As soon as you notice the police emergency lights – pull your vehicle over to the right immediately. Although you might not know the reason, you should pull over right away. You may have committed some minor traffic violation without realizing it. There may be some problem with your vehicle of which you may be unaware.
Remain in your vehicle while the officer approaches. Do not attempt to get out of your vehicle or approach the officer. Exiting your vehicle does not assist the officer and may be perceived as a threat. For the officer’s safety and yours, remain in your vehicle.
Turn on your interior light if stopped at night. A lit vehicle cabin will reduce the officer’s concern regarding weapons or other possible threats within your reach.
Keep your hands easily observable, preferably on the steering wheel where they can be easily seen by the approaching officer. Reaching under the seat or in the glove box are actions that will cause the officers concern that you may be reaching for a weapon.
Give your license and proof of insurance to the officer if asked to do so. Illinois law requires a driver to turn over this information upon request by a uniformed officer or an officer in plain clothes who displays proper identification. Most officers will not provide a specific reason(s) for the stop until they have received your license and insurance card. This is to avoid debating the reason for the stop prior to acquiring this necessary information.
If you wish to inquire as to why you were stopped or offer an explanation, do so before the officer returns to his or her vehicle. Answer all questions honestly. Information pertaining to prior arrests or traffic violations is easily verified via the police dispatcher.
Touching or threatening a police officer, or acting in a disorderly manner, could result in additional charges being placed against you and you will be arrested. If the officer asks you to step out of your vehicle, do so without any sudden or threatening movements. Give the officers approximately two-and-a-half to three feet of professional space to do his or her job. Remain in your vehicle at all times unless told to do otherwise. Do not become argumentative, disorderly, or abusive.
If an officer has already written a ticket, it cannot be voided at that time. If you believe that you have been unfairly treated, DO NOT make that argument on the side of the road. Your best alternative is to carry your protest to Traffic Court.
Contrary to popular belief, police officers do not have quotas. Whether they write you a ticket or give you a warning is entirely up to their individual discretion. Your conduct during the stop may influence the officer’s decision.
Try not to be offended...
Most citizens already realize that law enforcement is a difficult and dangerous profession. Hundreds of police officers are killed each year, and thousands more are injured and assaulted. For these reasons, police officers tend to be extremely cautious. They place a great deal of emphasis on officer safety and survival. Certain safety practices are instilled in police officers from the first day of their careers. Although the procedures maximize safety for the officer, they may seem standoffish, impolite, or offensive to citizens who may not consider such precautions necessary with “them.” Even though you may not have any intention of doing the officer harm, he or she will probably maintain a defensive posture until the officer feels there is no risk of confrontation or injury. As far as police officers are concerned, there is no such thing as a “routine” traffic stop. Every stop has the potential for danger.
If police approach
you on the street…
Innocent individuals are often offended or angered, or both, because an officer has detained them for questioning. Although the delay might be inconvenient for you, the officer believes there is a reason (reasonable suspicion) to stop you and ask you some questions. Most of these stops are not officer-initiated. The most common reasons that cause an officer to stop someone are as follows.
You might be one of only a few people walking around in the vicinity of a crime that has recently occurred. Your clothing might be similar or identical to that worn by the perpetrator of a crime. Someone may have called the police complaining about your presence or that you looked “suspicious.” Someone may have pointed you out to an officer. You might be acting in a manner that the officer considers “suspicious” and you act even more suspicious after realizing that the officer is observing you.
The police officer does not wish to detain you any longer than necessary. Once the officer is able to determine that you are not the individual that he or she is looking for, the officer will often apologize for the inconvenience and then quickly leave to resume the search.
In all police encounters…
Avoid making sudden movements (for your wallet, into your coat, toward your waistband, etc.) until you have informed the officer of your intention to do so and the officer has said it’s okay.
Do not carry weapons (real or otherwise) or even joke about having a weapon on your person.
Do not touch the police officer or violate his or her “personal” safety zone (2-1/2 to 3 feet).
Remain calm and avoid being argumentative. (If you are uncooperative and refuse to answer reasonable questions, the officer is likely to become more suspicious and the encounter will probably last much longer than necessary.)
Comply first, then seek an explanation from the officer or the officer’s supervisor later.
For more information, contact the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #7, 1412 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago IL 60607. |
