CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM CONDUCTING BASIC TRAFFIC STOPS

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial EducationCriminal 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 EducationCriminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops ANGRY ANGRY VERBALLY ANGRY / PHYSICALLY ANGRY 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 EducationCriminal 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 EducationCriminal 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 EducationCriminal 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 EducationCriminal 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 EducationCriminal 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 EducationCriminal 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 EducationCriminal 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 EducationCriminal 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 EducationCriminal 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 EducationCriminal 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 EducationCriminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops VERIFY INFORMATION Advise Dispatch of DL # & Race Await returns while observing occupants

(c) Texas Trade and Industrial EducationCriminal Justice: Basic Traffic Stops ACTION Warrants? Free and Clear? Identifying occupants if driver is arrested Searching vehicle Impounding vehicle Clearing the scene