THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING POSITIVE POLICE/COMMUNITY RELATIONS DURING THE FOUR STAGES OF A TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT OPERATION IS EMPHASIZED. GREAT CARE SHOULD BE EXERCISED WHEN A VIOLATION IS OBSERVED AND THE VIOLATOR IS PURSUED: WEATHER, ROAD, AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS MUST BE ASSESSED AND THE POLICE OFFICER MUST AVOID COMMITTING A TRAFFIC VIOLATION HIMSELF. TO STOP THE VIOLATOR, BLOWING THE HORN AND GESTURING, RATHER THAN USING OVERHEAD LIGHTS, IS RECOMMENDED. AT NIGHT, BLINKING THE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT. CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO STOP THE DRIVER IN AN AREA THAT WILL NOT PRESENT A DANGER TO THE OFFICER, THE OFFENDER, OR OTHER MOTORISTS. IT IS BEST TO STOP THE DRIVER AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE VIOLATION HAS OCCURRED. SIRENS AND RED LIGHTS SHOULD BE USED ONLY AS A LAST RESORT. THE PATROL CAR SHOULD BE DRIVEN DIRECTLY BEHIND THAT OF THE VIOLATOR. ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STOPPED, THE PATROL CAR SHOULD BE PARKED 1 CAR LENGTH BEHIND AND 2 FEET TO THE LEFT OF THE STOPPED VEHICLE. PLACING THE PATROL CAR AT AN ANGLE WITH WHEELS TURNED TO THE EXTREME RIGHT OFFERS EXTRA PROTECTION FOR THE OFFICER. THE OFFICER SHOULD COMPOSE HIMSELF AND FORMULATE A PLAN OF ENFORCEMENT ACTION PRIOR TO CONFRONTING THE VIOLATOR. COMPLETE SELF-CONTROL AND CAUTION IS IMPERATIVE. THE OFFICER SHOULD POSITION HIMSELF TO THE REAR OF THE VIOLATOR'S CAR DOOR, THUS MAKING SUDDEN ATTACK MORE DIFFICULT. THE INTERVIEW WILL USUALLY DETERMINE THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF THE ENFORCEMENT ACTION. THE OFFICER SHOULD BE COURTEOUS AND PLEASANT, AND THE INTERVIEW SHOULD BE HANDLED WITH AS LITTLE INTERPERSONAL FRICTION AS POSSIBLE. ANNOUNCING THE VIOLATION AND THE INTENDED ACTION IMMEDIATELY MINIMIZES BICKERING AND LESSENS THE CHANCE OF ARGUMENTS. OPERATOR'S LICENSE AND REGISTRATION SHOULD BE ACCEPTED WITH THE OFFICER'S WEAK HAND, LEAVING THE STRONGER HAND FREE FOR ACTION. THE SUMMONS SHOULD BE CAREFULLY AND LEGIBLY EXECUTED, AND DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED AS THEY ARE RETURNED TO THE VIOLATOR. CLOSE CONTACT BETWEEN THE OFFICER AND THE VIOLATOR SHOULD BE KEPT AT A MINIMUM. THE OFFICER SHOULD OFFER WHATEVER ADVICE OR INFORMATION IS NECESSARY, AND THE VIOLATOR'S ARGUMENTS OR COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE HEARD OBJECTIVELY AND ATTENTIVELY. OFFICERS SHOULD ASSIST THE MOTORIST INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC, BUT DELAY THEIR OWN DEPARTURE TO PREVENT A VIOLATOR'S FEELING HARRASSED. WHEN THE VIOLATOR IS OUT OF SIGHT THE OFFICER MAY AGAIN RESUME PATROL. (JAP)