Sun glasses on traffic stop question

[besafe2]

If you work days & weather permitting, do you wear sun glasses when out on traffic stops ?
PS: I did ask this on another forum, but would like to get some answers here. Thanks folks for all you do.

[Dudleydoright]

My department prefers that officers not wear their sunglasses on a traffic stop. This isn't rigidly enforced.

[Standard Dave]

We only wear them to drive supposed to remove them at all other times.

[Falcata]

there is some directive in the book or rules somewhere...that states we shouldn't wear 'mirrored' shades.

I only wear sunglasses in the car or out of it, if i don't have a hat on.

If I wear a hat, then I rely totally on the peak to shade my eyes...

I'm a big fan of shades whilst driving for the safety aspect, as well as comfort. I'm currently using RayBans at work.

I do recommend that the shades you use for driving are 'polarised' to reduce glare and reflection from windscreens (windshields) etc

[chris2001]

Its not polite and its not widely used on traffic stops around here. You use them to drive and thats about it. Unless you are outside doing other things then possibly.

[Curt581]

I wear mine all the time. And I work nights.

[BEK]

Yes all the time. I have an eye condition...see I squint when its sunny out and it looks like I have my eyes closed. Even though we were told in the acadamy not to have them on it gets bright out there

[Virginian]

My department prefers that officers not wear their sunglasses on a traffic stop. This isn't rigidly enforced.

Exactly the same here.

[tx-leo]

If you work days & weather permitting, do you wear sun glasses when out on traffic stops ?
PS: I did ask this on another forum, but would like to get some answers here. Thanks folks for all you do.

Always, during daylight hours.

[lcsodre108]

During the day I wear them all the time.

[Jks9199]

If you work days & weather permitting, do you wear sun glasses when out on traffic stops ?
PS: I did ask this on another forum, but would like to get some answers here. Thanks folks for all you do.

I'll wear sunglasses while I'm driving, or if I'm out directing traffic or something like that, but any contact I'm making, I take 'em off or at least move them to the top of my head. I like polarized lenses; they cut glare on things like windshields out... But I take them off for two reasons. First -- I don't want to have my vision obscured by anything, or make it harder to see into the car as I'm approaching. Second, it makes me look friendlier. Sunglasses block the eyes; we communicate a lot through our eyes. (Why do you think so many poker players hide behind dark glasses?) Sometimes, the same words and tone become very different without that basic eye contact, and it can offend some people that would have been fine otherwise.

There's one other reason to wear eye protection while you're at the wheel... A range instructor I know had occasion to experiment with shooting through the windshield. He was amazed at how much glass came back at him...and very glad to have had shooting glasses on.

[Jks9199]

We don't have any directives on wearing glasses while on traffic stops and I don't really care how "polite" it is. I wear my glasses as much as possible and in my opinion is this is an officer safety issue.

First, I like to make sure they are dark enough so the person I'm interacting with cant see my eyes. That way he/she has no idea where I'm looking and they don't know if it's safe to reach for that gun, knife, drugs, etc. ...

Second, we had an officer make a traffic stop and when he approached the vehicle the driver sprayed him with mace. Since he had sunglasses on it minimized the effect (it didn't get into his eyes) and he was able to grab the suspects arm and fight him until back-up arrived.

For the minimal chance that someone might spray you and the slight advantage of them not seeing your eyes, why create a dark room for them? Or, depending on just how dark your lenses are, end up "night blinded" if they're knocked off?

You can minimize the chance of being sprayed, spit on or anything else through positioning on a traffic stop; I seldom advance beyond the rear post of the driver's door unless and until I have to AND feel comfortable doing so. Passenger side approaches would also reduce the chance. You should be monitoring the occupants as you approach, and should be able to see suspect movement. Nothing says we ever HAVE to leave the driver in the car! Pa. v Mimms and Md. v Wilson allow us to control the movements of the driver and passengers of a car, whether we leave them in the car or have them step out. If they're moving too much... Have them step out!

[kdm0409]

I wear mine all the time as well and I'm a little redneck and put them on the top of my head when not wearing them... I have always done this... I agree with Will about wearing them on a stop and the individual not knowing where you are looking that does help some... I again agree with Will about not caring if it is rude or not.. who cares?!?! lol

[Bandit]

We have no restrictions on wearing sunglasses. Personally, the sun hurts my eyes. We don't wear hats any more, so there's no brim to shield the eyes. The intimidation factor is a benefit, and the ladies can't see where your eyes are looking.

[AngryBassets]

I take them off before getting out of my car. I like to be able to see into the car I'm stopping.

We are supposed to wear hats whenever we are out of the car, but the current administration doesn't push the issue. Sunglasses + uniform hats = dork.

[PACMAN]

I wear mine all the time. And I work nights.

The sun never sets when your cool, not that I was looking at the hiked up skirt behind these oakleys honey.

[BACADetective]

If you work days & weather permitting, do you wear sun glasses when out on traffic stops ?
PS: I did ask this on another forum, but would like to get some answers here. Thanks folks for all you do.

Are the sunglasses prescription lenses?
Mine are.
(Rayban "Wayfarers" and not the "aviator" type so commonly associated with Police)

[Cochese]

Arnettes, almost all the time when the sun is out.

[NavLaw]

if you work anyplace on or near water, the glasses are a must.

[Lazy Fed]

I have transition lenses for my glasses, they work fine for me.