How to Conduct a Traffic Stop

A traffic stop is a common task that an officer does throughout their careers. To conduct a traffic stop safety is on of the most important parts for both the officer and the civilian. 
When pulling someone over the first thing that an officer must do is run the license plate. This will give the officer a general idea of the person that they they are pulling over by giving information of any prior convictions, warrants, and if the vehicle is stolen. Next the officer has to choose the location of where to pull the vehicle off the side of the road. It is preferred to allow enough space between the road and and your self that way it does not interrupt the flow of traffic. Then call dispatch and tell them the location where you are and how many people are in the vehicle. Once the officer has cleared with dispatch they can continue with their traffic stop and issue any tickets or citations.

How to Prepare for a Work Shift

Before entering the work day an officer must ensure that all gear and equipment are functional. To do this an officer must check equipment systematically.

The gear on an officer’s belt is what the officer relies on to give them the tactical advantage to apprehend someone. An officer should test their handcuffs by spinning the cuffs and ensure that they lock and double and unlock properly. They should also check their Taser to ensure that it has a charge. Complete a proper functions check of their weapon with out ammunition ensuring that the safety works while engaged, fires when off safe. Checking that all the car’s functioning buttons work that operate the light and sirens and computer. Once all the gear is checked an officer will be able to begin their work shift without with out the worry of their equipment not functioning or jamming on them when they need the equipment most.

How to Stay Fit for the Job

To be an efficient Police Officer physical fitness is a priority. Maintaining your fitness level to meet the requirements of the department takes time and dedication. A key component of

overall fitness is diet. Diet makes up about 80 percent of becoming fit and maintaining fitness. Several foods to consider for a healthy lifestyle that will increase health and fitness for officers is lean chicken, premium steak cut, brown rice, and green vegetables. Consistency with a proper diet will increase the likelihood of staying fit for the career. The other component will be physical exercise. Since the job of a Police Officer is strongly geared toward patrolling, cardio would be one of the best exercise to maintain your fitness levels high. To increase your cardio vascular system run long distances and time your self, high intensity short distances runs will increase speed. Push ups and sit ups are good exercises that will work on your chest and triceps, the sit ups will work on your abdominals. The physical fitness tests that most departments test are push ups, sit ups, and a distance run.

How to Deploy Mace

When an officer is faced with the level of force that can cause bodily harm he or she has a defense tactic that may stop the assaulter. Mace or Pepper Spray is one of the methods that Police Officers use. There are several steps that an officer must preform to have legal protection once the mace is deployed on a suspect.

When deploying the spray onto suspect you must inform fellow officers by shouting "spray". Next when deploying the spray the officer should be aware of the effective range of the mace. Aim for the eyes once the spray comes in contact with the suspect make a swift movement horizontally. Once the suspect is hit with the spray it immediately impairs their vision allowing the officer to have a tactical advantage. When the suspect is detained medical officials must be contacted to cleanse and flush the suspects eyes. After being cleared by medical officials the suspect may be transported to department for processing.

How to Conduct a Sobriety Test

During a routine traffic stop a officer might encounter a intoxicated driver. It is the officers duty to respond appropriately and follow standard operation procedures.

The officer must be alert for the warning signs of an intoxicated driver. The two major signs of an intoxicated driver are slurred speech and the smell of alcohol. Once the officers has reasonable suspicion that the driver is intoxicated the officer informs the driver to exit their vehicle to conduct further investigation. Upon exiting the vehicle the officer conducts the sobriety test which can consist of three different tasks. The horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk and turn, and one leg stand are all the tests that allow the officer analyze the driver to come to the conclusion of their level of intoxication. 

How to Secure a Crime Scene

When first arriving on the scene a first responding officer must take the appropriate steps to securing the scene. After arriving on scene an officer needs to determine if medical officials

must be contacted. Once the medical officials arrive on scene they will aid any victims or pronounce death of a victim. While the medical officials are providing aid to victims the officer will be walking through the scene to obtain a general idea of the crime scene. After the initial walk through the officers will begin to secure and isolate the crime scene using crime scene tape and barricades. The barricades will allow a perimeter that the officers can work without being disturbed by media and civilians. Once the scene is secured the officers will be escorting all unofficial personnel out of the crime scene. Finally the lead investigator will be determined and the scene will then be analyzed. 

How to Lift a FingerPrint

The materials needed to lift a fingerprint are black fingerprint powder, a small soft brush, clear tape and a white evidence card. To begin the lifting process powder must be applied to

the brush. To apply powder to the brush a dabbing motion is used to collect the powder on the brush. Lightly shake the brush to remove any access powder before applying to the fingerprint. Next is applying the powder to the finger print. The most basic technique is twirling, in this technique the brush is lightly placed over the finger print and is spun to cover the print in the black powder. When the print is covered evenly with the black powder it should be visible to the naked eye. Once visible the next step is placing the tape on the fingerprint. Gently place the clear tape over the finger print, and remove the tape from the surface. The print should appear on the tape if done correctly. The final step is placing the tape with the finger print on the evidence card. Now that the finger print is lifted it is able to be used as evidence in a crime scene or inmate processing.