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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Traffic Function and Responsibility - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Traffic Function and Responsibility 500.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The ultimate goal of traffic law enforcement is to reduce traffic collisions. This may be achieved through the application of such techniques as geographic/temporal assignment of personnel and equipment and the establishment of preventive patrols to deal with specific categories of unlawf ul driving behavior. Traffic enforcement techniques are based on accident data, enforcement activity records, traffic volume, and traffic conditions. This Department provides enforcement efforts toward violations, not only in proportion to the frequency of their occurrence in accident situations, but also in terms of traffic -related needs. 500.2 TRAFFIC OFFICER DEPLOYMENT Several factors are considered in the development of deployment schedules for officers of the Santa Monica Police Department. Information prov ided by the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System (SWITRS) is a valuable resource for traffic accident occurrences and therefore officer deployment. Some of the factors for analysis include: • Location • Time • Day • Violation factors All office rs assigned to patrol or traffic enforcement functions will emphasize enforcement of accident causing violations during high accident hours and at locations of occurrence. All officers will take directed enforcement action on request, and random enforceme nt action when appropriate against violators as a matter of routine. All officers shall maintain high visibility while working general enforcement, especially at high accident locations. Other factors to be considered for deployment are requests from the p ublic, construction zones or special events. 500.3 ENFORCEMENT Enforcement actions are commensurate with applicable laws and take into account the degree and severity of the violation committed. This Department does not establish ticket quotas and the number of arrests or citations issued by any officer shall not be used as the sole criterion for evaluating officer overall performance (Vehicle Code § 41603). The visibility and quality of a sworn officer’s work effort will be commensurate with the philosophy of this policy. Several methods are effective in the reduction of collisions: Policy 500 Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Traffic Function and Responsibility - 2 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Traffic Function and Responsibility 500.3.1 WARNINGS Warnings or other non -punitive enforcement actions should be considered in each situation and substituted for arrests or citations when circumstances warrant, especially in the case of inadvertent violations. 500.3.2 CITATIONS Citations may be issued when a sworn officer believes it is appropriate. It is essential that officers fully explain the rights and requirements imposed on motorists upon issuance of a citation for a traffic violation. Officers should provide the following information at a minimum: (a) Explanation of the violation or charge (b) Court appearance procedure including the optional or mandatory appearance by the motorist (c) Notice of whether the motorist can enter a plea and pay the fine by mail or at the court 500.3.3 PHYSICAL ARREST Physical arrest can be made on a number of criminal traffic offenses outlined in the Vehicle Code or Penal Code. These physical arrest cases usually deal with, but are not limited to: (a) Vehicular manslaughter (b) Felony and misdemeanor driving under the i nfluence of alcohol/drugs (c) Felony or misdemeanor hit -and-run (d) Refusal to sign notice to appear (e) Any other misdemeanor at the discretion of the officer, such as reckless driving with extenuating circumstances 500.4 SUSPENDED OR REVOKED DRIVERS LICENSES If a sworn officer contacts a traffic violator for driving on a suspended or revoked license, the officer may issue a traffic citation pursuant to Vehicle Code § 14601. If a computer check of a traffic violator's license status reveals a suspended or revoked driver license and the traffic violator still has his or her license in possession, the license shall be seized by the officer. The officer shall verbally advise the traffic violator of the suspension or revocation and issue the citation. The officer will be responsible for filling out the Verbal Notice form (DMV form DL -310) and causing that form and license to be forwarded to the Department of Motor Vehicles. 500.5 HIGH -VISIBILITY VESTS The Department has provided American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Class II high-visibility vests to increase the visibility of Department members who may be exposed to hazards presented by passing traffic, maneuvering or operating vehicles, machinery and equipment (23 CFR 655.601; 8 CCR 1598). Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Traffic Function and Responsibility - 3 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Traffic Function and Responsibility Although intended primarily for use while performing traffic related assignments, high -visibility vests