In this day and age, why am I still seeing officers blocking the driver-side windows and/or doors during a traffic stop? Hasn’t word gotten out that people are shooting at us and pulling weapons out of who-knows-where?
As a 13-year LEO, I’ve been trained — more than once — to stay at that “B Pillar” and NEVER lean into windows or broad-face a door during contact.
This position serves two purposes:
1. I can see the driver/operator’s hands and most of area around where those hands can reach.
2. The driver/operator will have to crane their neck to speak to me and see what I am doing — this is allows me more time to watch them.
If all else fails, you have more time to distance yourself from a potentially deadly situation.
Stay safe and remember the old Italian proverb: “The best armor is staying out of gun-shot.”