Thursday, March 28, 2024

Why Do Police Touch The Back Of The Car

Don't Miss

What Do License Plate Scanners Read

Ask Trooper Steve: Why do officers touch the back of cars during stops?

How do automated license plate readers work?Automated license plate readers are high-speed cameras that take photographs of license plate numbers, capturing their geolocation along with the time and date. The license plate readers can also be mobile, such as those attached to police squad cars to capture license plate data of vehicles on public roads.More itemsJul 8, 2019

Trooper Steve Answers Viewer Questions

ORLANDO, Fla. News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions about the rules of the road, helping Orlando-area residents become better drivers by being better educated.

A viewer recently asked, “Ive seen police officers touch the back of vehicles right before they approach a car on a traffic stop. Why do they do this?”

When law enforcement officers conduct a traffic stop, there are plenty of procedures that need to be done, not only for the safety of the violator, but for the safety of that officer, Trooper Steve said. One of those things is proving that that officer was with that car, so when officers approach a vehicle, they touch the rear of it.

Trooper Steve said the method is used for two primary reasons.

The first reason is to make sure that the trunk is closed, he said. It may sound a little crazy, but you want to make sure that no one is about to jump out of the trunk and that its properly secured.

The second reason isnt as obvious.

Touching the rear of the vehicle puts the officers fingerprints on that car, showing that he or she was there with it, Trooper Steve said. In case the driver decided to flee the scene, or if something happened to that officer, it ties both the vehicle and the officer together. This is just one of the many things that take place during traffic stops to ensure everyones safety.

About the Authors:

Checking For A Latched Trunk

A police offer approaching a vehicle may believe they are in a dangerous situation and touch the back of the car to check for an open trunk latch. Doing this ensures that no one will pop out and unexpectedly cause them harm.

In many instances, police officers will have a partner with them during a traffic stop. One officer checks the back of the vehicle as the other approaches the driver’s side window. Doing this with a partner further ensures their safety and diminishes the opportunity for the driver to hide anything or to grab a weapon.

Also Check: How Long Does It Take To Program A Car Computer

Why Do Cops Touch/tap The Back Of A Car When They Stop You

An officer will touch the cars back to ensure their fingerprints are on the car. If the driver ends up doing something illegal in the future and flees, the officer can identify the vehicle and the owner with the help of these fingerprints.

Also, they touch the back of the car to ensure that the trunk is closed and that no one will pop out and ambush them.

What Do Cops Look For When Pulling Over A Car

Why do police touch the back of your car when they pull ...

Here are 15 things that practically force a cop to pull you over on the road.Walking out of a bar and into your car.Cutting off another driver. Blocking your license plate. Illegal U-turns. Driving too slowly. Illegal window tints. A roaring exhaust. Driving with your lights off. More itemsFeb 4, 2018

Recommended Reading: How To Remove Duct Tape Residue Off Car Paint

Inside The Town With Gator

This would help other police officers track down a missing member of the force even without video proof of a crime.

Trooper Steve Montiero backed up this theory by telling News 6: When law enforcement officers conduct a traffic stop, there are plenty of procedures that need to be done, not only for the safety of the violator, but for the safety of that officer.

One of those things is proving that, the officer was with that car. So when officers approach a vehicle, they touch the rear of it.

Another reason an officer may tap the taillight is to startle the driver.

Police officers run into unsafe situations when they pull people over, as some drivers may have illegal substances or prohibited items in their cars like guns, ammunition, or drugs.

Naturally, if the driver does have something illegal in the vehicle, he or she will want to hide it before the officer approaches the window.

So, one of the reasons why cops touch taillights are to startle the person inside.

The driver is likely not expecting the noise of the tap which typically causes him or her to stop for a moment, giving the police officer additional time to witness what the driver is trying to hide.

A third police tactic cops use is if an officer believes they are in a dangerous situation as they pull you over, they may touch the backend of your vehicle on the way to your window to make sure the trunk is latched.

This tactic ensures that no one is hiding in the trunk and could pop out.

Why Do Police Officers Touch Back Of Cars During Traffic Stops

There are two hidden reasons why a police officer will touch the back of a persons car while performing a traffic stop, according to Steve Montiero, who participated in a QA with Click Orlando. A viewer posed the question: Ie seen police officers touch the back of vehicles right before they approach a car on a traffic stop.

You May Like: Who Is Eligible For Usaa Car Insurance

Why Do Cops Touch The Back Of Cars

There are two “hidden” reasons why a police officer will touch the back of a person’s car while performing a traffic stop, according to Steve Montiero, who participated in a Q& A with .

A viewer posed the question: “Ive seen police officers touch the back of vehicles right before they approach a car on a traffic stop. Why do they do this?”

Even if you’ve never been stopped whilst driving yourself, if you grew up watching Cops for the excellent intro theme song, you’ve probably wondered the same thing. Officer Montiero delineated why this is the standard operating procedure when a cop pulls someone over.

“When law enforcement officers conduct a traffic stop, there are plenty of procedures that need to be done, not only for the safety of the violator but for the safety of that officer,” he said.

“The first reason is to make sure that the trunk is closed. It may sound a little crazy, but you want to make sure that no one is about to jump out of the trunk and that its properly secured.”

If there’s one thing that the motel scene from Scarface has proven, it’s that a threat can come from anywhere, including a seemingly innocuous person who’s hiding a machine gun under a pillow while watching TV. Officers want to make sure there’s no one trying to pull a potential surprise trunk attack.

Why Do Cops Touch The Back Of Your Car

Why do police officers always touch the back of a car?

At some point, practically everyone who drives a car will see those blue lights flashing in their rearview mirror, the signal that you are being stopped and need to pull over. It might make some people nervous, but the chances are, youre probably only going to get a speeding ticket.

However, more observant drivers may have noticed a peculiar police habit officers often touch or tap the back of your car as they approach your window. So, for anyone whos curious, here we answer the question, why do cops touch the back of your car?

If you want a preview of some of the stuff were going to be talking about, you can also check out this video before reading on.

Recommended Reading: Synchrony Gas Locations

How Do Cops Decide Who To Pull Over

When police officers are on patrol, they look for potentially illegal activities. If they see someone speeding, they may decide to pull them over.

They are also likely to stop drivers who are not wearing their seat belts or swerving out of their lane.

Its possible that the driver is drunk or tired, but it doesnt matter what the officers intention is if they believe that the driver is endangering other people on the road, then its their duty to pull them over.

To Startle The Driver

Inevitably, police officers are going to run into unsafe situations when they pull people over. Sometimes drivers will have illegal substances or prohibited items in their cars like guns, ammunition, or drugs. Naturally, if the driver does have something illegal in the vehicle, he or she will want to hide it before the officer approaches the window.

So, one of the reasons why cops touch tail lights is to startle the person inside. The driver is likely not expecting the noise of the tap which typically causes him or her to stop for a moment, giving the police officer additional time to witness what the driver is trying to hide .

The continuous practice of this surprise tactic has proven:

  • To increase the arrest of intoxicated drivers
  • To increase the arrest of sellers of prohibited substances
  • To increase the arrest of people found in possession of unlicensed firearms
  • Other road-related offenses
  • However, the practice of touching the tail light of vehicles can put our police officers in a risky situation. This is because this practice exposes the police officers position making him or her susceptible to attack.

    You May Like: How Many Square Feet Is A 2.5 Car Garage

    A Safety Net For The Officer

    With this in mind, in the past, police were trained to touch the back of the vehicle as they approached it to leave a fingerprint on the car. This acted as a kind of security net if anything went wrong.

    For example, if a criminal thought they were about to be arrested perhaps for a murder or other serious crime and out of desperation, decided to do try to escape, there would be some evidence to link the police officer to that vehicle.

    If the police officer was then killed or seriously injured, and the criminal claimed that the car had not been anywhere near the officer or the scene of the crime, the fingerprint on the back of the vehicle would prove otherwise.

    Of course, fingerprints can be washed off and will quickly disappear with exposure to sunlight, rain etc., but at least it would give something for other officers to look for.

    How Do I Request A Hearing Or Pay A Traffic Citation

    Why do Cops Touch the Back of Your Car?

    Be sure to completely review all of the instructions listed on the lower or back portion of your copy of the traffic citation. Specific instructions are listed for how to respond to the citation. For questions, please call District Justices office at 412-561-4415 or visit the court located at 680 Washington Road, Suite B-103, Pittsburgh, PA, 15228. Hearing requests or payments for traffic citations will not be accepted at the police station.

    Don’t Miss: How To Get My Car Title In Florida

    Why Police Officers Always Tap Back Of Car When Pulling You Over

    Police officers touch the back of cars they have pulled over before speaking to the driver, as seen in a viral TikTok video. A traffic expert explained the strange reason why

    • 20:50, 7 JUL 2021

    A viral TikTok video has shed light on an interesting thing police officers do when they pull over a car – showing numerous examples of cops who firmly tap the boot as they approach.

    In the clip, uploaded by user , a number of officers are filmed approaching vehicles from the left-hand side and in every instance, they tap the boot before speaking to the driver.

    The clip was watched more than 30 million times since it was uploaded on July 5 and thousands of people commented, with many suggesting it was because of fingerprints.

    One user said: “It’s to leave fingerprint so that when something bad happens to the cops the car’s owner would be questioned or suspected.”

    Read More

    A second commented: “Is it to leave fingerprints in case something goes wrong?”

    “Jokes on them mine is society prints can’t transfer,” joked a third.

    Someone else suggested to was to check if “someone is in the boot”.

    Traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero appeared on News 6 and backed up the fingerprint theory proposed on TikTok and explained the reason behind it.

    He said: “When law enforcement officers conduct a traffic stop, there are plenty of procedures that need to be done, not only for the safety of the violator but for the safety of that officer.

    Read More

    When Do Police Officers Stop People In A Vehicle

    In the United States, traffic stops are conducted by law enforcement to investigate a possible crime. Officers stop a vehicle because they have a reason to believe the driver has violated a motor vehicle law or traffic regulation.

    The most common reason for a traffic stop is speeding. If the officer suspects criminal activity, they may search the car, driver, and passengers for weapons or contraband. If the officer believes sufficient evidence, the driver may be arrested.

    Recommended Reading: Zte Mobley For Sale

    For A Civilized Citizen What It Means To Touch The Car

    In the case of a civil citizen who is for example in an altercation with a stranger, perhaps for a parking lot, or for other discussions, the fact of touching the car of your aggressor in a precise point can be useful to leave an imprint in this case too, as well as try to memorize the model immediately, color and license plate of the vehicle.

    Or driveway at night, you arrive in front of your door, there is no driver marks license plate and color, take a picture, touch the car in a precise place, write a message to a friend, if they arrive in 4 drunks and beat you and survive these are evidence.

    If you donât do this before even if you save yourself you may not remember the color because it was night, you donât know the license plate, etc.

    Self-defense is all there is before after is fight or flight and surviving is part of your skills.

    In case of random assault around your fingerprints would be on the car of your aggressor, and in case of situations of serious crimes they could all be evidence in the evidentiary phase of judgment.

    The evidentiary instruction is that part of the preliminary phase that deals with collecting the necessary evidence in order to decide on the issues identified and discussed during the discussion.

    Applying For Title License Plates And Registration

    Ever Wondered Why Cops Touch Your Cars Tail Light after Pulling You Over

    Apply for title, license plates and registration at any tax collector’s office in Florida. The cost of your license plate will depend on the type and weight of your vehicle. Your vehicle must always have a current license plate and you must always have your vehicle’s registration when you are driving. If you buy a vehicle from a dealer in Florida, the dealer must apply for a certificate of title, certificate of registration and license plate for you. If you buy a vehicle from an individual, you must obtain the title from the individual and apply for a certificate of title in your name. You may apply for certificate of title, certificate of registration and license plate at the same time. You cannot get a license plate until you have a title to prove that you own the vehicle.

    Recommended Reading: Squirrels In Engine Compartment

    Is It Safe For A Cop To Touch Your Tail Light

    Cops touching your tail light as they pull you over seems like an innocent strategy but is it actually compromising their safety? With violence against police happening more often than ever, tail light tapping could cause officers to be in danger. For instance, some police departments will instruct their officers not to touch tail lights at all, while others tell them to only touch the side of the vehicle, not the very back. Touching the tail light could put the officer right behind the vehicle, which would put them at risk of being hurt if the driver puts the car in reverse. As morbid as it sounds, these things happen, and officers must always be prepared for the worst as they approach any vehicle.

    Do The Police Need A Reason To Pull You Over

    The answer is no. The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibits law enforcement from conducting unreasonable searches and seizures. Any evidence obtained due to an unreasonable search and seizure is inadmissible in court.

    However, the police can stop a driver for any reason they see fit. There are also different rules if youre pulled over at night they can pull you over for any reason regardless of how youre driving, but they need to have a reasonable suspicion that youve done something wrong before they can search your car.

    Don’t Miss: How To Prevent Car Door From Freezing

    What Is Illegal For Cops To Do

    Types of misconduct include: coerced false confession, intimidation, false arrest, false imprisonment, falsification of evidence, spoliation of evidence, police perjury, witness tampering, police brutality, police corruption, racial profiling, unwarranted surveillance, unwarranted searches, and unwarranted seizure of

    How Do I Get Fingerprinted For My Job Application

    Why does the police touch the back light or the back of ...

    Fingerprinting for job applications is done on Tuesdays, from 8:30 AM until 10 AM. You must make an appointment with the Investigations Unit, 412-343-4095, prior to Tuesday . Walk-ins will not be accepted. You must also provide your own fingerprint card. The cost for a resident is $20.00 for the first card, $5.00 for each additional card. The cost for a non-resident is $25.00 for each card. Proof of residency is required. To schedule an appointment, contact the Investigations Unit, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM.

    Don’t Miss: How To Burn Mp3 Cd For Car

    More articles

    Popular Articles