MARYLAND - TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES, PART 3 CONTACTING AND EVALUATING VIOLATORS

• NCJ Number: 52070
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 18 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Admin; Maryland Dept of Transportation
• Corporate Author: Maryland Police Training Cmssn
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

PART 3 OF A 4-PART SERIES, THIS SELF-INSTRUCTION UNIT IDENTIFIES ATTITUDES AFFECTING OFFICER-VIOLATOR INTERACTION, GUIDES THE OFFICER IN CONTROLLING THIS INTERACTION, AND GIVES PROCEDURES FOR POLICE CONTACT.

Abstract

IT IS NOTED THAT THE SUCCESS OF TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT IN SHAPING THE BEHAVIOR OF TRAFFIC OFFENDERS IS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED BY THE OFFICER'S BEHAVIOR IN THE ROADSIDE CONTACT WITH THE VIOLATOR. CONTACT THAT IS BUSINESSLIKE AND TACTFUL, FIRM YET COURTEOUS, IS BELIEVED TO ENHANCE THE CHANCES THAT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTACT WILL BE A POSITIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR THE VIOLATOR. SOME BASIC HUMAN EMOTIONAL NEEDS ARE IDENTIFIED, AND COMMON PERSPECTIVES AMONG DRIVERS THAT CAN STIMULATE A ANTAGONISTIC FEELINGS TOWARD THE CONTACTING POLICE OFFICER ARE LISTED. POLICE OFFICER ATTITUDES THAT MAY UNDERMINE POSITIVE EXCHANGE WITH THE VIOLATOR ARE ALSO CONSIDERED. IT IS ADVISED THAT POLICE OFFICERS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN EMOTIONS AND ACTIONS. SUGGESTIONS ARE GIVEN AS TO HOW THE OFFICER CAN MAKE THE CONTACT STABLE AND CONSTRUCTIVE. IN CONSIDERING PROCEDURES FOR CONTACT WITH THE VIOLATOR, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE OFFICER GIVE ATTENTION TO PHYSICAL SIGNS OF POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS (CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, DRUG ABUSE, VEHICLE DAMAGE, ETC.) AND THE VIOLATOR'S BEHAVIOR AND APPEARANCE. AT THE END OF EACH MAJOR SECTION A TEST IS GIVEN, WITH ANSWER KEY PROVIDED. OTHER DOCUMENTS IN THE SERIES ARE PART 1-2, NCJ-52068-52069, AND PART 4, NCJ-52071. (RCB)