When you’re approaching a stopped vehicle, your attention is obviously heavily focused on the interior of the car looking for things like suspicious movement and taking a mental head count of occupants.
One place you definitely shouldn’t overlook, however, is the trunk. If you’re dealing with someone who has planned ahead for the possibility that he’ll be stopped and he’s dedicated to getting away at any cost, you could suddenly be faced with someone who’s planted in the trunk, lying in wait to launch a surprise attack when you approach.
Keep an eye out for signs that the trunk may be open a crack and continue to glance at it looking for even the slightest movement. Start looking right away, beginning at the point you pull behind the vehicle. When you get to the trunk, push on it to make sure it’s closed. If it’s not, remember this tip and be ready to kick your officer survival efforts into overdrive.
