A question for the police.

[Hoosier]

My question is, should I've pulled over onto the left shoulder so that the officer wouldn't be in danger of traffic? or is that lane reserved only for emergency vehicles?

I'm not a cop but my understanding is they want you to get as far off the road as possible, so they can park their cruiser closer to traffic and far enough back with the front wheels turned to provide some small measure of protection from the oncoming traffic. There should be a real patrol LEO here to give you a better answer though. And since it seems appropriate...

......

[Irving]

I've asked that before, and was told that no matter where I park, they can park off set enough to block themselves from other cars.

[KevDen2005]

Police cars are emergency vehicles and can close down the entire highway if they deem necessary (probably wont be able to justify that to the supervisor for a regular speeding traffic stop).

Pull over to the right is what is most normal and probably safest (there are other circumstances that could make it necessary to pull over the left). Either way an Officer may or may not offset his/her vehicle into that lane of traffic giving him/her a walking-traveling lane for safety (not that it really matters). The officer may choose to walk up along the passenger side if you pull to the right for added safety

I guess the key is that you pull over and do it safely. If you are really concerned you can always turn on your hazards letting the officer know that you are going to pull over and hit an intersection, parking lot, or off ramp for safety, they may appreciate that.

Also, I hate when people pull over before I light them up, I am usually planning a stop and calling it out through dispatch before I light them up. I know where usually want people to pull over for everyone's safety and if you stop in the middle of the road before getting my lights turned on it may raise my suspicions (if you hop out of your car you may get a gun pointed at you)

[Batteriesnare]

Police cars are emergency vehicles and can close down the entire highway if they deem necessary (probably wont be able to justify that to the supervisor for a regular speeding traffic stop).

Pull over to the right is what is most normal and probably safest (there are other circumstances that could make it necessary to pull over the left). Either way an Officer may or may not offset his/her vehicle into that lane of traffic giving him/her a walking-traveling lane for safety (not that it really matters). The officer may choose to walk up along the passenger side if you pull to the right for added safety

I guess the key is that you pull over and do it safely. If you are really concerned you can always turn on your hazards letting the officer know that you are going to pull over and hit an intersection, parking lot, or off ramp for safety, they may appreciate that.

Also, I hate when people pull over before I light them up, I am usually planning a stop and calling it out through dispatch before I light them up. I know where usually want people to pull over for everyone's safety and if you stop in the middle of the road before getting my lights turned on it may raise my suspicions (if you hop out of your car you may get a gun pointed at you)

Good to know, thank you!

[KevDen2005]

More than happy to answer questions and personally I don't have all the answers, as some of you military folks remember, this is just one way to do it (probably the most common). Other officers on here may have different takes on each subject, that comes with different amounts/types of experience and different lengths of careers.

[sniper7]

Police cars are emergency vehicles and can close down the entire highway if they deem necessary (probably wont be able to justify that to the supervisor for a regular speeding traffic stop).

Pull over to the right is what is most normal and probably safest (there are other circumstances that could make it necessary to pull over the left). Either way an Officer may or may not offset his/her vehicle into that lane of traffic giving him/her a walking-traveling lane for safety (not that it really matters). The officer may choose to walk up along the passenger side if you pull to the right for added safety

I guess the key is that you pull over and do it safely. If you are really concerned you can always turn on your hazards letting the officer know that you are going to pull over and hit an intersection, parking lot, or off ramp for safety, they may appreciate that.

Also, I hate when people pull over before I light them up, I am usually planning a stop and calling it out through dispatch before I light them up. I know where usually want people to pull over for everyone's safety and if you stop in the middle of the road before getting my lights turned on it may raise my suspicions (if you hop out of your car you may get a gun pointed at you)

When I get pulled over I try to angle a little bit to protect the cop. I get let go once because of it! The lady was pretty happy to see that I did that, acknowledged it and told me make sure I come to a COMPLETE stop at the stop signs!


that is kinda funny people pull over before you hit the lights.

[KevDen2005]

that is kinda funny people pull over before you hit the lights.

I am certainly more happy to give a warning (if possible and feasible) to someone who is polite, admits to wrong doing, has their information ready, and is genuinely concerned for my safety. I hate writing tickets in general so I can come up with a pretty good reason to cut you loose (then I have to tell my supervisor why i didn't write any tickets).

Pretty recently I get was watching a flashing red in the middle of the night and a van went right through it like it wasn't even there. I pull out from my spot, speed up to catch it, which it was doing about 60 in a 40. I picked up my mic. and started to call out the traffic stop (no overhead lights on yet) and the lady pulls into the right lane. I figure she realizes what she has done and is getting ready to get pulled over. She then slams on her brakes in the middle of a travel lane and as I am getting my car in park and opening my door she hops out and starts walking at a pretty good pace toward my patrol car. I drew my gun and pointed at her, yelled at her to get back in my car, called for cover.

She couldn't understand what happened, didn't realize there was a light that she ran, was upset that I yelled at her, and made a complaint through my supervisor that I did that.

[sniper7]

I am certainly more happy to give a warning (if possible and feasible) to someone who is polite, admits to wrong doing, has their information ready, and is genuinely concerned for my safety. I hate writing tickets in general so I can come up with a pretty good reason to cut you loose (then I have to tell my supervisor why i didn't write any tickets).

Pretty recently I get was watching a flashing red in the middle of the night and a van went right through it like it wasn't even there. I pull out from my spot, speed up to catch it, which it was doing about 60 in a 40. I picked up my mic. and started to call out the traffic stop (no overhead lights on yet) and the lady pulls into the right lane. I figure she realizes what she has done and is getting ready to get pulled over. She then slams on her brakes in the middle of a travel lane and as I am getting my car in park and opening my door she hops out and starts walking at a pretty good pace toward my patrol car. I drew my gun and pointed at her, yelled at her to get back in my car, called for cover.

She couldn't understand what happened, didn't realize there was a light that she ran, was upset that I yelled at her, and made a complaint through my supervisor that I did that.

some people have no common sense. I see it all the time at the airports. people literally lose their minds while flying commercially.

[Batteriesnare]

some people have no common sense. I see it all the time at the airports. people literally lose their minds while flying commercially.

That could be TSA......

[TFOGGER]

some people have no common sense. I see it all the time at the airports. people literally lose their minds while flying commercially.

"Whaddaya mean I can't fly with a bear trap in my carryon?"