An overview of

the tactical
dimension by
Randy Gonzalez

Law Enforcement Traffic Stop

Operations
Traffic Stops & Officer Safety Issues

Every vehicular traffic stop must be considered with care and cautious calculation.
Appropriate tactics and techniques should be skillfully utilized every time a car is
stopped. No situation or event should be considered as either "routine" or "safe."

It is incumbent upon every officer to ensure to the maximum extent possible officer
safety considerations. A tactical mindset is required for each encounter, as well as
the ability to carry out the day-to-day duties of a law enforcement officer.

A proper mental attitude is crucial to effective and efficient vehicle pullovers,

regardless of the time of day, day of the week or location of the stop. Regardless of
what we see on television, in the movies, hear from the news media, or receive from
public perceptions, law enforcement is a dangerous occupation.

No matter where you work or when you put on the uniform, you become a
potential target for those who are ready, willing, and able to challenge your
authority.
Build a tactical mindset
This means proper mental attitude, training, tactics, tools, techniques, and skill
development so that the mind, body, and spirit harmonize into a unified system of
proficiency.

Proper Planning
Prevents Poor Performance
Learn from each encounter and practice various scenarios. Training in proper tactics
and techniques are crucial to the development of traffic stop planning and
implementation. It is essential that you control and take command of your vehicle
pullover operations. Proper planning is important to vehicular interdiction activities.

Having the right mindset relates the right behavior and the right attitude. It means
making the effort to enhance personal abilities and effectiveness at every
opportunity. A tactical mindset is one of discipline, devotion, and duty to the calling
of a career in law enforcement.
Two essential ingredients include: Living life by a Code of Ethical Precepts and Exhibiting the
Behavior of a Professional…..

A tactical mindset concerns how one lives and prepares for dealing with both life and death.
The concept is a chivalrous notion of competence and confidence in doing the job correctly and
safely. Situations in life and work must be dealt with in a manner that suggests maturity, values, and
intelligence.

You must know what you are doing, and you must do the right thing in every instance.

This involves a process of ongoing training and learning that is dynamically consistent in both quality
and quantity.

And, you must bear in mind the necessity of a rock solid belief system. This is crucial to dealing with
the real world and all its challenges. One's belief system is part of the survival mechanism that we
carry into each situation we face.
 Safety and Security at all Times
Along with the development of a tactical mindset, officer survival considerations are very important.
Tactical skill building is an important aspect of the officer's job.
Each year, officers are killed and seriously injured on and off duty. Every effort must be made to ensure
that you strive for safety and security at all times.
No activity of a police nature should ever be treated as a 'routine' endeavor. A healthy sense of
caution is necessary to the various aspects of officer survival issues.
We must constantly work to maximize to every extent possible the ways, means, and technology to
increase the chances of our survival.
This is especially true with regard to vehicle pullovers. Traffic stop operations are important to the patrol
mission. Yet, every year a number of officers are injured and killed while in the process of conducting a
lawful traffic stop.
• Remember, no assignment can be approached as harmless or absolutely safe. A healthy sense of
caution must be exercised at all times.
• It should be noted that assaults against officers have occurred during both daylight and nighttime
hours. Confrontations are not restricted by time, location, environment, day of the week or month of
the year.
• The potential threat from a driver, as well as the passengers in the car, cannot always be quickly
determined in advance. It is difficult to know the exact intentions of the vehicle's occupants at all
times.
• It is essential that the traffic stop be controlled to every extent possible.
• According to some, every approach to a traffic stop situation should be viewed as a "tactical
exercise" no matter what the circumstances of the people involved.
The planning and practice of good proactive tactics sets the stage for effective and efficient
performance. Vehicle traffic stops require the building of proper actions that become the basis for
consistent performance.
You should strive to fine-tune your tactics and techniques by developing good strategies. This
means strategies that are practical and make sense in actual use.
We must be alert to so called experts whose suggestions may not work in the real world of law
enforcement. Workable practical strategies must be supported by a well-sharpened tactical
mindset. Within this realm of mental discipline, you must consider the multiple aspects of your
surroundings at all times.
Vehicle traffic stops concern a multi-dimensional process that places demands on mental agility
and physical responsiveness. You must endeavor to be aware of your personal safety strategies
and practices on a regular basis.
Avoid Tactical Errors
• A positive mental attitude is critical to every action taken.
• Avoid 'pseudo-courage', or 'false bravado' in approaching dangerous traffic stops.
• Whenever possible, take up an effective tactical position and posture to the objective.
• Practice the necessity of good positioning, posture, observation, and sensory awareness.
• Learn how to read people, places, and things in evaluating each situation.
• Watch body movements, listen for verbal clues, and be attentive to facial expressions.
• Keep yourself at a heightened state of readiness when dealing with tactical situations.
• Know how to use all of your tools, equipment, and support materials.
This includes proper handcuffing and ensuring that all equipment is in good working order.
• Execute proper arrest tactics, be careful about body proxemics, subject/officer distance,
searching, and so forth.
• Avoid snap judgments and faulty assumptions that lead to erroneous conclusions.
Proper Preparation
Officer safety considerations should automatically dictate the careful assessment of each situation.
Safety and security always come first in every action we take. And, while no tactical approach is
absolutely foolproof, proper planning is essential. There is no substitute for good officer survival
techniques. We must bear in mind that no two incidents are exactly the same. Each stop must be
analyzed in view of all the aspects that are known at the time.

We must as objectively as possible skillfully develop our investigation, noting as much detail as
possible. The mind must be focused on the totality of the environment, the people involved, the
location, and relevant associated factors. Our body and spirit must be ready and prepared. Success
favors the prepared officer.

In fact, before the stop is even executed, a significant amount of investigative action should take
place. Before you ever started your tour of duty, proper preparation for an eventual traffic stop
should have already begun at the basic level.
Tactical Preparedness
• Mental-physical-spiritual conditioning and personal self-discipline.
• Tactical and technical preparedness, as well as readiness to do the job.
• Weapons-tools proficiency, including proper maint-enance and servicing.
• Firearms training and enhanced of shooting skills, with handgun, shotgun, and rifle.
• Knowledge of various types of weapons and firearms in general usage.
• Personal safety and protection tactics and techniques, including martial arts training.
• Good fitness practices coupled with stress management strategies.
• Training -practice with equipment , including legal updates, vehicle operations, etc.
• Proper mental attitude in dealing with people, places, and situations. Understanding body
language, spatial assessments, and visual acuity.
We should be reminded and consider some of the patterns of behavior that could result in faulty
judgments and subsequent actions:
• Lack of coordination among officers during the traffic stop.
• Poor communication at the scene of the incident.
• Lack of a good action plan on scene in conducting the traffic stop.
• Impulsiveness in action without regard for officer safety.
• Dividing up partners that increase odds in favor of suspects.
• Lack of command presence.
• Failing to assert control as well as being assertive.
• Careless, complacent, and failure to call for backup.
Overconfidence in actions.
 Legal Considerations
When conducting vehicle pullovers, we must keep in mind the potential involvement of the car in
various criminal activities. From drugs to homicides, the vehicle represents an important aspect of
proper law enforcement investigations.

A lawful search of a car, during the course of traffic stop operations, may open the door to other
illegal activities. Conducting a lawful search in the first place is absolutely essential. As such, the
car becomes a mobile crime scene. It may contain items of contraband of one nature or another
or relevant crime scene evidence pertinent to a case under investigation.

Regardless of the situation, we must consider treating the motor vehicle as a possible crime
scene. It is a crime scene that can move from one location to another, change its appearance,
conceal weapons, be used as a weapon, and hide drugs as well as other items of evidence.
 Probable Cause
While there is no statutory definition of probable cause, there are some basic definitions that have
been recommended. From beginning to end of the entire incident in question, probable cause is
built upon a "totality of circumstances" and the evidence discovered, as well as the person or person
involved. It represents information from physical evidence, witnesses, suspects, informants, etc. As
such, probable cause for arrest has been suggested to be, during the course of a lawful inquiry, a
reasonable person, given the facts suggesting a crime has been committed, and a person in
question has committed such crime, an arrest is warranted.
 Basic Search Considerations
During each traffic stop, the officer must carefully weigh all the facts of the case. An officer should
evaluate all the aspects of each situation. Proper planning and preparation are important in traffic stop
situations. A good working knowledge of search and seizure applications, agency policies, statutory and
case law requirements, etc. are crucial to the lawful traffic stop responsibilities.
• Consider whether or not probable cause exists in the first place prior to carrying out any
searches operations of a vehicle.
• Evaluate the decision to search the entire car or just particular locations or containers within the
car; whether or not K-9 is needed;
• Know the standard operating procedures of the agency with regard to search and seizures as
well as an inventory procedure for impounded vehicles.
• Be familiar with current search and seizure concepts as they apply to vehicle traffic stops.
• Use proper officer safety and traffic stop techniques that maximize the utilization of proper
procedures, and effective interpersonal communications skills;
• Consider the issuance of written warnings or uniform traffic citation as appropriate to the
particular situation, as may be implicated by court decisions.
• Exercise appropriate documentation of all actions taken at the scene and be able to fully
articulate the actions taken.
 Systematic Searching
• Searching a vehicle should be considered as a comprehensive process.
• The search must be a lawful process and well-planned in application.
• All related paperwork (i.e. consent, warrant, warrantless, etc.) and documentation must be
carefully developed.
• A systematic approach supported by sound thinking and articulation should be used.
• Consideration should be given to working from the outside to the inside in a thorough well-
managed process of discovery.
• Good tactical habits should be employed in every search situation. Officer safety should always
be a priority.
• Proper protection should be worn when conducting the examination of interior and exterior areas.
• The search should take into consideration the type of vehicle being searched. Such as car, truck,
motor home, semi-tractor trailer, and so forth.
• The examination of the car should be cautious, and the officer should not be in a rush to discover
evidence.
 Plan A Tactical Approach
A tactical plan in the approach to a vehicle is important. Every officer must make the effort to ensure
his or her personal safety and security at the scene of every traffic investigation. Personal security is
essential in the application of vehicle pullover tactics. Only as a last resort when forced to do so
should an officer make a potentially dangerous stop alone.

If there are any clues whatsoever to danger, backup officers should be summoned immediately. In
such cases, the officer should take up a position of surveillance and assume a defensive posture while
waiting for backup officers to arrive. Superiority of numbers is essential. Good training and practice,
maintenance of equipment and weapons, and proper tactics and skill development should support
the fundamental basics of good vehicle pullover operations. Every officer should be thoroughly aware
of the fatal errors that have cost officers their lives during stops
 Fatal Tactical Errors
Poor Attitude False Courage Not enough rest
Bad Tactical Position Misreading People Faulty thinking
Failing to watch hands Missing Danger Clues Too Relaxed
Not Serious About Mission Not Controlling Scene Distracted
Improper Tactics Improper Handcuffing Poor Search
Not Searching Properly Failing to Train No Backup
Inoperative Equipment No Command Presence
 Officer Safety Considerations
Beware of Personal Negative Behavior Patterns

• Lack of Practice and Training

• Failure to Plan Properly
• Poor Physical and Mental Fitness
• Lack of Secure Belief System
• Failure to Develop Contingency Plans
• Inadequate or No Backup Support
• Faulty Thinking and Reasoning Processes
• Acting Too Quickly
• Failure to be Assertive and Taking Control
• Lack of Command Presence
• Carelessness
• Dividing Up Forces
• Fallacies of Inference
• Overconfident and Oppressive Behavior
• Ineffective Interpersonal Communication Skills
• Adopting Inadequate Tactics and Techniques
• Failure to Read Verbal and Non-Verbal Cues

A low risk stop can become a high-risk stop in a matter of seconds. Any stop can be a high-risk situation at any time
and at any place. The potential for violence can occur the minute you pull behind someone and start your pre-
stop procedures. The very essence of the traffic stop is the ability to control each aspect of the situation at hand.
 Make sure your tactics fit the nature of the area in which
you are operating. Radio dispatch should be fully aware
of where you are and what you are doing during the
entire time of the traffic operation. Leave nothing to
guesswork. Think officer safety and all times.

Never rush in or be in a hurry to get the car stop over

with. Take your time and make sure you scan the car,
the people in the car, and the area of the stop. Note
the need for cover and concealment, as well as
those things that may be dangerous.

Regardless of the situation, type of car, description of the

occupants, or the location of the stop, every traffic
enforcement activity should be treated as a tactical
exercise. Each officer should adopt a good "tactical
mindset" that sufficiently reflects a good "officer survival"
orientation.
 On Approach….

• Watch for body movements, shoulder shift, and hand gestures inside the car or other type of vehicle.

• Avoid the tendency to get out of the patrol car too fast without making careful observations.

• Be prepared for the driver or passenger to get out and try to come back to your patrol car.

• Observe and evaluate occupants' facial expressions, excited mannerisms, and any concern they may exhibit
regarding your presence at the scene.

• Make observations about the car and its condition (license plate, truck, exterior condition, etc.).

• Ensure that sufficient information reaches the radio dispatch communications center as soon as possible.

• Never make a traffic stop without informing radio dispatch communications.

 Tactical Readiness

1. Develop effective tactical readiness with good personal security countermeasures.

2. Train to the highest level possible with good mental/physical conditioning program.
3. Think and plan in terms of skillful preparedness for every aspect of life.
4. Develop proficient skills with all weapons and tools on a regular basis.
5. Study and practice various aspects of the martial arts to develop defensive tactics skills.
6. Know, understand, and practice proper first responder techniques.
7. Ensure proper planning prevents poor performance in application of basic tactical skills.
8. Stay alert to intuitive decision making skills in response to a range of situations and applications.
9. Understand that lack of training, careless actions, and false confidence can lead to disaster.
10. Consider hypothetical scenarios and develop decision-making skills.
11. Review previous situations and analyze the results.
12. Implement a personal stress reduction program and include sufficient relaxation and rest.
13. Inspect and ensure proper functioning of all tools and supplies to carry out each duty day.
14. Off duty maintain an effective state of awareness for personal security and safety.
15. Have a set of various action plans ready at all times.
 Think Safety and Security
 Develop and utilize your tactical mindset in every situation you encounter. Be especially cautious of traps and setups that people may
be planning. Train hard to make each encounter work in your favor. Develop skill and proficiency in your tactical abilities.
 Simply because a situation appears harmless or a minor problem, do not assume it is. Avoid easily observable habits others may be
watching and plotting. Adjust and adapt your tactics to the situation at hand. Always watch for suspicious actions and movements.
 Practice good interview techniques and ask questions. Plan your approach to each situation with care and caution. Be prepared to
execute your plan of action immediately if things change adversely. Use your intuitive abilities. Stay alert to danger clues.
 On your approach think officer survival. Make sure you have a clear objective in mind that defines your mission. Do the unexpected
and seize the initiative when necessary.
Note the following:
 Stay alert
 Use caution
 Evaluate the situation
 Use cover, concealment, and camouflage
 Think command, control, and communications
 Be alert to the terrain and environment
 Stop, look, listen, and observe details
 Coordinate the effective use of backups
 Be aware of cross-fire situations
 Know that your equipment is ready
 Maintain peak alertness
 Be ready for a low risk situation to become high risk
 Use good tactics
 Be physically and mentally fit