It is best to keep your hands on the steering wheel. You may think you are being helpful or saving time by getting out your driver s license as you wait for the officer to approach. At night, the officer will shine lights into your car to better see any potential dangers. If you need to remove it from a bag, jacket pocket or glove compartment, please try not to block the view of the officer who wants to be sure the driver is not reaching for a weapon or hiding contraband. Also, do not be surprised if another officer arrives at some point during the stop.
Officers routinely back each other up for safety reasons, especially if another squad is nearby.
The officer will normally return to the squad to run a check your driver's license and registration to ensure they are valid. All UWPD squads have mobile data computers that allow us to run your information through the Department of Transportation records system right from the squad car. No matter what the violation, the officer will always confirm you have a valid driver s license and registration. As with all technology, some days are better than others. It can take time to check your data, even longer if some part of the system is slow.