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Political Courtesy
Rondo Neighborhood, Traffic Stop
Antonne James, rookie cop, is on patrol with another officer. Antonee is still in his
probationary period, but already has several months of experience under his belt. Its
1300 hours in a residential area, in which they observe a car doing 60 in a posted
30mph zone, and pull it over.
Observations
•
Antonne walks up to the driver, and as he approaches, he recognizes her. It’s
City Council Member Peggy Hertz. Her picture was just on the front page of the
Riverbend City Herald this morning, in a story about contract negotiations
between the city and the police labor union. There was even some talk at the
precinct this morning about how Peggy doesn’t exactly have a reputation for
putting police interests first in the city’s contract negotiations with the department.
Antonne asks for driver’s license information and registration.
•
Peggy hands Antonne her license, looks him square in the face, and demands,
“Do you know who I am?”
•
•
Antonne Relfects
Think fast! There is some discretion in processing tickets, and if there was any
time to use discretion, it’s now! But… what would my supervisor say? I want to
be a stellar performer during my training period and she might look poorly on me
if I don’t issue a ticket. On the other hand, what if the opposite is true? I issue a
ticket and word gets out that it’s my fault Peggy goes harder on contract
negotiations! I’ll never hear the end of it.
Which choice would be best for Antonne in his job as a police officer?
•
Choice 1: Antonne takes Peggy’s license and registration and says “No, ma’am.
I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.” Antonne processes her ticket, and though
Peggy gives him an earful when he hands it to her, Antonne refers her to his
supervisor to express her concerns.
Feedback: Antonne decided to play by the book, although he had the discretion not to
write the ticket. Antonne’s thought process was public safety first, regardless of Peggy’s
position. And Peggy’s speed was clearly not safe in a residential neighborhood.
•
Choice 2:
Antonne looks at her license and says “Peggy Hertz. You were probably unaware
that this street is 30mph. I’ll let you off with a warning this time, but please be
more careful on this street. Lots of pedestrians and bikers.”
Feedback:
Antonne quickly observed that it might be best for the department if he didn’t write the
ticket. If he let her off using the same discretion he would use for anyone else, then it
would not be unethical, but an action based on personal gain is clearly unethical.
•
Choice 3:
Antonne writes the ticket based on public safety, and when he returns to the
squad car, he immediately gets his supervisor on the radio, to apprise her of the
situation. He doesn’t want his supervisor to be surprised by any publicity or any
other fallout from Peggy Hertz’s office.
Feedback: Antonne assessed the situation and issued the ticket, but he also realized
there may be complications from his decision, and took the appropriate steps.