Advanced Vehicle Stop Tactics Book Review

I recently purchased and read Advanced Vehicle Stop Tactics by Michael T. Rayburn. I had previously read Advanced Patrol Tactics by Rayburn and thought it was a good book, so I figured I would give his traffic stop book a read also.

Let me start by saying that Rayburn covers nearly any type of traffic stop you can imagine.  This book of course covers low or unknown risk stops on cars but also has sections on motorcycles, busses, semi-trucks, vans, and RVs.  While I have never done a high risk or felony stop on an RV, I now have some insight on how to do one safely.

I have made a lot of traffic stops in my time as a police officer.  Rayburn’s book makes a lot of sense and matches my experiences.  Unlike some of the tactics taught by people who have never been there, Rayburn’s tactics are based in the real world.  As it says on the cover “Written by a Patrolman for Patrol Officers.”

The book is a quality paperback that is thin enough to slip into a gear bag and keep with you on patrol. It is a good officer safety reference to have with you and review during down time or on a break. You can never refresh on the basics often enough in my opinion.

Advanced Vehicle Stop Tactics is an easy read at just over 100 pages, and has many diagrams and pictures to supplement the text.  If you spend very much time making traffic stops, this book is well worth the time to read it.

Something you should consider is working out how to do some of the larger vehicle stops with your zone partners and others on your shift. Making a felony stop on a bus isn’t an every day occurrence, but if you take a look at the tactics in this book, and then work out the details with your shift mates, you will be ready to tackle one if and when it becomes necessary.

One additional application for this book is as part of your agency’s field training and evaluation program (FTEP). While the academy was supposed to teach your recruit everything he or she needs to know about a traffic stop, we know reality is a lot different from the academy. This book will make a great supplement to your training efforts.

Stay safe!