AJ 53 – Police Field Operations

1. AJ 53 –Police Field Operations Chapter 7 – Traffic Direction and Enforcement

2. Traffic Enforcement • Are all peace officers responsible for enforcing traffic laws? • Yes, to varying degrees • Responsibility related to jurisdiction… • Police = city streets • Sheriff = county roads • CHP = state highways

3. Traffic Flow • People expect Law Enforcement to ensure safe and efficient flow of vehicle and pedestrian traffic • How does traffic compare to engineering of streets and roadways? • Time of day • Day of week • Season of the year

4. Traffic Control • Assume a safe-but-visible position • Be prepared to move • Uniform and equipment? • Command Presence • Everyone know you are in charge! • Hand Signals • Clear and concise • Leave no doubts about your directions • Refer to descriptions, p. 230-233 • Whistle?

5. Collision Investigations • Very important investigation/report • Determining primary collision factor, potential fault/liability • Types of Traffic Collisions • Running off the roadway • Even if collision after leaving roadway • Non-collision on the road • Overturned vehicle, sudden braking… • Collision with something else • Vehicle, pedestrian, animal…

6. Collision Investigations (continued) • Pay special attention to the following… • Damage to vehicles, property, etc. • Physical conditions at collision scene • Weather, sun, roadway surface, signage, etc. • Vehicle equipment • Lights, turn signals, brakes, etc. • Location of vehicles, drivers, witnesses • Open flow of traffic as quickly as possible • Follow-up investigation as needed to… • Cite, arrest, complete report

7. Phases of a Traffic Collision • Surprise • Realization that collision may occur • No Escape • Collision becomes inevitable • Maximum Engagement • Actual moment/span of collision • Finale • Event comes to complete stop

8. Quick & Safe Response Code 3? Note Vehicles/People Leaving the Scene Possibility of hit-and-run Set up additional units for traffic control Correct & Safe Placement of Patrol Car Check for Injuries to Involved Parties Provide First Aid Request Medical Assistance as Needed Identify & Separate Drivers Interview out of hearing Interview Witnesses Separately Collision Investigations

9. Emergency Vehicle Operations • When do most law enforcement vehicle accidents occur? • Normal, “routine” driving situations • Emergency conditions require same driving skills as for everyday driving • Special emphasis on defensive driving due to situation, adrenaline, etc. • Nature of situation determines Code 3 response • Injury accident, in-progress crime, etc. • Governed by Dept. Policy • Always be aware of increased risk to public!

10. Seriousness of violation Public safety risk if not apprehended Suspect identity known Communications Officer driving skills Patrol vehicle capabilities Familiarity with area Weather, road, traffic conditions Geography Time of day Other agencies Code 3 Pursuit Factors

11. Use of Lights and Siren • Main Purpose? • Clear traffic and warn bystanders • Always Effective? • No! Many drivers unaware/ignorant or panic • Always slow down/stop at intersections! • Protect You from Civil Liability? • No, Officer/Department not necessarily exonerated from results of unsafe driving • 21055 and 21056 CVC • Allegations that the Pursuit actually caused the resulting damage, injury, or death

12. Pursuit Protocol • Notify Dispatch/Supervisor of situation • Some departments require authorization • Provide the following information… • Vehicle/suspect description(s) • Reason for pursuit • Location & direction of travel • Update regularly for back-up officers • Speeds • Environmental conditions • Calling off a pursuit should always be an option! • May be the wise and safe thing to do

13. Pursuit Considerations • “Caravanning” should be avoided • Number of vehicles often limited to three • Roadblocks? • High risk of injury • Spike-strips a safer option • Plan for contingencies if pursued driver… • Stops suddenly • Crashes • Flees on foot • High-risk vehicle stop procedures

14. Tactical Vehicle Intervention • PIT Maneuver • Precision Immobilization Tactic • Pursuit Intervention Technique • Used during extreme situations • Low speeds only, below 35 mph • Never at high speed! • Very high risk of injury to suspect, officer, other motorists, and bystanders • Only used by specifically trained officers • Guided by Department Policy

15. Other Emergency Situations • Escorts • Officer responsible for both vehicles • 21057 CVC • Medical Emergencies • Is it ever appropriate to transport an injured person? • Risk of aggravating injuries

16. Vehicle Stops • Prior to making the stop, notify Dispatch of… • Location/reason for stop • Vehicle license number/description • Occupants • Officer chooses location for final stop • Traffic, roadway, lighting, weather, etc. • Activate red light before chosen location • Use overheads and siren as needed • Use PA, spot-lights as needed

17. Vehicle Stops (continued) • Vehicle Placement • Safe distance behind, slightly offset to left • Place patrol car in park and get out as quickly as possible! • Approach • Never walk between the vehicles! • Driver’s-side or passenger-side? • Advantages & Disadvantages to both • Keep an eye on all occupants/passenger area • Avoid silhouetting yourself at night

18. Vehicle Stop Considerations • Request back-up, wait as needed • If two officers involved in stop… • Contact officer approaches • Cover officer observes from safe location • Contact driver and conduct business • Vehicle stop = lawful detention • Allowed to search vehicle/driver/occupants?

19. Traffic Violation Enforcement • Do officers stop every violator they see? • How do you decide which ones to enforce or which to ignore? • Criteria used for citing/not citing • Pre-decision, driver’s attitude, etc. • Letter of the Law vs. Spirit of the Law • Officer demeanor • Officer safety first and always! • Professional, polite and courteous

20. High-Risk Vehicle Stops • Multiple-officer situation • Felonies, weapons, etc. • Must coordinate the following… • Clear radio frequency • Patrol vehicle placement • Farther back, side-by-side, etc. • Roles and responsibilities of each officer • Communications, cover, handcuffing/searching

21. Driving Under the Influence • DUI vs. “Drunk Driving” • Statistically, about 50% of all fatal traffic collisions involve alcohol/drugs • .08% BAC = Presumptive indication of guilt • Legal guidelines… • 23152 CVC • Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs/combination • 13353 CVC • Refusal/failure to complete chemical test

22. Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) • Refers to percentage of alcohol absorbed into body’s bloodstream • Varies by individual factors • Body weight, metabolism, food, fatigue • Drinking history • Refer to guidelines, p. 258

23. Detecting DUI • Direct observation by officer • Patrol, special assignment • Citizen report of unsafe driver • Motorist, bartender, friend, family member • During investigation of traffic accident • After vehicle stop for unrelated reason • DUI checkpoints

24. Slow reactions to traffic lights Exaggerated turns, lane changes Inconsistent speeds Weaving, drifting, “bouncing” Driving very slowly Headlights off High beams on Hugging the curb Tailgating Intentional avoidance of cops Failure to yield Common Indicators of DUI

25. DUI Vehicle Stops • Same procedures for regular stops • Expect unpredictable behavior • Use all senses to gather evidence • Driving pattern • Physical symptoms • Eyes, slurred speech • Smell of alcohol • Statements made • Physical evidence • Cans, bottles, drugs/paraphernalia, etc.

26. Field Sobriety Tests (FST) and Follow-Up • Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) • In-field, portable breathalyzer test • Multiple-Function Tests = Physical & Mental tasks performed simultaneously • Finger to nose, stand on one foot, walk heel to toe, balance while counting • Lateral Gaze Nystagmus • Chemical test of blood/breath/urine • How and where administered?