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Irregular News for 07.12.06
Green Cove Springs, FL -- First Coast News has obtained an internal memo from a Green Cove Springs Police Lieutenant to all patrol personnel that appears to imply a quota for writing tickets.
Chief Robert Musco says the request of officers was part of an overall attempt to quantify police work to help in writing monthly reports.
"I want to assure everybody that we're not into quotas here. Basically we're into enforcing the law and insuring the public safety," said Musco.
Musco responded to questions by First Coast News about the May 11th memo, which in part reads:
"After assessing the April Statistics it was obvious I had not made the department's expectations for an Officer's monthly activity known. Thus, following is a list of my expectations for the minimum activity for each patrol officer/supervisor each month.
1) Approximately 2 UTC's for each shift worked.
2) Approximately 2 traffic warnings for each shift worked.
A U-T-C is a Uniform Traffic Citation.
But Florida State Law forbids quotas. According to the 2003 Legislative session, Title XXIII Motor Vehicles 316.640:
"An agency of the state as described in subparagraph 1. is prohibited from establishing a traffic citation quota."
Green Cove Police Chief Musco says the memo was not intended to violate any rules or laws and he's acting quickly to override it.
"It was a poor choice of words," said Musco.
"I'll issue a memo from the Chief's office stating that there is not a quota with reference to traffic, and that if it were perceived that way I'm sorry,"
Musco says his Department's number one concern by resident's feedback is traffic.
"Our entire city from one end to the other is under construction on a major highway and a lot of this traffic is being diverted onto side streets," said Musco, who added many drivers are speeding down those side streets trying to avoid delays.
"We've had to put stop signs all along the back streets to try to keep drivers from speeding through neighborhoods where children are playing."
source
Green Cove Springs, FL -- First Coast News has obtained an internal memo from a Green Cove Springs Police Lieutenant to all patrol personnel that appears to imply a quota for writing tickets.
Chief Robert Musco says the request of officers was part of an overall attempt to quantify police work to help in writing monthly reports.
"I want to assure everybody that we're not into quotas here. Basically we're into enforcing the law and insuring the public safety," said Musco.
Musco responded to questions by First Coast News about the May 11th memo, which in part reads:
"After assessing the April Statistics it was obvious I had not made the department's expectations for an Officer's monthly activity known. Thus, following is a list of my expectations for the minimum activity for each patrol officer/supervisor each month.
1) Approximately 2 UTC's for each shift worked.
2) Approximately 2 traffic warnings for each shift worked.
A U-T-C is a Uniform Traffic Citation.
But Florida State Law forbids quotas. According to the 2003 Legislative session, Title XXIII Motor Vehicles 316.640:
"An agency of the state as described in subparagraph 1. is prohibited from establishing a traffic citation quota."
Green Cove Police Chief Musco says the memo was not intended to violate any rules or laws and he's acting quickly to override it.
"It was a poor choice of words," said Musco.
"I'll issue a memo from the Chief's office stating that there is not a quota with reference to traffic, and that if it were perceived that way I'm sorry,"
Musco says his Department's number one concern by resident's feedback is traffic.
"Our entire city from one end to the other is under construction on a major highway and a lot of this traffic is being diverted onto side streets," said Musco, who added many drivers are speeding down those side streets trying to avoid delays.
"We've had to put stop signs all along the back streets to try to keep drivers from speeding through neighborhoods where children are playing."
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