NCJ Number
14419
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 22 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1974) Pages: 36,38,40,42
Date Published
1974
Length
4 pages
Annotation
APPROACH USED BY A POLICE DEPARTMENT TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF INJURIES SUFFERED IN TRAFFICE ACCIDENTS, WHICH ARE PRIMARILY CAUSED BY THE SPEEDING VIOLATOR.
Abstract
TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR OBJECTIVE, THE SPRINGFIELD, NEW JERSEY POLICE DEPARTMENT USED A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH. IN ORDER TO EXERT THE MAXIMUM ENFORCEMENT EFFORT, A PROJECT PLANNING DECISION WAS MADE TO KEEP THE ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITY WITHIN THE PATROL DIVISION. A SECOND APPROACH INVOLVED THE PROCUREMENT OF NEW SCIENTIFIC SPEED DETECTION EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS THE 'SPEEDGUN' (A PORTABLE HANDHELD RADAR UNIT). ALL DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL WERE ISSUED RADAR TRAINING MANUALS, IMPRESSION TO THE POTENTIAL VIOLATOR OF POLICE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT OMNIPRESENCE. A PROGRAM WAS THEN SET UP WITH THE LOCAL COURTS, WHEREBY UPON DEMONSTRATION OF THE RELIABILITY OF THE 'SPEEDGUN', IT WAS NO LONGER NECESSARY TO CALL EXPERT WITNESSES TO ESTABLISH RELIABILITY. OTHER PHASES OF THE APPROACH INVOLVED GAINING PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROGRAM AND PROGRAM EVALUATION TO DETERMINE LAW ENFORCEMENT RESULTS.