head-on traffic stop.

[wilaw]

I'd like to know some opinions on this action. Tactically, this stop was in very poor positioning, but here is the scenario. I was patrolling in a campground at about 0030. This is a campground with lots of families, and even midnight, its a Sat. so many families are still huddling around the campfire. I also had a partner for this stop. The speed limit is 20mph when this car drove past me at 40mph (at least). They were headed to an area where they would be forced to do a U-turn. On the way back I blocked the intersection at 45 degree angle and activated my lights. They stopped about 20 yards in front of my squad.
The interaction took place without incidence and other than the person driving getting a serious lecture from me. Their claim (which was prob. true) was that they were trying to find the exit. I ended it with a warning rather than a citation due to their cooperation, attitude and I believed a citation was not needed for them to comply. Personally she seemed to be the type that just had a lead foot.
The reason I made the stop in such a fashion is that I had no place to turn around in order to do the stop from behind once they did the U-turn headed back towards me, no drives, curb, and a truck with a turning radius of a 4 lane HWY. By the time I caught up it would have been close, if not in the area of the campers. and lights would have caused a serious disruption. Also, I had a partner so more eyes to spot danger. We were in a truck, they were in a car so our light actually was even better than a spotlight. Just wanted some thought, but please no cut-downs. How would you have possibly handled the situation of an on-coming car that you don't want to proceed past your point?
thanks

[Iowa #1603]

I have done similar in the past.............

[jdthor]

I wouldnt have worried whether it disrupted the campers or not.Better you doing your job than some kid getting ran over.

One thing to consider is ,If the car had rammed your truck across the roadway,Could you articulate the reason for doing so for someone doing 20 miles over the limit for the accident review board if they claim your lights blinded them from the front and they couldnt see.

People always look for angles .

[Name Taken]

Why seek vindication from a bunch of strangers?

Did you talk to it with the person it actually affected? Your partner?

In real world there can never be "perfection" when talking tactics. You have to put yourself in the best position to accomplish the task given what you have.

Head on or behind the person can exit the vehicle just as fast and start to engage you.

[allen_gamble]

I'll take your word for it. That may have been the best option. Lots of traffic stops are not textbook because the person does something squirrelly like pull halfway into a park space. I think the most important thing is usually to get the inside of the car lit up and exit your vehicle quickly.

[Rettroop]

No prob with me wilaw. Gotta do things to get the job done

[chapwolfe]

Doesn't sound like you had much choice in the matter. Had they gotten past you, who's to say they wouldn't have run over a camper? The driver coulda dropped the hammer and there you'd be in a pursuit in a bad place.

[allen_gamble]

Many times I've come from the wrong direction on a felony vehicle stop. It just happens. Last time, I came within a safe distance, hit the suspect vehicle with my spotlight, jumped out of my car and ran up to the primary vehicle while staying out of the line of fire. My only other option would have been to drive right past the felony stop and flip a b1tch to get in position, thus remaining in the line of fire from both suspects and officers.

[wilaw]

Thanks for all your ideas, it made me feel better about the stop. I like the idea about the lights blinding (remember to take that into consideration to make ever effort o prevent it), I never thought about that one...good to remember. Ramming is definitely a concern. Not that it would be a good thing in any case, but this would have been an F250 Vs. an escort. we did exit the vehicle immediately and one good thing about being pitch black is we make for a very hard target. I did talk with my partner and he didn't have any problems. One lesson I learned in this particular situation is to give it a few minutes to see if they would do exactly what they did (turn around right away) In this case what comes in, has to come out the same road. if they didn't, then pursue...Thanks everyone

[chapwolfe]

I drive an F-150 4-door, so I can empathize with turning radius.

[mdrdep]

Tactical rule 1 Semper Gumby