Setcom Says

Speeders – A “Pot of Gold” or Simply Good Law Enforcement?

Because traffic enforcement is so visible, the general public perceives that there are a large number of officers out there enforcing traffic laws. This is particularly true with respect to motor officers, as one officer seems to multiply in the minds of the general public, effectively representing a force multiplier. Many agencies have a few officers dedicated to traffic enforcement; however, the general rule in most agencies is that good traffic enforcement is one of many responsibilities officers routinely perform.

COMMON MYTH:
Law enforcement officers should be arresting criminals, not writing traffic tickets.

FACT:
Solid traffic enforcement regularly identifies criminals and results in their apprehension. Here’s a good example:
A license plate registration violation resulted in the apprehension of the suspect in the Oklahoma City federal building bombing. The hero that day was a lone Oklahoma State Trooper, Charlie Hanger – click to read.

FACT:
Drugs, weapons, contraband, fugitives, and illegal aliens are frequently found in vehicles during what most perceive to be “routine traffic stops.”

Special Note: There is no such thing as a “routine traffic stop.”

Okay, I have to admit, working traffic enforcement was always my favorite assignment. Again, good traffic enforcement opens the door to other violations and routinely identifies criminals, resulting in their timely apprehension. However, I cannot ever recall a time that I hid behind a billboard, wall, or any similar obstacle so as not to be seen. In fact, I remember many times where I stopped a vehicle and the driver/occupants would remark that they had never seen me, or asked, “Where were you (hiding)?” This would even occur when we ran our version of a “wolf pack”. Okay, so it was just two motors…but you get my drift. We always hid in the open. Still people simply could not see us…or were too busy talking on cell phones, listening to music, talking, etc. to even notice. I’d call it inattentive driving, but then you can’t write everyone for not paying attention.

In an effort to ferret out more traffic violators, several agencies have gone to extraordinary lengths to make their jobs easier, even dressing up as elves at Christmastime, leprechauns on St. Patrick’s Day, or road work crews, etc. Okay, this certainly does make the job and task at hand more interesting and dare I say “fun” for those officers involved. Why not engage in a little frivolity when the results still pay such great dividends? Long and short, good traffic enforcement doesn’t cost, it pays!

Please keep in mind that traffic enforcement does not necessarily represent “revenue enhancement” for the city or municipality. Generally speaking, proceeds derived from citations are split in many directions with the state, courts, etc. Naturally this varies jurisdiction to jurisdiction, or state to state. Moreover, considering the many costs associated with law enforcement today, good traffic enforcement is not much of a profit center. Nevertheless, I would again argue that good traffic enforcement does not cost, but rather pays — in so many ways.