criminal justice program conducting basic traffic stops

CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM

CONDUCTING BASIC TRAFFIC CONDUCTING BASIC TRAFFIC STOPSSTOPS

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial Education Criminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops

PERSONALITY TRAITS Non-Responsive Passive Emotional/Crying Verbally Angry Physically Angry Totally Compliant Racially Motivated Combination of any or

all

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial Education Criminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops

VERBALLY ANGRYANGRY / PHYSICALLY ANGRYANGRY Driver jumps out the

car and starts walking/running towards you as soon as he/she pull over

Driver is calm initially but nervous

Driver becomes angry and violent when given citation

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial Education Criminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops

TOTAL COMPLIANCE Driver is calm Driver is cooperative Driver supplies all information Driver complies with all of your

requests

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial Education Criminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops

RACIALLY MOTIVATED Driver immediately verbally assaults you

because of your race Driver is very defensive because of

his/her race Driver is uncooperative due to racial

accusations as PC for stop

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial Education Criminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops

COMBINATION Be prepared for any combination of

personal reactions Control your own emotions Remain professional at all times Be respectful regardless Remember safety first

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial Education Criminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops

INITIATING A TRAFFIC STOP Make sure you have

PROBABLE CAUSE If driver is acting

suspicious develop PROBABLE CAUSE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION

Never pull a driver over without PROBABLE CAUSE

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial Education Criminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops

LET DISPATCH KNOW NEVER initiate a traffic stop without

someone knowing about it Contact Dispatch and advise license plate,

make and color of offender’s vehicle Tell Dispatch your location Tell Dispatch how many occupants

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial Education Criminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops

ACTION BEFORE THE STOP

Wait for the license plate return (10/28)

Wait for the “Wanted” return (10/29)

Observe all of the occupants’ actions

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial Education Criminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops

THE STOP Prepare for the stop Activate your overheads Be prepared for immediate action from the

driver Observe occupants as the driver pulls to a

stop Watch all traffic as you exit your vehicle If night time, activate proper lighting

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial Education Criminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops

APPROACH TO VEHICLE Make sure you have all your equipment Vary your approach Be aware of traffic Watch occupants and mirrors CHECK THE TRUNK Check your stance at the driver’s door

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial Education Criminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops

CONTACT Be aware of all occupants’ activity Advise driver of your PROBABLE CAUSE Ask driver for DL and Proof of Financial

Responsibility Look for contraband in PLAIN VIEW

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial Education Criminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops

RETURNING TO PATROL VEHICLE

Walk back to your car while keeping occupants in view

Be aware of traffic Re-check the trunk

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial Education Criminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops

VERIFY INFORMATION

Advise Dispatch of DL # & Race

Await returns while observing occupants

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial Education Criminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops

ACTION Warrants? Free and Clear? Identifying occupants if driver is arrested Searching vehicle Impounding vehicle Clearing the scene