Florida Highway Patrol Troopers Told To Write At Least 2 Citations Per Hour

[Spectre]

... but it's somehow 'not a quota.'

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) ? Florida Highway Patrol troopers have been told by a top official that they have to write more speeding tickets.

FHP Major Mark Welch told troopers under his command in an email that ?the patrol wants to see two citations each hour? during their shift. He added that the directive was not a quota.

?The FHP?s top priority is saving lives on Florida?s roadways. To achieve this, FHP conducts education and enforcement efforts aimed at curbing dangerous driving behavior. The FHP absolutely does not establish quotas for its members, however, an interaction with an FHP Trooper, whether it is through a warning or citation, can undoubtedly save countless lives each year,? said FHP Lt. Colonel Michael Thomas in a statement.

Welch urged his troopers to take part in the Statewide Overtime Action Response (SOAR) initiative, where they can make extra money by working the road.

He also noted the 5 percent pay raise the Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott recently gave troopers, noting that it ?has also increased your overtime rate.?

State figures show troopers wrote 934,965 citations in 2014 compared to 749,241 last year.

This kind of violation of common sense and denial of reality (a 'non-quota' quota) is one of many reasons why people 1) speed and 2) have reduced respect for law enforcement.

 

[ScarFace88]

And they still only pay their Troopers 25k a year, regardless of how long they've been on the job.

 

[Spectre]

And they still only pay their Troopers 25k a year, regardless of how long you've been on the job.

Explains a lot of police corruption there...

 

[Nabster]

Meanwhile in Wyoming:

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) ? Some people getting stopped for traffic violations in Wyoming's capital city are receiving "throwback" warnings instead of real tickets this week.

The unofficial traffic warnings being issued by the Cheyenne Police Department include informing violators they might face penalties such as "leaving town by sunrise" or "donating two bits to charity."

The "throwback" traffic warnings are being issued through Sunday as part of the city's 150th anniversary celebration this year.

One motorist caught Wednesday running a stop sign, which can result in a $100 fine, instead received a warning for driving a "carriage in an inconsiderate manner."

While the slips of paper are not a ticket, department spokesman Officer Kevin Malatesta tells the Wyoming Tribune Eagle that it's hoped the warnings also will encourage people to drive safely.