Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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4.15 Traffic Law Enforcement
4.15.10 Traffic Stops (Issued: 6/25/07)
A. No two traffic stops are exactly alike. This protocol is to be used as a guide to how to
conduct stops of traffic law violators. Officers shall act in a courteous and prudent
manner as dictated by the circumstances of the particular stop.
B. Suggested Procedure for Officers when Initiating the Stop
1. Choose the stop location carefully avoiding curves, hill crests and intersections.
Consider stop locations where adequate lighting and cover are available.
2. Inform Dispatch of the vehicle license number, state (if not California), direction
of travel and location, also the color and make of the vehicle if the license plate
number is unknown.
3. Activate emergency lights and use horn and siren if needed to alert the driver to
stop.
4. Park the patrol car a safe distance behind the stopped vehicle (where practical)
and offset to the left or right (i.e., one -way streets) into the traffic lane. Leave the
engine running and the driver’s door unlocked. Consider the surroundings, such
as other persons in the area, at all times.
5. While exiting the patrol vehicle, observe the occupants of the stopped vehicle at
all times. Watch for any furtive or unusual mov ements.
6. At night, high headlight beams, spotlight and takedown lights may be used for
visibility inside the stopped vehicle.
7. Generally, to protect both the officer and the citizen, officers should request
violators to remain in their vehicle during t he traffic stop. If the violator does not
remain in their vehicle, they should be advised to move to a location away from
traffic or other possible dangers (i.e., to the sidewalk, etc.) The officer should
keep a safe distance from the violator while writin g citations. The officer must
always observe and be aware of the surroundings.
8. While approaching, watch occupant(s), check for altered tags, check the trunk to
ensure it is closed and locked and observe the interior for possible weapons or
hidden passen gers. At night, officers should avoid walking between the patrol
vehicle lights.
9. Utilize any of the three standard positions for violator contact and be observant of
all occupants:
a. Behind the driver’s door
b. In front of the driver’s door, looking b ack into the car
c. Approaching on passenger’s side and making contact through the
passenger’s window/door.
10. Keep a constant view of the driver’s hands.
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
2
C. Procedure during the Stop
1. The vehicle operator may be checked for driver’s license status, “w anted status”
and warrants. The vehicle should also be checked for proper licensing and
equipment.
2. Citations should be written outside the patrol vehicle. Officers should maintain
visual contact with all occupants throughout the stop.
D. Procedure for Re-contact with the Driver
1. When returning to the stopped vehicle to issue the citation, observe again for
changes within the vehicle.
2. The officer should usually allow the stopped vehicle to depart first. Conditions
may exist that necessitate the officer departing first (e.g., the patrol unit is
blocking the violator’s view of traffic, the officer needs to respond to a call, the
driver is legally parked and may not be going to leave).
3. Turn off emergency lights and other auxiliary lights before re -entering traffic.