NM - Officer Darian Jarrott, 28, fatally shot during Traffic Stop, I-10 near Las Cruces, 4 FEB 2021

[Reasonable & Just]

is it common to approach the passenger side of the vehicle and communicate with the driver there?
I know there's a danger of being hit by a passing vehicle when on the driver's side but around here, cops park their vehicles behind and slightly to the left of the pulled over car as a safety precaution - I've never seen them approach the passenger side unless there's two or more cops
just wondering if it is standard procedure there ...

I wondered that, too, but I'm sure he had a reason. Maybe it had to do with the tinted windows, or maybe he thought he had more cover on that side of the car.

No matter what, I can't imagine what his thoughts were when he realized what was going to happen. The killer was so cold and matter-of-fact. That nice young man - that good officer - deserved to go home to his partner and see his children grow up.

 

[LadyL]

I wondered that, too, but I'm sure he had a reason. Maybe it had to do with the tinted windows, or maybe he thought he had more cover on that side of the car.

No matter what, I can't imagine what his thoughts were when he realized what was going to happen. The killer was so cold and matter-of-fact. That nice young man - that good officer - deserved to go home to his partner and see his children grow up.

ITA
I wonder if the perp had a plan in advance to do this if he were to get pulled over

 

[SuziQ]

is it common to approach the passenger side of the vehicle and communicate with the driver there?
I know there's a danger of being hit by a passing vehicle when on the driver's side but around here, cops park their vehicles behind and slightly to the left of the pulled over car as a safety precaution - I've never seen them approach the passenger side unless there's two or more cops
just wondering if it is standard procedure there ...

For traffic reasons it is standard procedure in most places. They also have a better visual inside the vehicle from the passenger side mirror. In most cases the vehicle offers somewhat of a barrier between the perp and the officer.

RIP officer.

 

[LadyL]

For traffic reasons it is standard procedure in most places. They also have a better visual inside the vehicle from the passenger side mirror. In most cases the vehicle offers somewhat of a barrier between the perp and the officer.

RIP officer.

I thought it probably was. Just the first time I've seen it anywhere.

 

[Reasonable & Just]

ITA
I wonder if the perp had a plan in advance to do this if he were to get pulled over

Yes, I bet he was going to kill him no matter what. He just looks that way in his movements.