If possible, during a felony stop, where should a police vehicle be offset in relation to the suspect vehicle?

During a felony stop, the police vehicle should be offset to the left of the suspect vehicle. This positioning provides several tactical advantages. Firstly, it protects the officer from being directly in line with the suspect's vehicle, reducing the risk of being caught in direct crossfire in the event that escalation occurs. Secondly, this offset positioning allows the officer to have a better vantage point to observe the suspect’s actions and assess the situation from a safer distance, while also positioning the officer at a sharper angle for cover.

Additionally, being offset to the left allows for greater visibility of the suspect's hands and any potential threats within the vehicle. It also keeps the officer's legs safer from the suspect's vehicle, as the engine block serves as a barrier if a quick escape is necessary or if immediate action must be taken. This strategy is consistent with proper tactics used in law enforcement to minimize risk to officers during potentially dangerous encounters.