A code 5 stop is used for apprehending suspects who are wanted via a warrant or are armed and dangerous with some kind of weapon. It consists of 2 or more officers parking their vehicles; a hood facing towards the target vehicle with front-facing doors open for cover, and then one or more units with lethal AND non-lethal weapons to apprehend the suspect in question. The commands given out by the lead unit will ALWAYS be the first unit on scene and/or the unit calling in for a code 5 in the first place. This unit is also the unit that would have the non-lethal taser out as well. They will issue the basic commands of “Turn the engine off and keep your hands where we can see them. Slowly step out of the vehicle facing forward and away from us. (In the first person) Slowly walk back to the sound of my voice till I say stop. Stop! Kneel on the ground and do not move!” This is the simple command list that should be given from the lead unit to suspect(s) within the vehicle.
Times to be applied
A code 5 is usually applied to a traffic stop (10-11) in which the primary unit calls in for multiple additionals with a code 3 response. However, another way code 5 is applied is during the end of a pursuit (10-80) in which 3 or more separate squad vehicles box in a suspect which they will then proceed to exit the vehicle and initiate a code 5.
Crossfire
One very important thing is constantly having the thought of crossfire on your mind. You must watch your field of view, know where your team is, know what they are thinking, and plan as “great minds think alike” and this is crucial as an officer. Crossfire defines the possibility of shooting a fellow Officer or bystander in your field of view and therefore applying risk to their person. Never raise your weapon if an officer is within your 45-degree field of view! Never aim your weapon at a fellow officer at any given time. This applies both to lethal and non-lethal situations.