The Impact of Zero Traffic Tickets: An Unlikely Scenario for a Traffic Cop

Imagine this scenario: A traffic officer on a dayshift from Monday to Friday, assigned to monitor traffic in a town and patrol areas with high crash reports and school zones. The officer's primary duty is to write citations for traffic violations. But what would happen if this officer produces no citations in a month? Would the supervisor simply let it go?

Insider's Perspective

Not directly involved, but relayed to me by another police supervisor in the 1970s, this account describes a situation where an officer faced a peculiar dilemma. For a month, the officer failed to issue a single citation, despite being in areas with high crash data. An expected reaction?

Investigative Journey

The supervisor decided to investigate. The next day, they rode along with the traffic officer to see how he operated. With radar units that produced an audible alarm for vehicles exceeding the speed limit, and freedom to smoke in squad cars, the officer's routine was anything but mundane.

Everyday Challenges

Arriving at a street with high crash data, the officer set up the radar and prepared a cup of coffee. Almost immediately, the alarm started beeping. A car went past at 25mph over the speed limit. In a humorous display, the officer tried to multitask pouring coffee, smoking, and handling the radar. The incident confirmed the supervisor's suspicions: The officer was unable to perform his duties effectively.

As a result, the officer was transferred back to regular patrol duties in the next week. This case highlights the importance of adhering to traffic laws and the potential consequences of failing to perform critical duties. In law enforcement, the production of traffic citations is crucial for monitoring and maintaining road content

The Traffic Cop's Role

A traffic officer's job involves two main components: enforcing traffic laws and investigating or documenting collisions. Writing citations is a measurable work product, and while quotas are prohibited, the expectation is that traffic officers will meet a certain standard. A drastic drop in citations, such as the officer in question, can lead to reassignment.

Exploring the Consequences

Quotas or averages for citations per officer can vary but typically, a traffic officer writing fewer than 10 citations a week would be considered inadequate. This scenario raises questions about accountability and performance in the field of traffic enforcement. The transfer of the officer back to regular patrol duties underscores the need for performance and the importance of adhering to professional standards.

Lessons and Implications

The case serves as a critical lesson in the role of traffic enforcement. It emphasizes the importance of accountability, performance, and adherence to professional standards. For traffic officers, consistency in enforcing traffic laws is paramount to maintaining road safety.

Conclusion

The scenario of a traffic officer producing no citations in a month is an unusual but telling example. It underscores the need for effective performance in traffic enforcement and the potential repercussions for failing to meet the expected standards. This case serves as a reminder for traffic officers to maintain vigilance and adhere to professional expectations.