Many police officers have been subjected to disgusting attitude and behavior from the people they try to apprehend. How come people can be disrespectful of police officers? Don’t they know that these people put their lives at risk for the safety of their communities? Don’t they know how much of a public servant these police officers are? The only way for police officers to make sure that these traffic violators face the consequences of their actions is to follow rules and protocols. If these protocols are not followed, traffic violators can get away with them.
Police officers usually have a Stalker radar gun to prove that drivers are speeding. The accuracy of radar guns helps prove their case in courts. Many police officers are particular about convicting drivers with a history of speeding because they are the same people who could cause major fatal accidents in the future. Police officers want these speeding drivers to face the consequences of their actions in the hope that they will be more responsible on the road.
Flagging Down the Vehicle
Flag down the vehicle as soon as the violation happens. This will keep the excuses down to a minimum. When drivers feel that they have gotten away with a traffic violation, they will be adamant when they are flagged down a minute later. Lead the vehicle where it will not obstruct the flow of traffic. As much as possible, don’t lead them in a dark area of the road. Make sure that people can still see you apprehending the car.
Talking with the Driver
Be courteous when talking with the driver. Ask to see the driver’s license and vehicle registration papers. While checking these documents, inform the driver of the violation committed. Make sure that you explain it thoroughly because this could be used against you in court. Present evidence that proves that the violation has been committed. If you have a radar gun, show the results to the driver.
Verifying Records
Once you have the pertinent documents from the driver, you should check these with the central database. Make sure that all information is correct. If there are discrepancies in the information, verify these with someone from the headquarters. You may also ask the driver to provide more documents if possible.
Issuing the Ticket
Police officers have the authority to decide to issue a warning or a speeding ticket. If you believe this is a one-time violation from the driver based on the records, you can issue a warning and let the driver walk away without a ticket. But if the driver has previous records, issue that speeding ticket and explain what steps the driver must take next. Make sure to explain the process clearly and that the driver understands what you’re saying.
Some drivers decide to bring the matter to court. Police officers are trained to appear and answer questions in court. That’s why it’s essential for you to remember the names of the people you apprehend, as well as what happened when you apprehended them. After the encounter, write down everything you can remember. These will be valuable in court.
Be courteous and respectful of drivers. Acknowledge their rights. Don’t try to use your authority over them unless absolutely necessary. Finally, you have rights, too. Make sure to be kind to yourself and not let violators walk over you.