Editor’s Note: This week’s PoliceOne First Person essay is from PoliceOne Member Rick McDowell, who writes about a safety technique used while first contact is made at the driver side door. In PoliceOne “First Person” essays, our Members and Columnists candidly share their own unique view of the world. This is a platform from which individual officers can share their own personal insights on issues confronting cops today, as well as opinions, observations, and advice on living life behind the thin blue line. If you want to share your own perspective with other P1 Members, simply send us an e-mail with your story.
By Rick McDowell
Police1 Member
Traffic stops will always pose an inherent risk to the officer from the unknown violator to the hazards of oncoming traffic. Intense training is provided from the academy, field training officers, and peers because of the dangers of the “routine traffic stop.”
Each officer eventually develops a level of comfort that allows him or her to perform traffic stops confidently while maintaining an acceptable level of risk.
As a police academy trainer, I am continually thinking of ways to improve safety based on my experiences, the experiences of seasoned officers, and the latest trends from around the country. I am sure something has been said about every aspect to conduct a safer traffic stop at one time or another.
First Contact
I believe I am obligated to share safety information when I use and teach a technique I think will enhance safety on traffic stops that I have not seen discussed. This safety technique is used while first contact is made at the driver side door and requires minimal training by using either the support hand or knee on the support hand side.
The observation of a traffic violation and the decision to make contact with the violator automatically sets in motion a small adrenaline rush based on the unknown. Location, descriptions, tag numbers, and observation of driver activity are taken in and processed by the officer who relays this information to dispatchers and fellow officers.
Once the violator’s vehicle has come to a safe stop; a check in the mirror for oncoming traffic is made. While approaching the vehicle observations of the driver are continually being assessed for threatening behavior.
The trunk of the vehicle is checked to make sure it is secure and the officer approaches the driver’s window checking the rear seating area of the vehicle before making contact with the driver.
At the driver window the officer identifies him or herself at which time the violator opens the door placing the driver and officer in danger. This scenario plays out on a regular basis but the potential for confrontation, injury, or worse can be reduced.
Fingers and Knees
Conducting traffic stops for more than 20 years provides firsthand experience of what works, what does not work, and everything else in between. Early in my career, more than one violator opened his or her car door during the contact. This action placed the violator in danger and caused me to change the tone of the contact even though the violator may not have meant harm.
I felt threatened, making me realize I needed to find a way to prevent or at least delay the violator from exiting the vehicle to give me an opportunity to take a defensive stance. Out of necessity I began placing three of my fingers from my support hand firmly across the seam between the front door and the rear quarter panel. When the driver attempted to open the door I firmly pushed the door shut and advised the driver to stay in his or her vehicle.
This not only surprised the violator but also gave me the upper hand in controlling a potential volatile traffic stop.
This is a technique I feel comfortable using, but it is not practical at night when the support hand has a flashlight in it. To maintain a free weapon hand and utilize the flashlight, I use my knee to keep pressure on the driver door but not to the extent that I could be thrown off balance.
The goal of any traffic stop, of course, is to maintain control of the situation. During stops that I have been involved with that the violator meant me harm, this technique surprised the suspect and gave me time to react appropriately to the circumstances.
Conclusion
Traffic stops by nature are a hazard that most law enforcement professionals face daily. Through training and experience officers find methods and tactics that work well for him or her. There are pros and cons to the fingers and knee technique to keep violators in the vehicle. For me there are more pros than cons using this method.
As a trainer, I have a desire to share what I’ve learned in the hopes it will help another, especially in times of trouble. I also understand that not every method works well for everyone. Promoting safety methods that enhance an officer’s command presence and professionalism have the effect of preventing dangerous situations from occurring.
Many times first contact with a violator is the most dangerous point of the stop. Learning new safety methods cost nothing and even if the technique is not used hopefully officers will think “what will I do when this happens to me”?
