When approaching suspicious vehicles, what is a recommended practice?

Gathering information from a distance is crucial when approaching suspicious vehicles because it helps ensure the safety of law enforcement officers. This method allows you to assess the situation without putting yourself at undue risk. Observing the vehicle and its occupants from a safe distance can provide valuable insights into their behavior, any potential threats, and the overall situation.

By staying at a distance, an officer can remain aware of their environment and retain the ability to react quickly if needed. This practice minimizes the chance of escalating a situation prematurely and allows for a strategic approach based on the observed behavior.

Other methods, such as driving alongside the vehicle or exiting the patrol car immediately, can place an officer in a vulnerable position without sufficient information about the occupants or their intentions. Making physical contact to question occupants can be risky and may escalate tensions unnecessarily, which is why gathering initial information from a safe distance is typically advised.