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I drive a pick up it does not have power windows how do you
handle a traffic stop when the police come up from the right side.
I can't lower my windows without undoing my seat belt and leaning over

You could try undoing your seatbelt and leaning over.

Once you've stopped off the road, why can't you unfasten your seat belt (after he sees that you're wearing it, of course)?

I have just pointed to mine & always got a nod.

I reach over and pop the door lock. Then let them open the door.

Cosmo 9 wrote:I reach over and pop the door lock. Then let them open the door.

I don't think I'd do that. Seems to be an "OK" to search the truck...you did provide access.

Seems like undoing the safety belt and reaching over to roll it down a little does the trick without inviting any further inspection.
He can already see thru the windows; but I draw the line at a consenting to a search.

Just my 0.02

LabRat

LabRat wrote:

Cosmo 9 wrote:I reach over and pop the door lock. Then let them open the door.

I don't think I'd do that. Seems to be an "OK" to search the truck...you did provide access.

Seems like undoing the safety belt and reaching over to roll it down a little does the trick without inviting any further inspection.
He can already see thru the windows; but I draw the line at a consenting to a search.

Just my 0.02

LabRat

Excellent point labrat.

I would roll down my (driver's side) window and inform him of the manual window situation ask how he wants to proceed.

Just don't yell "Hey, dummy! I'm over here!" Trust me.

MasterOfNone wrote:Just don't yell "Hey, dummy! I'm over here!" Trust me.

Sounds like the voice of experience.

I wouldn't start leaning over and messing with anything untill the officer has already visually cleared the inside of the vehicle.

Doing so (furtive movement) is much more likely to get your vehicle "searched" than merely opening the door and speaking with him/her.

gigag04 wrote:I wouldn't start leaning over and messing with anything untill the officer has already visually cleared the inside of the vehicle.

Doing so (furtive movement) is much more likely to get your vehicle "searched" than merely opening the door and speaking with him/her.

Agreed. Any movement prior to officer contact is just asking for trouble.

However, if you wait, and get the OK to open the window, that's all I'd open.

I would think that either action, furtive movement or opening the door, will likely invite a search depending on the reason for the original stop.

Simple speeding; maybe not too likely.
Anything else....toss of the coin.

No need to give more to the situation that is already in play.

LabRat

I'll give my insite as an LEO.

I have encountered this more often than you would think with how popular electric windows are nowdays and have seen quite a few ways people handle this.

First off, if I'm behind you (stopped or still moving) and you lean over to the pass side my imediate thoughts are your either going for something or trying to hide something. Yes, I completely understand there are many other reason for doing this, getting papers from glove box, rolling down pass side window, ect. I however have to prepare for the worst. Those movements are extremely, if not impossible, to decipher from outside. If you wanted my full attention....you now have it.

Your best bet, in my opinion and what I would prefer personaly, is for you to stay where you are with your hands on the wheel....or atleast in plain sight.

When contact is established we can work out the rest together. Most times I ask the driver to roll the window down. This typicaly (except in Jeeps or small vehicles) requires removing the seat belt. That's fine, I already saw you were wearing it and the request I made requires you to unbuckle. No problem.

Every encounter is differant, from your end as well as mine. How things go from then on depends on many factors. Just remember, I will never, nor should any other LEO, extend any part of my body into your vehicle, so expect to be leaning over quite a bit or scootch over to the pass seat if your able. I'll be holding your documents and my ticket book (if applicable) at the opening of your window, all reaching and contorting will be on your part. Sorry bud, that's how I was trained for reasons I will not go into.

About this opening your door thing, no it does not "invite" me inside to search unless I see something 'interesting'. Most cases during our interaction I have already seen everything inside your vehicle that I'd be able to see with your door open minus the obvious. If your window doesnt work please dont just swing the door open, I can hear you through the glass. "Hey bro, the window dont move" works just fine. I'll come to your side or ask if you would open the pass side door. Again opening the door does not "invite" me inside. Even if it did, I am NOT entering your vehicle for various reasons, the threshold is as far as I go unless the situation changes.

As everybody knows we are all differant. I handle things differantly that other LEOs do. You may have a completely differant experiance with the Officers in your area. I will never encounter 99.99% of the people reading this, hopefully none of yall, so my way is just that......MY way. I'd be glad to offer how I prefer things to go to anybody who would like some insight into an LEO's point of view. Just keep in mind my point of view may be way off from the next guy who stops you.

Why would the LEO approach from the passenger side even if there's only one visible person in the vehicle? That doesn't strike me as a good tactical move.

Oldgringo wrote:Why would the LEO approach from the passenger side even if there's only one visible person in the vehicle? That doesn't strike me as a good tactical move.

You ever see a cop get hit by some dumb drunk while writing a traffic citation? They have a lot to worry about and if they feel safer in the shoulder of the road then cool with me.

Oldgringo wrote:Why would the LEO approach from the passenger side even if there's only one visible person in the vehicle? That doesn't strike me as a good tactical move.

There are many tactical advantages of the pass side vs. the driver's side. The same is true the other way. It will completely depend on all known factors at the time as to which side I approach a vehicle from.

No self respecting LEO will devulge tactics over the internet. Feel free to speculate all you want on the tactics used, but over the internet, and in most cases in real life, you will not be given the full insite......kind of defeats the purpose of a tactical advantage.