COLUMBUS, Ohio — It’s a fear many police officers have: initiating a traffic stop and knowing what might happen next.

Sgt. James Fuqua with the Columbus Division of Police said no traffic stop is routine. Officers never know what they’re walking into when they approach a car, and they always have to be ready and rely on their training.

“You almost have to go on to every traffic stop assuming there is a firearm in that car," Fuqua said. "Not necessarily saying that someone is always going to try to harm you with that firearm, but you should definitely be of the mindset that every car and every traffic stop you approach, that there is a potential for a firearm or some type of weapon inside of that car.”

He said a traffic stop is actually one of the most dangerous situations law enforcement officers face on a day-to-day basis in terms of interacting with the public.

He said all officers receive the same basic training on how to handle them. However, specific protocols often vary from one department to another.