Lesson
Advanced Roadside Interview Techniques For Patrol Officers (December 8-9, 2025) – HITS
Taught by Highway Interdiction Training Specialists Inc. (HITS)
The two-day (16 hour) Advanced Roadside Interview Techniques for Patrol Officers course is specifically formulated for the uniformed patrol officer who makes traffic stops. Literally hundreds of thousands of patrol officers throughout the country conduct traffic stops on a daily basis. In fact traffic enforcement is one of the most important public services performed by uniformed patrol officers. The majority of those motorists that are stopped are productive citizens of the community who have merely committed a traffic infraction. However, the remaining traffic stops involve those who are committing crime. The officer is tasked with conducting positive encounters with motorists as well as challenged with apprehending those who are committing unlawful acts. Many of these unlawful acts are not all persons with dignity and respect. Officers will gain an understanding of how to conduct non-intrusive roadside interviews that uncover criminal activity. The student will learn awareness and effective communication skills that are essential to making traffic stops that avoid complaints, assist in gaining compliance from persons, as well as detecting persons committing unlawful acts. The officer will gain knowledge of how to verbally control persons without instigating a confrontation. The course addresses the detection of deceptive behavior indicative of concealed criminal activity. The course covers the roadside interview process from the initial observation of the violator to the final assessment of the stop. The student will also be exposed to effective phrases that can be used during roadside interviews.
The method of instruction of the Advanced Roadside Interview Techniques for Patrol Officers course involves the
implementation of numerous video clips from actual traffic stops that are designed to stress learning points as well as provoke discussion from the student group. The students will be encouraged to analyze video throughout the course, for key learning points.
TOPICS:
Be able to discuss the aspects of roadside interviewing
Know the two key elements of a roadside interview
Identify verbal deceptive behavior and associated body language
Discuss the importance of non-verbal communication relative to the roadside interview process
Know the basic rules relative to traffic stops as it relates to the interview process
Know the importance of initial contact observations
Be able to discuss the roadside interview process
Be familiar with the assessment process of the interview
Identify effective phrases that can be used during roadside interviews
The course is advanced as it goes beyond the basics of a traffic stop and encourages the officer to constantly assess the circumstances surrounding the stop through developed awareness and communication skills
$350