Most of these posts are right in line with most LEOs preference.
Since I work 6p-6a, most of my contact with people is at night. Here is a run down of where I'm at mentally at different stages:
-As I light you up I'm looking for indicators that you're going to bail out of the car.
-As you stop I'm looking to see that you aren't bailing out of the car, and I'm setting up my lights to flood your car with lights. I'm making sure my camera is capturing your vehicle and its curtiledge.
-As I approach I'm looking for ANY movement inside the vehicle - who's in it, what they're doing, etc.
-Depending on if I do a driver's side or passenger's side approach, I slowly approach the window taking in everything and assessing possible threats.
Without getting into specific tactics just realize that a good officer is taking in EVERYTHING you are doing and determining if you are trying to kill him or run from him. Everyone stopped at night is a potential threat and will be treated as such. It is, however, possible to be extremely polite and friendly, AND safe. I don't like LEOs that are jerks...
I know some CPAs allow citizens to role play through traffic stops to see what its like.
