117 lines
5.8 KiB
Plaintext
117 lines
5.8 KiB
Plaintext
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LARGE VEHICLE STOPS
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Standards and accepted procedures for vehicle stops
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involving cars and other passenger vehicles are part of the
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curriculum of most police training academies. But few address
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the techniques to be followed when officers stop large vehicles,
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such as tractor-trailers, utility vans, and buses. With the
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increased use of these types of vehicles to transport drugs and
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other contraband, officers find themselves stopping large
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vehicles more frequently. To ensure maximum protection to
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officers and individuals involved, the North Carolina Division
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of Motor Vehicles Training Section developed a plan detailing the
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mechanics for large vehicle stops.
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LOCATION
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As with stops involving passenger cars, the officer must
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consider many different factors traffic, congestion,
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pedestrians, road conditions, lighting, and the visibility of the
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stopped vehicles to approaching traffic. However, large
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vehicles require other special considerations, which are governed
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by the size, type, and configuration of the vehicle, as well as
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the number of officers available to assist at the stop location.
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The officer must plan the stop to allow the driver sufficient
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time and distance to make a safe stop at a location that provides
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a paved and solid shoulder and enough area to pull the vehicle
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well out of the flow of traffic.
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POSITIONING THE PATROL VEHICLE
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During the daylight hours, the patrol vehicle should be
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offset at an angle with the rear of the vehicle and at least 20
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feet behind it, with the patrol unit's wheels turned hard left.
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This provides a traffic safety cushion, as well as offers the
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officer more protection in case of any hostile acts from the
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occupants of the stopped vehicle.
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At night, the patrol vehicle should be offset to the left of
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the stopped vehicle so as to allow the headlights to illuminate
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the side and cab area.
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With buses, the officers will need to position the patrol
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unit in such a manner as to provide a view down the right side,
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since this is where the doors on most buses are located.
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APPROACHING THE VEHICLE
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Because the drivers of large vehicles are several feet above
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road surface, it is advisable to have the driver exit and walk to
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the rear of the vehicle to be met there by the officer. This
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allows the officer to remain in a safe location while removing
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the ``high ground'' advantage of the driver.
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The officer should ensure that the driver closes the cab
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door to eliminate a traffic hazard. This also requires anyone in
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the cab to open the door before exiting, thereby warning the
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officer of the presence of another individual. Officers also
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need to be watchful of cargo bays and should check to ensure that
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each cargo door is closed.
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If the vehicle has stopped in such a way that the front of
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the vehicle is at an offset angle, then the officer may have to
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exit the patrol car and move to the front of the stopped
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vehicle. While walking the length of the vehicle, the officer
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should use the vehicle's side mirror to observe the driver and
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any activity in the cab. At no time should the officer climb
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onto a cab.
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When stopping a bus, the officer must remember that most
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buses are built low to the ground, making the entire length of
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the vehicle a ``danger'' area since there is no cover or escape
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area. Also, with buses being built low, it is difficult for the
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officer to check under the vehicle to determine if someone is
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moving down the far side.
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VIOLATOR CONTACT
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It is best that the officer maintain a secure position,
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while having the driver approach the officer. The violator
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should be advised of the reason for the stop and asked to produce
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the necessary documentation. The driver should not be allowed to
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return to the vehicle without being accompanied by the officer or
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until the citation has been written.
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CHECKING CARGO AREAS
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If it is necessary to inspect the cargo area, the officer
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should request backup prior to proceeding. The driver of the
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vehicle should open the cargo doors and be the one who moves the
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cargo around. After the cargo door is opened 4 to 6 inches, the
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officer, standing 3 to 4 feet behind the driver, should sweep a
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flashlight inside to check for other individuals who may be in
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the cargo area. If it is clear, the officer can then instruct
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the driver to open the door further and to lock it in an open
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position. Inspection of the cargo area can then proceed
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according to department policy.
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CONCLUSION
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Daily, patrol officers are making traffic stops involving
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large vehicles. Each stop poses a potential danger. Therefore,
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all patrol officers should receive training in the proper
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procedures associated with stopping large vehicles.
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ABOUT THE ARTICLE:
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For more information concerning this subject or lesson plan
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information, contact William D. Dean, Training Officer, North
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Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, 1100 New Bern Ave., Raleigh,
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NC 27697.
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