Traffic Stops

The Standard Operating Procedure for conducting a safe and lawful traffic stop

Initiate the stop under section 3.5 of the penal code (Right to Stop and Detain) by turning on your emergency lights (Shift) and pulling behind the vehicle you wish to pull over.

• It is important to try and use noise to get the attention of the driver. Turn your siren on and off (Q), or make use of your notification sound (ALT).

• Some officers may opt to use “Speakers” (bind “<Key>” “say /y Please pull your vehicle to over in the next available parking space!”).

• Before initiating a traffic stop, you must identify a safe location to stop the vehicle, such as the side of a residential road, a car park, a breakdown zone, etc. You should not be stopping vehicles on the highway with fast-moving traffic.

Upon pulling over the vehicle notify dispatch or officers on duty of the traffic stop via either text-based radio, voice radio, or through a quick incident with ANPR. Keep your engine on (this is in case the suspect fails to stop and you need to leave quickly). Additionally, turn your vehicle towards traffic (if you are hit from behind, this will help protect you and turn the vehicle outwardly). 

1. • Create a "quick incident" for a traffic stop on your police computer (F3), it will identify the registation plate and allow for officers and dispatch to see your making a traffic stop. You may wish to inform officers via radio that you're performing a "11-95" (traffic stop).

   • If you need assistance, ask dispatch for the number of additional units you require.

When the vehicle has stopped ensure that you consider the following:

• Location -  When performing a traffic stop you must make sure that the vehicle stops in a safe location such as a car park, breakdown area or off the road. This is done to ensure both the officer and the civilian are safe.

• Positioning - You should position your vehicle behind the vehicle you have stopped, approximately half a car length back, with your lights and engine on.

• Engine and Radio - Before exiting your vehicle, instruct the driver to turn off his engine and radio. This is done to ensure that you have enough reaction time to get in your vehicle in case they decide to flee, and so they can hear you.

• Visibility - Equip your high visibility jacket to ensure you are visible to other road users

• Identification - Ask for the driver's ID so you can check them against the police computer (F3) in your vehicle to check their record and any potential warrants. Make sure to double-check that they are the owner of the vehicle via the ANPR and ensure it is not stolen.

• Charge - Before issuing a ticket make sure you inform the driver of the law they broke, citation amount and rationale. Remember, you can use your discretion with fines, they don’t have to be the maximum.