How will the officer let me know I should stop?

An officer will signal you with flashing lights and/or siren.
If you question whether the person is actually an officer,
pull over anyway and ask for identification when the person
approaches you. If he or she does not produce official identification,
you may leave.

What do I do when I'm being stopped?

Immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close
as possible to, the nearest edge or curb of the highway lawful for
parking and clear of any intersection when signaled with
flashing lights and/or sirens. If the officer wants to you move to
a different location, he or she will ask you to move.
The officer will find a safe place for you to stop. (Idaho Code 49-625).

Stay in your car. Do not get out and approach the officer.
The officer will come to you. He or she may approach your vehicle on either
side, depending on which side is safer.

Sit quietly with your hands visible. Keeping your hands on
the steering wheel can easily do this. Don't start looking through your car
for paperwork you expect the officer to request. The officer will give you
time to get any items requested.

Follow the officer's directions. The officer will probably
ask you to roll down your window or may direct you to a different location.
Have your paperwork within reach. All current registration,
insurance, and driver's license information should be within reach and accessible.
It must also be current. You can be cited for not having this information
available and current.

What will the officer be doing while I am waiting?

After pulling to the side of the roadway behind you, the officer will
notify dispatch personnel of the traffic stop, the location of the stop,
and request registration information on your vehicle.

The officer will approach your vehicle while looking for
signs of anything that might indicate criminal activity or a threat to the
officer or citizen safety. Criminals are located and arrested during simple
traffic stops every day.

The officer will discuss the violation with you and ask for your
insurance, registration, and driver's license. The officer will take
the information back to the patrol car to check the status of your driver's
license and for any outstanding warrants. The officer will then write out
the appropriate citation or warning. It may take a few minutes.

The officer will explain the citation and return your paperwork to you.
The officer may ask you to sign the citation. Your signature only indicates that
you received the citation, no that you agree with it.

When the officer is finished with the traffic stop, he or she will tell
you that you may go.You should carefully pull back into traffic.

What do I do if I have a gun in my vehicle?

It is much safer for you and the officer if you tell the officer
about the weapon immediately, then follow the officer's directions.
Do not reach toward it.

What if I didn't do it or I don't like the way the officer treated me?

The time to argue about your guilt or innocence is in court.
Instructions on how to plead not guilty are printed on the back of the citation.

If you feel that you were treated poorly by an officer, ask for the officer's
business card or note the officer's name on his or her nametag. Then contact the
officer's supervisor. Each complaint will be investigated.

Idaho City Police Department (208) 392-4596
Boise County Sheriff's Office (208) 392-4411

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