Police officers often touch the back of cars during traffic stops to ensure safety and leave a traceable link for investigations.
When police officers pull over a vehicle, they often perform a subtle action that might go unnoticed by most people: they touch the back of the car.
This seemingly small gesture actually has significant reasons behind it, rooted in both safety and investigative practices.
Why do police officers often touch the back of cars they pull over?
When law enforcement officers conduct a traffic stop, they follow specific protocols designed to protect both themselves and the driver.
Leave fingerprints on vehicles
One of the primary reasons officers touch the back of a car is to leave their fingerprints on the vehicle.
This serves as a form of evidence.
If something went wrong during the traffic stop, like the driver fleeing or harming the officer, the fingerprints on the car could help identify the vehicle.
These prints would link the car to the officer’s last known location.
In cases where a car is involved in a crime, investigators can use these fingerprints as crucial evidence.
This small act of touching the car is a simple yet effective way for officers to create a traceable link between them and the vehicle they stopped.
To nsure the driver closed car trunk carefully
Another reason for this practice is to ensure the driver closes the car trunk carefully.
While this may seem unnecessary, it’s a precautionary measure that helps protect the officer.
There have been instances where individuals have hidden in the trunk of a car, intending to surprise or harm the officer during a traffic stop.
By checking the closed trunk, they can prevent any surprises, such as someone jumping out unexpectedly.
Check the driver’s state of mind.
In addition to these safety concerns, touching the car can also serve as a way for officers to gauge the driver’s behavior.
Officers often perform the action discreetly, which can cause the driver to look back or react.
This reaction, or lack thereof, can give the officer clues about the driver’s state of mind.
For instance, a driver who is calm and cooperative might not even notice the officer touching the car.
In contrast, a driver who is nervous or hiding something might become visibly anxious or startled by the action.
This small observation can help officers assess the situation more accurately and decide how to proceed with the traffic stop.
Mandatory procedure during police officers’ training
Moreover, police officers use this practice as part of the procedures they follow during traffic stops.
These procedures are designed to ensure that the stop is conducted in a manner that maximizes safety for both the officer and the driver.
Officers are trained to approach vehicles in a specific way, maintain a certain distance, and observe the behavior of the driver and any passengers.
In recent years, with the increase in body cameras and other recording devices, some people might wonder if this practice is still necessary.
While technology has certainly added new tools for law enforcement, the basic principles of safety and evidence gathering remain the same.
Touching the car is a habit that many officers continue to practice, as it adds a tangible, physical element to their approach.
Even with advanced technology, this simple action remains a reliable and effective way to address safety concerns during traffic stops.