Do police REALLY get commissions for writing tickets, or is that just a myth?

Question

Either way, I'm glad I haven't contributed ticket-wise in yeeeears. So, do they?

Answer 1

If I did get commissions I most certainly would write more of them!
This is a myth (at least in Canada).

Set quotas are also a myth, however....
If all of my fellow officers write, let's say, 20 tickets each month and I only write 2, I will be called to task by my supervisor. I will be expected to justify the reason for this. If I can't I can be accused of neglect of duty.
We are expected to enforce all the laws including the highway traffic act.

Answer 2

Police officers do not get paid commissions for writing tickets. They are not supposed to have a quota system either, but the sad fact is that some supervisors in some police departments look at the total number of tickets written as a measure of effectiveness of the officer.

You will notice that the first and last week of the month you will see more speed traps, and other police enforcement of traffic laws. Some officers start the month trying to get a good jump on the ticket count, and after they have written enough that they are not going to have problems for writing too few tickets, slack off for the rest of the month! Others look at their ticket totals near the end of the month, and have to write more to bring their totals up to the "average".

No officer will admit to the general public that they have a quota. It is not a policy that is written, because of the public outcry that would result. It is more of an informal thing, where an officer who does not write enough tickets will be "counseled" by his supervisor!

Answer 3

I don't think so.

In my town, the police have a monthly ticket quota. This is needed as a part of their overall budget. The money from the tickets goes into their operating funds, but they don't get commissions.

The police actually are NOT happy with ticket quotas, but that was a budgetary decision by the town council.

Answer 4

People here that say no have there eyes close while the police do not directly get commission they are encourage to write tickets as a revenue raising tool.

Why else would you post a 55mph speed limit on a 7 lane highway here in Atlanta when almost everyone is traveling at 80mph this is to insure the police can write tickets whenever he is ready or the quota needs to be filled.

Answer 5

I dont think so, and I hope not, that would be corrupted law enforcement completely. But I do believe that they must get a certain quota each month. To prove they are doing their jobs.

Answer 6

myth...but based in fact...some elected officials a long time ago,constables and such,made a fee off every ticket they wrote...this,along with quotas will not hold up in courts now since all a defense atty has to ask in front of a judge is "did you write this ticket to my client because you had to fill your days quota?"..or 'because you needed money?"....this stuff just wont carry nowadays....good question though

Answer 7

Police like any other job have preformace standards. If you work in an office you are expected to complete certain standards to maintain your job.Police have standards too, writing ticket is just one of the area performance is based on. There is no quotes of commissions

Answer 8

Myth just like the quota is a myth.
They do however keep track of tickets you write and make it uncomfortable for the cop who writes the lest amount.

Answer 9

They do not get commissions nor are there any quotas, both are myths. They are ticketing people who break the law, even those who seem to think the law does not apply to them.

Answer 10

Myth. It is against Federal Law to establish a quota system.