5. The Pop Up Theory
Safety measures that prevent an officer from getting ambushed on the job are now apart of “The Pop-Up Theory”. The pop-up theory was much more useful in the 60s and 70s when radical crime groups often ambushed officers, staging emergency situations. Today times have changed and most trunks cannot be popped open from the inside or outside, but rather by using a key or remote. In most cases, police academy instructors teach cadets not to touch the rear of the vehicle. They do, however, suggest that they put their hands on the side of the vehicle, where most tail lights curve into anyway. This will prevent the owner of the vehicle from backing up and running the officer over which has happened in a few instances.