[361cop]

Scenario:

If you attempted to pull over a vehicle and it didn't stop for 3-5 miles, would you conduct a felony stop after the vehicle stopped or just walk up to the vehicle after it stopped and approach it 'cautiously'?

For the purpose of this scenario, nobody knows the reason why the vehicle is not stopping, not stolen, nothing. Just a every-day traffic stop.

 

[seanmac45]

Felony stop is definitely indicated in such a scenario. Your safety is the primary issue.

 

[FiremanMike]

I've done a felony stop for less distance, but it was in the ghetto.. Need more details on your stop, but probably.

 

[ClydeG19]

Probably not full on felony stop assuming I don't have any other info, but certainly would call the driver back instead of approaching.

 

[361cop]

That is the exact real life traffic stop. Vehicle didn't stop, when finally stopped, a felony stop was conducted. Driver of vehicle stated he never saw lights and the siren behind him....ie he was not paying attention, nor was anyone else in the vehicle.

Now the felony stop is being questioned on if it was appropriate and necessary.

 

[Sam Spade]

Time of day, computer returns, observations in the car would all play a part in my decision. Maybe not a full on felony stop, but not gonna just walk up. I'd probably call him back like Clyde said.

 

[Vigilant]

Would love to hear MTPD's thoughts on this one.... :whistling:

 

[FiremanMike]

would love to hear mtpd's thoughts on this one.... :whistling:

wwmtpdd?

 

[steveksux]

wwmtpdd?

If he was going to approach instead of a felony stop, definitely unload his gun in case of a struggle!

Randy

 

[steveksux]

That is the exact real life traffic stop. Vehicle didn't stop, when finally stopped, a felony stop was conducted. Driver of vehicle stated he never saw lights and the siren behind him....ie he was not paying attention, nor was anyone else in the vehicle.

Now the felony stop is being questioned on if it was appropriate and necessary.

So who's questioning it? And based on what? That it turned out to be an idiot AFTER THE FACT, instead of something serious? Easy for them to tell from the incident report rather than from the incident itself. Sounds like they need to do psychicological exams in the hiring process instead of psychological exams.

I would think something damn weird is going on if they can't tell you're trying to pull them over for 3 to 5 miles. Not sure if I'd do a full on felony stop on the guy, but I wouldn't discourage one if the hairs on the back of your neck were standing up. When something is obviously off and you aren't sure why, better to be on the safe side.
Depends on the location too, is this Mayberry, or Detroit, something in the middle?

Randy

 

[w01]

Scenario:

If you attempted to pull over a vehicle and it didn't stop for 3-5 miles, would you conduct a felony stop after the vehicle stopped or just walk up to the vehicle after it stopped and approach it 'cautiously'?

For the purpose of this scenario, nobody knows the reason why the vehicle is not stopping, not stolen, nothing. Just a every-day traffic stop.

(not a cop) Having trouble imagining a traffic stop going on for that long. I'm guessing other officers join you before long, if you're not in a really rural setting. Does this then become like a 'normal-speed' pursuit?

 

[scottydl]

Driver of vehicle stated he never saw lights and the siren behind him....ie he was not paying attention, nor was anyone else in the vehicle.

This is obviously unrealistic in most situations, and probably a lie on the part of the driver (unless there are other factors, such as elderly, deaf, etc).

High speed traffic (interstate?) and associated wind noise is about the only justification I could think of that might block modern siren noise. That doesn't explain the supposedly unnoticed police lights though, assuming it was a modern patrol car setup that is generally visible for miles.

Regardless, there are hundreds of documented situations that would justify a felony stop in a situation where a driver fails to pull over as described. Circumstances dictate tactics. Not what actually happened, but what the officer(s) perceived to be happening at the time.

 

[indigent]

3-5 miles and he says he didn't see/hear you? I don't buy it.....

I've felony'd cars for less distance.

Who's asking the questions and why are they questioning you? 3-5 miles isn't a long stop, in my neck of the woods that's a pursuit.

 

[Dukeboy01]

In 3- 5 miles at least one other unit would make it to you by the time he stopped around here. One of the advantages of the urban setting.

Hate to sound like I'm copping out, but it just depends vis a vis doing a full Felony stop. Probably wouldn't, but it would definitely be a two man approach, which means I'd wait to make contact if backup hadn't caught up to me yet.

 

[Goldsmithy]

As a complete noob to police procedures, what is the difference between a regular traffic stop and a 'felony' traffic stop? My hearing is VERY bad (2hearing aids) and one time I actually didn't hear the siren. After explaining my plight to the officer, he let me off with a warning. I avoid mistakes as much as possible, but this is the first time I have heard of a 'felony' stop.

 

[Steve in PA]

Did the driver speed up, slow down, drive like they were trying to elude or evade? Time of day, location, etc? Marked car, unmarked car?

A lot plays into doing a felony stop not just because the driver kept going.

Can't really say how I would handle the stop unless I was there getting feedback, but sitting at my computer I would say the stop would fall somewhere between a "routine" traffic stop and what most of us know as a full felony stop.

 

[ChiefWPD]

Time of day, computer returns, observations in the car would all play a part in my decision. Maybe not a full on felony stop, but not gonna just walk up. I'd probably call him back like Clyde said.

+1 Lots of "it depends" when making the final decision.

 

[Chuck TX]

Depends on a lot of unknown factors. Return, obviously evading or cruising along oblivious, time, location, etc.

 

[Mayhem like Me]

+1 Lots of "it depends" when making the final decision.

Agreed, and the officer that made the call gets, my support if he/she articulates why, including the 3-5 mile pursuit, because thats what we call it if they do not yield.

In fact in that length of time we would have most likely preformed a PIT on the car.

Could they have not heard it, maybe, we use Rummblers(sp) and if they did not hear it they would at least feel it.

Wearing Earbuds or having an in car stereo blaring could account for it, if you believe them.

Whatever the case they were not using due care if they failed to yield to an emergency vehicle in that length of time.

 

[Dave514]

WHAT???