(06-05-2020, 09:36 AM)copycat Wrote: Curious and hopeful that maybe we can all agree there are no easy answers.  I offer a hypothetical question:

A white police officer is sitting in his car on the side of the street finishing up some paperwork when he hears over the radio: “Be on the lookout for a black male in his mid to late 20’s wearing a red shirt and driving a blue sedan.  He has been involved in a domestic dispute and has abducted a 4 year old child.  He is considered to be armed and dangerous.”

At that moment a 27 year old black male headed to work driving a blue sedan crosses the intersection the police officer is sitting at. The man is dropping of his 4 year old son at the daycare around the corner before starting his day as an Asst. Manager at Target.

Now ask yourself the following questions.

1. What should the police officer do? 
2. How would you respond if you were the man headed to work?
3. How many different ways can this interaction go depending on either the young mans or the police officers actions?

Sorry I forgot to answer your original post.  In my opinion another user has the right idea.

1.  The police officer should call in the car matching the description including the license plate number and his location.  He should initiate a traffic stop and the dispatcher should automatically start a backup unit to the location.  The officer needs to approach just like any other traffic stop with the usual precautions, and upon making contact with the driver should get ID information and inform the driver as to why he was pulled over.  During that contact he should note the behavior and demeanor of all occupants in the vehicle.  Once information clears the driver of not being the suspect being looked for the driver should thank him for his cooperation and wish him a good day.

2.  If I am the man headed to work I would hand over my identification and listen the the police officer's explanation and follow instructions.  Most people don't know this, but one key thing that police officers watch is your hands.  I would keep my hands in plain view at all times and not reach for anything without informing the officer what I am about to reach for.

3.  It's hard to judge how the situation could go, but in this scenario I would like to think that the man going to work would be cooperative and understanding.  I would also like to think that the officer would conduct himself in a professional manner.  It could go south real quick for any number of reasons.  Does the man that was pulled over seem irate or nervous?  Is he hostile or rude towards the police officer?  Does the child appear to be scared?  Does the man make sudden moves or is otherwise uncooperative?  Is the officer rude or "accusing"?  Too many factors could make the situation go south very quickly.

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