Policy Text
Page 1 of 8
ZEPHYRHILLS POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Standard Operating Procedure: 11.01
Subject: Traffic Enforcement
Effective Date: July 10 , 202 3
Scope: Sworn
Rescinds: 510.00
Revised: June 26 , 202 3
Reviewed: June 26 , 202 3
Pages: 8
CONTENTS: This procedure consists of the following numbered sections:
I. Directed Traffic Enforcement
II. General Enforcement Procedures
III. Specific Violations
IV. Physical Control of Motor Vehicle During Commission of Felony
V. Pedestrian and Bicycle Violations
VI. Parking Violations
VII. Citation Control
VIII. Voidance of Citations
PURPOSE: The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to establish standards of police
traffic service and develop operational procedures for selective assignment of police person nel at
times and locations where hazardous, congested, or appropriate enforcement conditions exist.
POLICY : The Zephyrhills Police Department has a vigorous traffic enforcement policy,
emphasizing firm, fair, and consistent enforcement of traffic violation s. This will be done by
using appropriate methods of enforcement:
A. Verbal/ Written warning.
B. Citation.
C. Physical arrest.
I. DIRECTED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT:
Page 2 of 8 A. The ultimate goal of directed traffic enforcement is the reduction of accidents and injuries
caused by specific violations of law.
B. Statistical and visual surveys may be conducted to detect predominant violations and
locations that contribute to the cause of crashes. Officers shall then be assigned to those
areas of the greatest potential hazard.
1. Locations of visual surveys shall be determined through both observations of officers
and citizen complaints.
2. Statistical surveys shall be conducted through the analysis of data compiled from
crash reports, radar surveys, and enforcement action taken during a speci fic time
span.
C. Data received through various surveys shall be utilized to implement directed traffic
enforcement and the use of specialized equipment.
D. The l ocations where directed traffic enforcement activities are scheduled shall be
determined by analysi s of traffic crash data. The purpose of this directed traffic
enforcement is to take action regarding specific traffic law violations that have resulted in
crashes in the past.
E. Officers who are assigned to patrol duties shall be made aware of areas within their
assigned zone that show an increase in violations and shall devote a portion of each tour
of duty to enforcement activities in those areas.
II. GENERAL ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE:
A. When engaged in patrol activities, officers shall practice high visibility traffic
enforcement as a deterrent to violations. In areas that have been identified as requiring
directed traffic enforcement, such as speed zones or intersections, officers shall utilize
stationary observation. Stationary observation may be from a concealed position or
highly visible position as the situation dictates.
B. Traffic enforcement action must be consistent with the nature of the offense and its
potential for interference with the free and safe flow of traffic. As previously stated, the
department recognizes written warnings, citations, and physical arrest s as an appropriate
enforcement action.
C. Uniform enforcement supports the ultimate aim of traffic law enforcement, which will
achieve voluntary compliance with traffic laws and regulations. Attendant circumstances
may change the seriousness of a violation; therefore, the provisions of this procedure
shall not preclude the use of good judgment in relation to the circumstanc es and
conditions at the time of the violation.
D. Issuance of Uniform Traffic Citations (UTC):
1. Upon citing a violator, officers shall provide information to the person charged,
including :
a. Court appearance schedule.
b. Whether court appearance by the motorist is mandatory.
Page 3 of 8 c. Whether the motorist may be allowed to enter a plea and/or pay the fine by mail
or at the Clerk of the Court .
d. Other information that must be provided to the motorist prior to release.
E. Certain classes of traffic law violators may require special processing. In these cases , the
following shall apply:
1. United States Senators and Congressmen:
a. Article 1, Section 6, of the United States Constitution provides members of the
United States Con gress and Senate privilege from arrest during the session of
their respective houses, and in going to and returning from the same.
b. During the period specified by the United States Constitution, members may issue
a written warning, a UTC , or a notice to app ear but will not subject a United
States congressman or senator to custodial arrest, except in cases of treason,
felony , or breaches of the peace (e.g. , assault or DUI).
2. Foreign Diplomats and Consular Officials: International law requires that special
privileges and immunities be granted to foreign diplomatic and consular
representatives. Diplomatic immunity does not exempt diplomatic officers from
conforming to national and local laws but requires that the violation be dealt with
through diplomatic chann els.
3. Foreign Nationals: Foreign nationals are citizens of another country, excluding
diplomats and consular officials, who are in the United States temporarily , either
legally or illegally. This includes tourists, students, and aliens. Specific guidelin es
are set out by the United States Department of State to deal with the detention or
arrest of foreign nationals.
a. Foreign nationals have no diplomatic immunity status and may be arrested or
detained as any United States citizen.
b. A member who arrests or d etains foreign nationals must promptly inform the
subjects of their right to have