With so many laws, how do cops know which ones to focus on in their enforcement duties? Why do their resources seem to be disproportionately focused on aimless patrolling and traffic citations?
2006-12-09 15:08:54 · 12 answers · asked by B Tru 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
The reason you feel that there are a disproportionate number of officers doing traffic enforcement is that those are the ones that you see. Most people are awake during the daylight hours and sleep at night. They only see officers doing traffic stops. I would guess you have no idea how many times an officer patrolled your neighbourhood at 4 am because you don't see them.
Patrolling and traffic enforcement is not aimless. It deters crime and helps keep people safe.
Your perception that the resources are not well allocated, is just that, perception.
2006-12-09 16:06:46 · answer #1 · answered by joeanonymous 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK, so you got some tickets and feel like we're picking on you and that we should be "catching the bad guys." We focus on all laws at some point or another, however, there are only so many armed robberies, rapes, kidnappings, etc., that happen in any given city on any given day. With that said, public safety is a number one priority...remember the old saying..."To Protect and Serve." Whether or not you want to believe it, working traffic is not aimless. Each time we stop a motorist, we are checking several different things on them, like...are they wanted, is the car stolen, did they just commit a crime (maybe that's why they are speeding and blowing stop signs). You get my point here? And we are protecting the public by enforcing traffic laws. The public is also you. By me stopping you for speeding, I could have just saved your life by keeping you from wrapping your car around a tree or becoming a hood ornament for a Mack truck. Good police managers place traffic units in high crime areas to suppress crime. Where's there's lots of blue lights there's bound to be less crime going on. It really works.
2006-12-09 15:25:49 · answer #2 · answered by gablueliner 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Traffic stops are probable cause to check for other types of law violations. Patrolling keeps the police in the public eye and suppresses street crime. It's called pro-active policing. A lot of criminals are caught as a result of these activities.
Usually I don't have enough time to do either. I run from call to call for service, and spend the remainder of my time booking arrestees and writing reports. That's re-active policing.
And I agree in part with the person who said they could arrest nearly every one they see for something. I try to give most people the benefit of the doubt, even when I can sense that they are BS'ing me a little.
2006-12-09 15:48:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they like to think they enforce all the laws. but they mostly do the drugs and domestic violence because those seem to happen alot. and stealing.. pretty much whatever crime in the area happens the most they will mainly keep their eyes on. or whatever call they get they will focus on. especially if the officer needs a backup unit.
Edit: i know some cops (mainly my brother-in-law) that will try to avoid traffic stops unless the person is really messing up because he doesnt like writing tickets... too much paperwork. so aslong as you are driving safe and dont REALLY mess up then you will most likely get a warning. unless your on the highway
2006-12-09 15:49:35 · answer #4 · answered by Dont get Infected 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are laws on the books that have been in place for hundreds of years. The police will act on anything criminal, and can act on anything on the books, just to arrest you if they had to. Not all cops play the general public, but don't mess with the cops and you should be ok. If there is a will, there is a way to lock your butt up.
2006-12-09 15:43:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its called police discretion, officers use their own sense of judgment to decide what may be beneficial to the area in which they serve. Very few laws actually require a citation or arrest. It all depends on what the officer thinks is the best course of action that falls within their departmental restrictions.
2006-12-09 16:16:34 · answer #6 · answered by J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Their first order... is protection of the citizen, so basically whatever is the most lethal. I think patrolling around is part of that. A drunk driver can be very lethal to a lot of people and an officer citing someone for a missing tail light that sees a drunk driver should be leaving the tail light person to stop the drunken driver.
2006-12-09 15:30:01 · answer #7 · answered by ms bella 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They enforce the ones that citizens and the government seem to care about the most or the ones they have seen affect people the most-drugs, gun, traffic violations. Those cost us alot of lives every year.
2006-12-09 18:26:35 · answer #8 · answered by RoxieC 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Excellent question. A cop told me once that they could arrest pretty much every single person they see for violating some law or other.
2006-12-09 15:13:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are high priority laws, and low priority laws. Felonies comes first, then misdemeanors.
2006-12-10 00:04:22 · answer #10 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋