The Hurt Locker: Part 2

In Part One, we discussed the positioning of the patrol unit to provide as much protection as possible. Today, I would like to discuss vehicle approaches.

The passenger side approach can be used as a single or two officer unit. For the lead officer or single officer unit, once the radio traffic is complete, take a second to assess the suspect vehicle and occupants. Using properly adjusted mirrors and turning your head to check anything approaching from the rear, after checking your six, exit the patrol unit and walk behind (never between the cars) and pause at the back right of the patrol unit. This will provide cover if ambushed by the suspects. After pausing for situational awareness, move to the front right, again using the cover the patrol unit provides, to assess the situation and the occupants of the vehicle stopped. Approach the suspect vehicle, staying to the right, and make contact from the passenger side window. After advising the reason for the stop and obtaining the documents from the driver, retreat to the passenger side of the patrol unit, get inside the patrol unit, and use the MDT, seated inside with the seatbelt worn. When finishing the contact, approach the passenger side, complete the encounter and return to the patrol unit by walking around the back and accessing the driver’s door, making sure you’re safe from vehicles approaching from the rear. There may be those of you reading this and think this is overkill. My question is would you rather exercise overkill or be killed.

In 2020, Gordon Graham created a video regarding a passenger side approach.

This is possibly the most compelling argument for using this tactic. I am an old school police officer, and it was drilled into me that all stops must be performed on the driver side. I have rolled over the hood of a violator vehicle as a passing car took the rearview mirror from the stopped vehicle where I was standing (I would face oncoming traffic from the driver side window to maintain situational awareness). I have watched videos of police officers struck from behind as they performed a driver side approach without situational awareness. Later in my career I began the use of a passenger side approach and learned just how effective it can be. In Gordon Grahams tip, he discusses the pros and cons of both tactics. The pros for a passenger side approach is more compelling than a driver side and may keep you from being injured in the “Hurt Locker”. Again, the “Hurt Locker” is the area of the vehicle stop to include approximately 50 feet beyond the violator vehicle and 100 feet prior to the patrol unit. This is where officers continue to be injured or killed by distracted, fatigued, or impaired drivers.

In my seminars, I discuss, demonstrate, and provide videos to encourage the use of this tactic. The way I approach this session is by discussing two adversaries’ officers face in conducting vehicle stops. First, the driver and passengers of the suspect vehicle. Very seldom do you know what that driver is involved or has been involved in. The driver is a threat until the officers feels the threat level has diminished. The second, vehicles passing through the “Hurt Locker”. These vehicles passing by are a serious threat to the officer on a driver side approach. To believe there is a true safe zone is a fallacy. The passenger side approach can be used to the advantage of the officer because most drivers believe the contact will take place at the driver side window. Using the technique of stopping the patrol unit a car length, to a car length and a half behind the suspect vehicle, (you can judge this distance by positioning your patrol unit where you can see the road surface under the suspect vehicle) angled at approximately 45 degrees, wheels turned hard left will provide cover in the event the driver or passengers begin shooting. Over the last few years police officers have been ambushed during the approach to the suspect vehicle, because it seems to be open season on police officers. If a suspect begins sending rounds toward you and you have not exited the vehicle, there is a gear that will get you out. It is called reverse!  If the suspect begins shooting, they will be shooting in the direction of the driver side, because that is where they believe you will be. When using the passenger side approach you would be at the back right of the patrol unit. Time is on your side so why would it hurt to pause at the back right of the patrol unit to gain situational awareness? You could also stop at the front right and use your observation skills to further discern the actions of the vehicle occupants. The approach time will place the driver in an uncomfortable situation. The driver will not know where you are and may begin trying to locate you. This will give you a tactical advantage. This may be a good time to discuss, never rush to failure. Law Enforcement officers are compensated by the hour, or salary, not by the task. With that in mind, why are we always in a hurry?  I have been told agencies have their officers on a time clock for a vehicle stop. Some use the Fourth amendment as the basis for hurrying through a vehicle encounter, Rodriguez vs US defines the reasonable length of a stop as time needed to complete the task. Taking your time to complete the encounter does not violate the Courts decision in Rodriguez.

When viewing the Lexipol video pay close attention to the story at the conclusion.

I submit to you that our tactics at times place us in a harmful situation. Using a passenger side approach, will minimize the danger from both adversaries, the suspect and passing motorists.

Please consider using this tactic as your standard operating procedure, and until next time, may God bless you and please be careful.

Source: www.lawofficer.com