So many questions on what happened to Sandra Bland

[Lee-Lee]

29. On your first question, passenger side approaches are the standard in most departments now.

For several reasons.

If it's an interstate of busy freeway they are safer from traffic. That road wasn't bad enough for it, but you get in the habit and stay in it.

It allows the officer to better see all inside the car as well as the drivers actions and how they move both of their hands.

In the event that the driver attempts to shoot the officer on initial approach the officer is farther away and can more easily get more distance and out of the drivers line of sight.

In the event the driver decides to flee they will flee back into the lane of travel- the officer is less likely to be run over if approaching on the passenger side.

I was trained to always do a passenger side approach unless it you in a steep downhill like into a ditch, and after that to mix up sides based on whatever your comfort level says.

You will note he also touches the back of her car just under the trunk as he approaches- that is also textbook, he is leaving a fingerprint. That way should he get injured or killed and the persons flee in the car there is forensic evidence that this is the car he stopped- because tags can be swapped of stolen.