers turn their back from the violator vehicle to use their lapel mic. Obviously, taking your eyes off the violator vehicle leaves you vulnerable.
Using your lapel mic tactically takes practice, especially if you've been using it incorrectly for a long time.
5. Standing too close to a suspect holding your pen.
Occasionally, officers have the violator exit the vehicle to sign the citation. When this occurs, many officers stand dangerously close to the violator while the violator is holding the officer's pen and citation holder.
While I'm not suggesting that you make the suspect sign with a crayon, you have to realize that the pen and citation holder are formidable weapons that could be against you. To mitigate this problem, be sure to watch the suspect and step away once the suspect is "armed" with the pen and citation holder.
Setting the pen and citation holder on the trunk of your vehicle and having the suspect place it in the same spot after signing the citation will prevent you having to approach to within lunging distance of the violator to retrieve the items.
Conclusion
Traffic stops are inherently dangerous. Don't allow yourself operate on "auto pilot." Instead, be vigilant and expect the unexpected. Doing so might give you the tactical edge needed to survive an unanticipated violent encounter.