61 - Traffic Safety - 2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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61 – Traffic Safety Policy & Procedure Page 4 of 19 ii. Description of the vehicle including registration number and state; and iii. If possible, a description of the occupant(s). c. Select a suitable location for making the stop. Consider lighting, sightlines and, wider pavement to create a buffer for officer safety walking to and from the car stopped. Officers should not unnecessarily impede traffic and as needed may be empowered to ask the motorist to move to a location safer for the officer and motorist as well as allowing traffic to flow. d. In stopping the suspect vehicle, guard against evasive action by its operator. e. Approach the vehicle with caution. Varying approach (i.e. passenger side) can make the officer less predictable and safer. This should especially be considered if occupants are moving inside the vehicle stopped. f. Leave emergency lights of the police vehicle flashing to warn traffic and to assist back-up officers (if any) in responding to the scene. Takedown lights and or spotlights should be used when they do not pose a hazard to oncoming traffic and there is an articulable need for the extra lights (i.e. officer safety). g. Emergency lights and wig-wag/ high beam headlights will often blind oncoming traffic, and officers must be aware of this problem. Officers should consider dimming takedown lights and/or spotlights to ease sight issues with oncoming traffic as long as they feel it does not compromise their safety during the stop. h. Position the police cruiser so that it overlaps the stopped vehicle and creates a safety zone for the officer standing at the driver’s door. Turning the wheels of the cruiser may help control the direction the cruiser would move if struck from behind. 4. Felony/High Risk Stops [61.1.7(c)] a. During high-risk felony stops, officers must use extreme caution, employing tactics to minimize the exposure of officers, offenders and the public to danger. b. Preparing for the Stop: i. Officers shall advise the dispatcher of all pertinent information using the radio. ii. Whenever possible, have adequate backup before initiating the stop. iii. Conduct the stop in a safe location away from people, vehicles, and hazards. 5. Dealing with Violators a. All officers shall exercise their good judgment and discretion by taking appropriate enforcement action for each violation of the law witnessed or reported to them.