61 - Traffic Safety - 2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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61 – Traffic Safety Policy & Procedure Page 6 of 19 allowed by the courts. These tolerances would include speeds in excess of the legal limit, but less than a speed for which a citation would result. If used properly, warnings can effectively be used as a means of educating the public because they involve less emotional stress, and are also considered to be an effective public relations tool. The excessive use of warnings should be avoided because they can create a sense of or lack of commitment by the Department to enforce motor vehicle safety within the community. [61.1.2(c)] iii. CITATIONS: Citations (Civil Motor Vehicle Infractions and Criminal Complaint Applications) should make up a majority of the Department’s traffic enforcement effort. An officer's discretion plays a big part in the decision to take punitive action against a violator. However, this discretion should be based on a combination of experience, training, common sense and information available to the officer like the nature and location of the violation and the driving history of the operator. Traffic citations are issued to all violators who jeopardize the safe and efficient flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, including hazardous moving violations, multiple violations (multiple violations consist of infractions listed on the same citation), and operating unsafe and/or improperly equipped vehicles. [61.1.2(b)] iv. ARREST: Officers may affect the physical arrest of any person in violation of those traffic laws authorizing an arrest. Whenever an arrest results from a motor vehicle violation, a citation must be completed and the "Arrest" box on the citation shall be checked. If multiple citations are issued to an operator for the same incident involving an arrest, they should all be marked “Arrest”. See Policies 41A – Arrest and 71A - Transporting Detainees. [61.1.2(a)] v. Vehicles shall be inventoried, towed, and secured in the designated tow company lot when circumstances warrant towing. See departmental policy 61C - Towing Motor Vehicles and Inventory Procedures. 6. Recording Citation – Racial Profiling Forms a. On the back of each citation, officers will record a short summary of the conditions and reasons for issuing a citation (this includes civil infractions and warnings). This summary will be used, if necessary, by the Police Prosecutor to present the Department’s case in the event the citation is appealed. b. Effective April 2010, the Lexington Police Department suspended use of the Racial Profiling Form provided a motor vehicle citation is issued. The information from a citation, through computer automation, will tabulate a profiling data base. The written record on the back of the citation (including warnings) provides important situational information. c. Racial Profiling Forms will be completed and submitted to the Commanding Officer on-duty if an officer makes a motor vehicle stop or threshold inquiry, and does not issue a citation.