Editor’s Note: We refer to traffic ticket quotas as “the worst kept secret in law enforcement.” And with good reason. In the last six months alone, we’ve seen a dozen or so news stories referencing quotas or describing the fallout when ticket quotas are exposed. Here’s a particularly notable storyfrom New York City in which it is alleged that police and prosecutors conspired to hide evidence of bogus ticket writing to meet quotas. We’re not surprised. Ticket quotas have been standard operating procedure in police departments around the country for a long time, as we describe in this blog post from 2007.
If You Didn’t Believe Ticket Quotas Existed Before, You Will Now
A ticket quota is a policy that encourages or requires officers to give out a certain number of traffic tickets regardless of how many people are actually violating the law.
Here’s a quick roundup of stories from this year where ticket quotas were discovered around the country.
November
Washington State Police Use Ticket Quotas Officials with the Washington State Patrol set numeric goals that encourage state police officers to issue as many traffic citations as possible. The effect has been a significant increase in the number of tickets written — 50,000 additional tickets were issued between 2005 and 2006. A Bellvue state patrol sergeant issued a memo ordering troopers to meet the accountability goals, writing: “No matter how many cars you stop, the goal… is 80 percent enforcement (tickets).” Those failing to meet the goal may lose vacation time or receive other sanctions.
More
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worked for three local departments. SPD did not have quotas, they had performance review. One supervisor, retired now required 1 traffic, 1 parking, and 1 ERO every day. The other two had no such requirements. It was not a fire offense but poor review offense.
ReplyDelete3 poor reviews is a fireable offense in the county's.
DeleteSpd's was 8 citations and ten warnings a month.
DeleteCops will be silent on this one.
ReplyDeleteSo, the police KNEW they had quotas, but also knowing that law enforcement (revenue collection) should not be based on "hitting a number" and also knowing how "we, the people" felt about being the target of such "production goals", well, they just LIED.
ReplyDeleteIntegrity being the hallmark of police.
"There is no such thing as quota's". Pretty much a quote.
Okay. I take that "integrity" thing back.......
Have blame the governors!
DeleteTell ALL your buddies they're full of Bul%^&^&T! I was a cop on three different forces and quotas DOOOO exist. The rule of thumb is, 'A stop and a half' an hour of road patrol time. ANYONE who tells you different is a bare faced liar. If you DON'T meet this criteria you'll find yourself in counseling from your immediate supervisor or in the dispatch fielding calls from all the weekend drunks and nuts of all fashions.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you don't realize it, but, the total number of road patrol cops in the St. of Md. write $1.875 million in traffic offenses of which there is an 80% pay before court rate EACH MONTH. That's why when there is a cop slowdown, fast moves are made behind the scenes to arbitrate their collective bitches and get them back into the COLLECT MODE. This is what your elected officials like Jim Mathias doesn't want the general public to know. The sad part of the equation
is, the local governments DO NOT share in the bounty as the fine money ALL goes to Annapolis and the highway paid for patrolling in local jurisdictions is borne on the backs of the LOCAL taxpayers. This means all the time, upkeep, fuel and liability yields NO benefit
to the Cities, Counties, or incorporated subdivisions such as Ocean Pines other than Police Presence. What a sham in the name of Law Enforcement.
Since I'm still in Civil Service, I can't reveal my name but wish I could.
There are no quotes in MD.
ReplyDeleteAll revenues go to the State in Annapolis.
ReplyDeleteThank God.
Can you IMAGINE the "campaigns" the police would be on if LOCAL politicians had a chance to get a slice of THAT pie?
Fines would go up and you'd be lucky if you didn't get a ticket EVERY DAY.
Has anyone seen a politician who saw a dollar and didn't try to take it???
I see that 1:45 still hasn't received the memo....
Maybe not break traffic law everyday? Oh silly me that personal responsibility no one wants to deal with. What do suggest is the punishment for break traffic laws if a fine is not acceptable? Bet I won't get a response to that question.......
ReplyDelete6:14
ReplyDeleteAre you talking about the police that break traffic laws or just the general public?