NCJ Number
58475
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 27 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1979) Pages: 46-48,50-51
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
TECHNIQUES TO BE USED BY TWO-MAN POLICE PATROL TEAMS DURING TRAFFIC STOPS ARE PRESENTED IN THIS ARTICLE FROM LAW AND ORDER MAGAZINE.
Abstract
DURING A TRAFFIC STOP, THE POTENTIAL OFFENDER HAS AN ADVANTAGE OVER THE OFFICERS OF A TWO-MAN TEAM IN HIS ABILITY TO CHOOSE THE PRECISE POINT WHERE THE STOP WILL OCCUR. AN OFFENDER CAN ASSUME AN EFFECTIVE FIRING POSITION SOONER THAN THE OFFICERS AND MAY EVEN BE ABLE TO START SHOOTING BEFORE THE OFFICERS CAN OPEN THE DOORS OF THE PATROL CAR. FOR THESE REASONS, OFFICERS MUST BE ABLE TO MAKE MAXIMUM USE OF THE MOBILITY, CONCEALMENT, AND COVER AVAILABLE FROM THEIR PATROL CAR AND MUST BE WELL TRAINED IN THE ACCURATE USE OF THEIR FIREARMS. BECAUSE MANY FIREARMS ARE CAPABLE OF SHOOTING THROUGH CAR DOORS, THE DOORS SHOULD NOT BE RELIED ON TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE COVER. TO MAKE USE OF THE GREATER PROTECTION OF THE CAR'S BODY, OFFICERS OF A TWO-MAN TEAM SHOULD APPROACH THE VEHICLE OF A POTENTIAL OFFENDER FROM BEHIND, AND THE CAR SHOULD BE TURNED RIGHT AT A 40 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE OFFENDER'S VEHICLE. FROM THIS TACTICAL STOP POSITION THE OFFICER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CAN MAKE A RAPID EXIT FROM THE CAR AND COVER HIMSELF WITH THE RIGHT WHEEL AND SIDE OF THE CAR. THE DRIVER OF THE PATROL CAR CAN LEAN OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE BEING COVERED BY THE DASHBOARD AND MAKE THE APPROPRIATE USE OF THE POLICE RADIO. IF SUSPECTS HAVE TAKEN COVER BEHIND THEIR VEHICLE, ONE OF THE OFFICERS SHOULD ASSUME A PRONE POSITION BEHIND THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF THE PATROL CAR AND, IF NECESSARY, SHOOT AT THE FEET OF THE SUSPECTS WITHOUT EXPOSING HIMSELF TO RETURN FIRE. ADDITIONALLY, OFFICERS SHOULD AVOID USING THE CAR HOOD AS A SHOOTING REST, BUT RATHER STAY CONCEALED AND EXPOSE THEMSELVES SPARINGLY. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)