Etowah County deputies learn new traffic stop safety techniques

ETOWAH COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) - Deputies with the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office are learning new training techniques to help keep the public and law enforcement safe during certain traffic stops.

Chief Josh Morgan with the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office said training techniques have to be constantly updated to keep everyone safe.

“VCQB which is vehicle closed quarter battles, most people would’ve known it as a traffic felony stop. We refer to it now as a known risk stop,” Morgan said.

Deputies and investigators at the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office face risk whenever they stop a driver. The department is making sure everyone is equipped, trained and prepared for the unexpected.

“It could be an event from a post-vehicle pursuit or a stop where we know the person does have weapons,” Morgan said.

Instead of putting deputies in danger by automatically approaching a vehicle, Morgan said learning new training techniques on how to use a vehicle as a shield is more to the deputy’s advantage.

“Through the years you would see officers get out and they would take cover behind their doors of their car. This new technique has the officers taking positions behind their vehicle. They use the build of the vehicle for protection against gunfire,” Morgan explained.

Deputies will also learn close quarter combat in case they have to use their service weapon in confined spaces that include inside or outside of a vehicle.

“Logistically, communication when everybody is on the same page is a lot better. Whether this overall, if it’s safer for our deputies, it’s safer for the community,” Morgan said.

Morgan said training will continue over the next couple of weeks until everyone is proficient and certified.

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