A NSW police officer has explained the deliberate reason why officers touch a vehicle after pulling it over -and it's all about safety.
Sergeant Steven Planinic told listeners of Nova FM's Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie that officers often leave their fingerprints on a car before walking back to their patrol vehicle, and it's no accident.
The explanation came after a listener named Gemma from Parramatta asked: 'Why is it when you've pulled someone over you tap the car and leave your fingerprints as you walk off back to your police car?' she asked.
He confirmed the move is about leaving fingerprints on the pulled-over vehicle.
'I'll let you use your imagination as to why we would leave bits of ourselves on someone's car,' he said.
The sergeant went on to explain that if something goes wrong and the driver flees, 'you've left something, a marker on that car that they can't refute.'
Mr Planinic confirmed the 'deliberate' act was not just about a police officer's safety.
He also revealed the simple move is used to make 'sure the boot's secured so that no one jumps out of it'.
Sergeant Steven Planinic (pictured) told radio listeners officers deliberately leave their fingerprints on a vehicle after pulling it over
A police officer is pictured approaching a vehicle that is pulled over at a routine inspection check point
He was asked whether a driver should drive through a red light to make way for a police car approaching quickly from behind.
The officer confirmed drivers should only ever move out the way if they can do so without crossing the line.
Mr Planinic is the founder of Beat the Blue, a yearly event which gives drivers the opportunity to face off against NSW Police Force highway patrol officers.
The event returns on Saturday and takes place at the Sydney Motorsport Park.
