[tlm225]

When I first joined the force a "veteran" officer had these words of advice for us rookies. "On a traffic stop either take their money or their pride, but not both". Strange, I have spend a great deal of time studying my job and have never found anything that says one of my responsibilities is to take someones pride. (BTY, this officer later committed perjury in federal court and was forced to leave law enforcement for life. Personally I think he should have gone to prison.)

I believe in and instruct my officers to treat everyone one with as much dignity and respect as they allow you to. That said, a firm but professional initial contact establishes the officers position without antagonizing the citizen. How the contact goes from there is determined by the citizen's words and actions.

Needless to say that this suffices for the vast majority of situations but bear in mind that the officers initial demeanor will be very different for a high risk contact.