Understanding Probable Cause in Law Enforcement: Insights for New Officers As a new officer in law enforcement, one of the questions that can often arise during traffic stops is how to determine when you have enough probable cause to search a vehicle. It’s not always immediately clear, and the decision-making process can seem ambiguous at […]
Today’s question comes from an officer in Texas. Here’s the scenario: A Texas officer conducts a traffic stop for speeding. While interacting with the driver, the officer observes a can of beer in the center console. The driver confirms that it’s an open beer. In Texas, an open container violation is not an arrestable offense, […]
I’ve got another great question from an officer in Surprise, Arizona, and I want to share it with you and provide my feedback. The question is: “Can officers still ask for consent to search a vehicle during a traffic stop without it being considered an extension of the stop for an unrelated reason, which would […]
Today’s question is: Can you run the serial number of a firearm during a traffic stop? The answer is most likely yes, but there are some important caveats to consider. Lawful Seizure of a Firearm First, we know that if you lawfully seize a firearm—such as during a pat-down or a traffic stop—it is generally […]
As I travel around the country teaching, I still find that many people either misinterpret or are confused about the Rodriguez case. So, let’s go back in time and clarify. Understanding Rodriguez v. United States Rodriguez is a Supreme Court case that held that officers cannot extend a traffic stop beyond its original mission to […]
Today’s question comes from an officer in Las Vegas: What factors can justify frisking a vehicle for weapons? This is an important question. We’re all familiar with Terry v. Ohio, which allows officers to frisk individuals if they can articulate that the person is armed and dangerous. This standard, while not very high, requires specific, […]
Can police use highly intrusive tactics like pointing guns and proning out people during a routine high risk traffic stop for a stolen vehicle? We have to talk about Chinaryan versus the LAPD. It all begins on June 14, 2019 when the LAPD conducted a high risk traffic stop on a black Chevy Suburban with […]
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