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
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
Comment