When writing or printing off a ticket, or working on your computer during a stop, it is easy to be distracted and not pay full attention to your surroundings. Especially at night, consider moving to the passenger side and adjust your computer.
If a suspect decides to attack you, they will head toward the driver’s seat where they most likely think you will be. Switching to an unexpected position can give you a surprise advantage by not being where a suspect expects you to be.
If you have to move quickly to the rear of your car for distance and cover, moving to the passenger side allows you to quickly exit your squad without having to look for oncoming traffic or worry about being hit by a passing vehicle.
Also consider keeping the door open, or at least unlatched, to save time should you need to exit the squad quickly. This works particularly well at night when you can use your spotlight, takedown lights and headlights to conceal your position from a potential attacker.
