PURPOSE:
The purpose of this station order is to establish guidelines and protocol for West Hollywood Deputies in regards to reaching into occupied moving or stationary vehicles during a traffic stop or investigation.
SCOPE:
All personnel assigned to West Hollywood Station and Universal Sub Station are covered under this order.
ORDER:
Several risk factors arise when attempting to reach into an occupied vehicle with an uncooperative suspect.
The potential and inherent danger of serious bodily injury may occur if the driver chooses to flee while a deputy is reaching into the vehicle. The possibility of losing your balance, having your hands pulled in to the vehicle, the inability to retrieve your firearm, thus reduces your position of advantage and exposes you to a life-threatening situation.
In addition, there are several risks factors which would cause us to create a life-threatening situation by reaching into an occupied moving or stationary vehicle. These risk factors include but are not limited to, deadly lethal force, great bodily injury to yourself, the driver, the public, and potential civil and legal liability.
This unit order is an informational tool and life-threatening decisions should be evaluated on an individual case by case scenario.