Each Traffic Stop Could Be a Life or Death Scenario

It's 3 a.m. on an unusually dark night, when you receive an alert from dispatch. It's a description of a vehicle involved in a recent shooting close two towns away.

You don't think much of it, but it's in the back of your mind the vehicle could be coming this way as the driver makes their escape. A short time later as you're driving around and doing routine business checks, off in the distance you see a pair of headlights coming toward you. It appears the vehicle is going much faster than the speed limit. When the vehicle flashes by you, it's going to fast to determine what color it is or what the make and model is.

You turn around and begin to chase the vehicle as it speeds off. Once you catch up to the vehicle you realize that it closely matches the description of the vehicle from dispatch...

As I leave my patrol vehicle and begin approaching a suspects' vehicle, I'm observing what is going on inside the vehicle. I'm looking for any indicators of crime, intoxication, deception or attack. Some of these indicators are the same as a person who is simply irritated by a traffic stop.

I also need to use caution to not be one of those officers on YouTube that is seen as overzealous or overbearing.

I approach cautiously weighing all of the information I have gathered to this point. As always, I stand back away from the window in order to gain a slight advantage of sight and maneuverability.

During the entire interaction I'm staring intently at the drivers' hands and often times asked to see them. I then inform the driver who I am and the reason for stop. During this time, I constantly gather information on the driver's intent.

I'm continually weighing if this stop is going to escalate into an attack or a criminal investigation. I attempt to compose myself and shake off the adrenalin surge and the fear that this person may not want me to go home to my family tonight. I then scan the area keeping my head on a swivel looking for other possible dangers that may arise from an outside source.

At this time, I'm able obtain the driver's registration, insurance and license.

I then cautiously navigate my way back to my patrol vehicle while keeping one eye on the suspects' vehicle and oncoming traffic.

Back inside the patrol vehicle I must diligently work to complete a citation or warning while keeping one eye on traffic and the suspects' vehicle. I also keep my door ajar with one foot half out in case this indeed is going to turn into something more.

I inform Dispatch who the driver is and check them for warrants along with making sure the vehicle is properly registered and insured. I decide to write the driver a citation for the speed and await the news from Dispatch if this is person involved in the earlier shooting.

At last Dispatch informs me that this is not the shooting suspect or his vehicle. But, there is still concern as the driver was showing indicators this is more than a normal traffic stop. Upon second approach I'm looking for the same dangers as before.

I check the hands of all persons inside the car and external threats. I cautiously hand the drivers his license, registration and insurance information.

I begin explaining the citation while maintaining a professional, but safe distance from the driver.

Oftentimes, officers receive complaints because they did not talk directly to someone's face, so I must balance professionalism with safety.

The driver jerks forward and nervously lights a cigarette. I waiver between grabbing the man or retreating to my vehicle, but hold strong in my position as I realize he is just lighting a cigarette. I then receive a huge adrenaline dump as I speak with the driver more.

He had just received a warning earlier and was nervous that I would not cut him any slack. I could tell there was something off with the driver and was glad to find out this was the reason. The adrenaline dump has left me with a pit in my stomach.

I thought the stop was going to be the one where I had to make a life or death decision. I'm glad it wasn't that stop, and I begin to think about how things could have gone south in that moment.

I then safely return to my vehicle, where I inform Dispatch I have completed the traffic stop and the outcome. I then shield the driver's vehicle as they proceed back onto the roadway.

I then go about my way looking for other infractions.

What seems like a simple interaction has many dynamic moving parts.

The Glasgow Police Department would like you to do your part to make this interaction positive through your cooperation and knowledge of what officers are going through. You hold the key to a positive interaction with law enforcement. Glasgow Police Department would like to thank you, Our Community for your understanding ant support. Stay safe!

P-public O-officers, L-linked, I-in, C-community, E-enforcement.