NCJ Number
45870
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
GETTING THE ATTENTION OF THE VIOLATOR, SELECTING THE STOP LOCATION, MAKING THE STOP, APPROACHING THE VIOLATOR, AND INTERACTING WITH THE VIOLATOR ARE DISCUSSED, ALONG WITH ALTERNATIVES FOR ACTION.
Abstract
TURNING ON THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS OF THE POLICE VEHICLE, SWITCHING ON THE HEADLIGHTS, AND TAPPING THE HORN ARE THE STEPS RECOMMENDED FOR GAINING THE ATTENTION OF THE TRAFFIC VIOLATOR. SHOULD THESE STEPS FAIL TO ACHIEVE THAT END, PULLING ALONGSIDE THE VIOLATOR'S CAR IN THE ADJOINING LANE AND MOTIONING FOR A PULLOVER IS RECOMMENDED. THE SELECTION OF A STOP LOCATION SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE TRAFFIC PATTERNS ON THE ROAD BEING TRAVELED SO AS NOT TO OBSTRUCT THE FREE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. BEFORE EXITING HIS VEHICLE, THE OFFICER IS UGED TO INFORM THE DISPATCHER OF A DESCRIPTION OF THE CAR AND ITS OCCUPANTS, AS WELL AS THE LOCATION OF THE STOP. A BACKUP UNIT SHOULD BE REQUESTED UNDER SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. THE OFFICER SHOULD APPROACH THE VIOLATOR'S VEHICLE WITH REASONABLE CAUTION, AND HE SHOULD STAND JUST BEHIND THE DRIVER'S DOOR. INTERACTION WITH THE VIOLATOR SHOULD BE IMPERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL, AND CHARACTERIZED BY TACT AND DISCRETION. WARNING, CITATION, AND ARREST ARE DISCUSSED AS THE AVAILABLE DISCRETIONARY ACTIONS WHICH COULD BE TAKEN BY THE OFFICER. A DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR USE WITH THE PUBLICATION AND A QUESTION AND ANSWER SECTION ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ARE ALSO INCLUDED. (RCB)