NCJ Number
190853
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 68 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2001 Pages: 26-30
Date Published
July 2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article presents suggestions for conducting professional traffic stops.
Abstract
The primary reasons for traffic stops are to stop a violation of the law for public safety, to serve as a general deterrent to other drivers, and to modify the driver's future driving behavior. Although most officers have their own way of being professional at traffic stops, the article suggests some techniques, including the following: (1) maintain a self-assured, professional appearance in dress and bearing; (2) at the beginning of the stop, inform drivers why they were stopped; (3) describe the violation in terms of what the vehicle was seen doing, not the driver; (4) avoid asking a series of random challenging questions just to inflict officer control or to intimidate; (5) do not issue a citation or take other action based solely on the driver's attitude; (6) help the driver safely merge back into the traffic flow; (7) reassure children and others in the vehicle who may be frightened by the presence of an officer; (8) have cards written in English and in other appropriate languages that indicate the officer's request for the driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance; (9) be aware of cultural differences; and (10) never base a stop or post-stop actions on race, gender, religion, disabilities, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.