Officer approaching cars.

[JLH81]

I suppose I should have asked this during my Internship, but I didn' t notice any cops doing this. My girlfriend has tinted windows on her car. They're not super dark (within legal IL limit). Anyway's, we got stopped a few nights ago because one of her headlights was out. I already knew it was out, just didn't get around to fixing it yet. Anyway's, upon approaching the vehicle, the cop walked up to the car, moved to the center of the car in the back and touched the trunk and then the side of the car as he approached. I did have all of the windows rolled down, and I turned on the dome light. It was getting dark, but wasn't pitch black. My question is, why was the cop touching the car? I am sure that I will find out soon enough when I go to the Police Academy, but I was just wondering why he was doing that? Is that some kind of Officer saftey?

Also, in case you were wondering, I didn't get a ticket. He was really cool with me and thanked me for rolling down all the windows at turning the dome light on. I informed him that I was trying to make the stop as safe as possible for him.

[AZLawDawg]

I wouldnt have walked to the center of the back of the car to touch it, big no - no, never put yourself between your car and the violator vehicle. You silhouette yourself with your own headlights/spotlight and your takedowns if it's night, and you also put yourself in harms way because the driver can throw it in reverse and run you down.
I just reach over and touch the corner of the trunk lid as I pass.
As to why, you'll find out when you get to the academy.

[LeanG]

There really is a reason. But I can't reveal it.

[irishdep]

I wouldnt have walked to the center of the back of the car to touch it, big no - no, never put yourself between your car and the violator vehicle. You silhouette yourself with your own headlights/spotlight and your takedowns if it's night, and you also put yourself in harms way because the driver can throw it in reverse and run you down.
I just reach over and touch the corner of the trunk lid as I pass.
As to why, you'll find out when you get to the academy.

Amen to that!

[signal1]

Actually, two different things are happening when touching the trunk but as stated, you will find out soon enough.

[D.o.D cop]

After you find out, you'll have a "forehead requesting palm moment!"

[BikeCop501]

After you find out, you'll have a "forehead requesting palm moment!"

Yeah it is pretty obvious when you think about it... but he did back light himself pretty good... big no-no

[pujolsfan146]

My girlfriend has tinted windows on her car. They're not super dark (within legal IL limit).

In Illinois it does not matter the shade of the tint. It has to do with the year of the vehicle and if it is a year in which the tint is illegal you can't have it on the front passenger or driver windows. On a 4 door the tint is legal for the rear two doors and the rear window.

[ChiTownDet]

In Illinois, upon approaching a vehicle on a stop, you are required to quickly scribble your initials, in the dirt, on the first flat surface of the car you are approaching, as proof that you actually conducted the stop.

[Roughrider28]

He was writing "Wash Me"

[SPD_404]

He put a "Have You Hugged A Cop Today?" bumper sticker on the trunk. It was curtious to turn on the light, but I wouldnt get in the habbit of reaching all over the car when an officer is approaching.

[Kevin_Callahan]

In Illinois, upon approaching a vehicle on a stop, you are required to quickly scribble your initials, in the dirt, on the first flat surface of the car you are approaching, as proof that you actually conducted the stop.

We are required by our agency to do this on ALL stops.

[Eslick]

didn't the pharisee's ask the same thing when Jesus wrote in the sand?

[superkoopa]

Not a reply, but another question that I thought didn't need another thread:
I know the answer as to why he touched the car, but why aren't you guys telling the thread poster why? It's not like it's some secret ninja tactic.

[Mirrain]

These boards are public and open to anyone. Those details are still LEO knowledge even if there are a number of people who have that information. I'd say there are some things in our training that is okay to release, others not so much. This being the latter.

Unfortunately someone already has when they mentioned "wash me". It's code to other cops that the person was stopped recently.