Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 01/24/2011 06/01/201 9 06/01/20 21
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SS456 - Call Taker Response for Traffic Stops 1 SS456 CALL TAKER RESPONSE FOR TRAFFIC STOPS
SS456.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This procedure establishes guidelines for handling traffic stops.
SS456.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This procedure pertains to the following CALEA Standards: N/A
This procedure pertains to the following General Orders: §502
This procedure pertains to the following Standard Operating Procedures: CP504
SS456.2 PROCEDURE
All traffic stops should be entered as an officer initiated call in to the CAD system. The CAD
system is set up so that immediately upon proper entry into CAD, the license plate is run through
CLETS for stolen vehicle, felony vehicle, lost/stolen/evidence plates, associati on to a missing
person, and also if there are any warrants associated to the vehicle. It also provide s registration
information and local “in house” contacts for the vehicle.
When an officer initiates a traffic stop the officer must notify communications of the vehicle license
number and location of the stop. When there is no license plate on the vehicle, or if it is obstructed,
the officer will provide a description of the ve hicle.
There are several different ways to enter a traffic stop into CAD. The most common is:
TS,UNIT;/LICENSE PLATE;LOCATION
By properly placing the punctuation, the license plate is automatically run through CLETS.
When an officer makes a traffic stop and unusual circumstances exist, the officer should include
the direction of travel, number of occupants, and any other pertinent information. Typically an
officer would call this type of stop in as a “960” rather than a “961 .”
If exigent circumstances exist, such as a stolen vehicle response on the CLETS return ,
Communications personnel will send additional units code 3. If officers initiate their own code 3
response, enter the comments into CAD and turn on the channel marker.
As soon as possible, contact the original case agency to confirm that the vehicle is still stolen or
otherwise wanted. If the vehicle is no longer wanted by the originating agency advise the officers
immediately. If the vehicle is stolen, request a copy of the report to be faxed over.