NCJ Number
178310
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 47 Issue: 7 Dated: July 1999 Pages: 73-77
Date Published
July 1999
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article argues in favor of a national traffic stop policy.
Abstract
A national traffic stop procedure and uniform standards for issuing traffic tickets would cut down, perhaps even eliminate, the vast majority of manipulative excuses that drivers offer to cajole an officer out of issuing a ticket. Law enforcement officials also need to examine citizen complaints about the manner in which they were treated during traffic stops. The article describes an intensive 16-hour training program which teaches officers how to conduct proceedings in a professional and courteous manner, listening to a motorist's excuse and showing concern. The officers practice scripted routines and learn listening theory and skills, assertiveness and customer service skills. The officer who offers advice, provides options or empathizes with a motorist softens the impact of receiving a ticket and defuses a potentially volatile situation.