SOP for motorcycle distance from other vehicles during routine stop

[JJ9]

Is there any information in the CHP motorcycle patrol procedures manual that specifies the minimum distance between the CHP motorcycle and another vehicle during a routine stop? How close is too close? Is there a recommended or required safe distance?
Thank you,

John

[Tiredmotor]

I am curious as to why you would ask such a question. Anyway, this would fall under Officer Safety info and is not to be divulged.

[JJ9]

Well, I like to study cases (exciting hobby, I know, but I like to keep my investigative skills sharp) and I was curious about a case that I heard of where an officer pulled up behind someone while they were pulling out of a parking space and he stopped right behind the vehicle, according to the driver, and the motorcycle was tipped over by the driver because he stated that he didn't see the officer. So I was curious as to which party was at fault in this situation. If the officer was too close during the stop or if the driver was at fault even if he didn't see the officer simply because it was a routine stop.
May I ask why safety information cannot be divulged?

Thanks again.

[makakona]

May I ask why safety information cannot be divulged?
is that a serious question???

it doesn't matter who or what was behind him, the parked vehicle has the duty to keep a proper lookout behind while backing out of his space.

i'm not an officer, just a reformed auto insurance claims adjustor. ;)

[SB 405]

JJ, bad guys can read too.

[Chippysgt]

Is there any information in the CHP motorcycle patrol procedures manual that specifies the minimum distance between the CHP motorcycle and another vehicle during a routine stop? How close is too close? Is there a recommended or required safe distance?
Thank you,

John


Your question involves officer safety tactics more than driving safety. We do not discuss the details of officer safety tactics publicly since we do not want the bad guys to know what to expect when they see the red light. Many officers have given their lives for us to learn how to do things as safely as possible.
The best way to learn all about things like this is to take the test, walk the dreaded mile and maybe someday have the distinction of being a CHP Motor Officer. What greater plateau can a person reach than that..................:cool:

[JJ9]

Ok, I wasn't aware that safety information had to do with anything more than just safety guidelines. I understand not wanting "bad guys" to see procedure that would put an officer at risk. I don't think like a criminal so it seemed like a harmless question.
But thanks for the replies.

JJ

[alanechange]

Well, I like to study cases (exciting hobby, I know, but I like to keep my investigative skills sharp) and I was curious about a case that I heard of where an officer pulled up behind someone while they were pulling out of a parking space and he stopped right behind the vehicle, according to the driver, and the motorcycle was tipped over by the driver because he stated that he didn't see the officer. So I was curious as to which party was at fault in this situation. If the officer was too close during the stop or if the driver was at fault even if he didn't see the officer simply because it was a routine stop.
May I ask why safety information cannot be divulged?

Thanks again.

sounds like 22106- unsafe backing on the citizen. case closed, guilty.

[dw]

sounds like 22106- unsafe backing on the citizen. case closed, guilty.

Maybe... Except the majority of the Vehicle Code does not apply on private property, on which many parking lots are located. We're not given even close to enough details to speculate as to fault here.

[makakona]

perhaps it's just the area we're in, but i'm surprised that almost every parking lot around here has signs posted that the vehicle code and penal code apply or just a catch-all "law enforcement codes apply."

from an insurance standpoint, which obviously has nothing at all to do with legality, it's cut and dry. i had VERY few backing claims where the person in the aisle was at fault and it was always because we had a list of witnesses who said the party was driving willy-nilly through the lot, speeding or weaving or whatever.

[MotorInLA]

JJ9,
as I am not a member of ?the Department? I cannot comment on CHP rules and policies. On the bright side, I am not bound by the ?we must not talk about it? policy either. :smile:

As a motor officer I find that distance and positioning of my motor on traffic stops varies greatly depending on many factors, including, but not limited to, elements such as the location of the stop, the driving behavior of the violator and perceived threat level of the stop.

There is no such thing as a ?safe distance?. No violator has backed up and ran over my motor yet, however, I have had several violators back up into my patrol car during ?routine? traffic stops. :sad:

I know this is probably not the answer you were looking for, but many things in day-to-day Law Enforcement are fluid and ever-changing, as we react to, or attempt to anticipate, how people will act when we contact them.

[Flying Pig]

Ahhh...another outsider......good deal.....we are starting to taking over. We'll have to thank dw for setting up this site for us.....pretty soon CHP Forums will be all cops from other agencies! We're like vultures circling road kill :badgrin:

[G-Man]

We're like vultures circling road kill :badgrin:



hey you said it not me. haha j/k :biggrin:

[MotorInLA]

I was wondering what that smell was...

[PapaBear]

Is there any information in the CHP motorcycle patrol procedures manual that specifies the minimum distance between the CHP motorcycle and another vehicle during a routine stop? How close is too close? Is there a recommended or required safe distance?
Thank you,

John


If you cannot dismount and get the hell out of the way before the suspect backs into you, you are parked to damn close!

Tom

[PeckerHead]

I think the Motor Cop was at fault! Obviously he was admiring himself in his rear view mirror and didn't see it coming. Hope he didn't scuff his boots:badgrin:

[chp36]

Ahhh...another outsider......good deal.....we are starting to taking over. We'll have to thank dw for setting up this site for us.....pretty soon CHP Forums will be all cops from other agencies! We're like vultures circling road kill :badgrin:



Welcome, if you are in fact a LEO (no way to verify). I am not too sure how to take the comments about "taking over" and "like vultures circling road kill." I apoligize if I am wrong, but it kind of sounds sarcastic. If so, remember you can access chp forums but not chippies only.

[decon]

and crap like that is why we have the chippies only

[SB 405]

Wait,cops are sarcastic?......Since when?:lol:

[PapaBear]

I am quite certain that when the day comes that two individuals posting in here are in need of assistance and CHP is the first on scene, neither of them will question the patrol's training methods before some good old azzkicking begins. They will be thankful and come to their senses. There are a number of law enforcement agencies out there and when help is needed every individual cop is a brother. Keep yourselves safe and be less reticent and demeaning to your brothers and sisters.

Tom

[Mac]

Keep yourselves safe and be less reticent and demeaning to your brothers and sisters.
Excellent advice, PapaBear.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I do not engage in publicly slamming allied agencies, nor do I advocate it. Therefore, as a moderator here, I won't tolerate cheap shots directed at the CHP by allied agency personnel either. Even though we wear different uniforms, we're all (supposedly) on the same team. When the fecal matter hits the fan, I don't look to see what color the uniform is before deciding whether I'll jump in and lend a hand, and I would hope that anybody wearing a badge and uniform would feel the same way.

My advice - if you don't have anything good to say here about "XXX PD" or "XXX SO", then don't say anything. If you came here just to take cheap shots at the CHP, you won't be here long.

[MotorInLA]

No need for hostility? as mentioned we are all brothers (although apparently some family counseling may be in order?(relax, just another joke)). No bashing of any kind was intended.

[Flying Pig]

Wow...that got taken way out of context....yes, I am a cop, search around and youll find exactly who I am and what agency I work for. Ive backed the CHP many times from the air and on the ground and you guys have with me also..In fact, when I called an 11-99 a couple of weeks ago we were all there together ..about 8 CHP and about 10 Deputies and H-40. My comment about road kill was meant as a jab to us outsiders who are on the site......you know...vultures circle waiting for the left over scraps and all. Not that the CHP is road kill. I guess I can see how that was taken. You'll find I have never posted anything negative about the CHP and have in fact set several "visiting" officers straight on some of their comments. And I am careful not to post on questions related specifically to CHP. If someone has an LE related question, I generally always start off by saying Im not a CHP Officer as not to give to wrong impression. I come to this site because I like to talk with cops....not to get into the us vs them garbage.

CHP36.....I see your in Central Ca. If your ever around Fresno....Maybe we can meet up sometime at the local watering hole.

[chp36]

Flying pig,

Thanks for the clearification. I just wish that everyone in LE (across the country) would always remember we are all on the same team with the same goals. I appreciate your time clarifying your post and I am glad to see you share the same views.

[Mac]

...You'll find I have never posted anything negative about the CHP and have in fact set several "visiting" officers straight on some of their comments. And I am careful not to post on questions related specifically to CHP.
I'll vouch for you on that!