Traffic Stops

A police officer can stop a vehicle for any reason and does not require any grounds to stop a vehicle.  While on the traffic stop an officer can require the driver to provide them with their:

• Name;

• Address;

• Date of Birth;

• Drivers licence. 

Failing to provide these is an offence under sections 164 and 165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

We will now talk about what an officer should do when conducting a traffic stop:

1. Identify the vehicle the officer whishes' to stop;

2. While behind the vehicle activate their emergency lights and sirens to alert the vehicle in front of their intentions to stop them;

3. Allow the vehicle ample time to stop in a safe position however if it becomes clear the vehicle is failing to stop move the pursuit procedure found here; 

4. Once the vehicle has come to a stop the officer should:

   1. park their vehicle behind them in a stand-off position with blue lights and rear reds activated;

   2. Turn off their sirens;

   3.  Use their ANPR camera to run the vehicle's plate;

   4. Make a call out on the radio that they're conducting a traffic stop and where ;

5. Once this has been completed the officer should get out of their vehicle and approach the suspects either asking them to roll down their window or step out of the vehicle at the officer's discretion (note: unless the suspect is being detained for a search or under arrest they're not obligated to step out);

6. Before questioning the driver, if it is suspected they have committed an offence they must be informed that they're not under arrest but that they do not have to say anything, but it may harm their defence if they do not mention when questioned something they later rely on in court, anything they do say may be given in evidence.;

7. While on the stop the officer should;

   1. obtain the driver's name;

   2. ascertain if they're the owner of the vehicle;

8. Once the traffic stop has been concluded the driver should be told they are free to go and the officer should return to their vehicle turning their lights off and re-joining traffic when safe to do so.