Assessing the use of a Traffic Enforcement Unit

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the 22-month life of a three-officer specialized Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) within one mid-sized municipal police agency. The case study allowed for the examination of the impact of this structural change from a generalist to a specialist approach on the rate of traffic citations. Additionally, officer attitudes related to the change were considered. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a mixed method approach, which included both an objective output (traffic citations) and the results of a management survey to consider officers’ attitudes. Findings – Despite the fact that most officers reported the introduction of the TEU did not change their commitment to traffic enforcement, the findings indicate citations by non-TEU officers declined sharply over time. Likewise, citations by the three specialized officers also dropped, which, when combined with non-TEU officers, resulted in no real differences between the generalist and specialist approach on the number of citations issued. Research limitations/implications – Beyond the natural limitations of a single case study, the use of a management-issued survey concerning attitudes was not ideal. Practical implications – The study provides some evidence that generalists approaches – at least as they apply to traffic enforcement – may be just as productive as specialist approaches. Originality/value – While there has been a significant amount of rhetoric over the years, it seems scholars have largely ignored real differences between the generalist and specialist approaches on objective organizational outputs. This is an area that needs to be subjected to additional research.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

“…A small body of academic research has investigated SUs in policing. Much of the research has focused on the department level, investigating the organizational rationale for implementing a particular unit or assessing their activity levels relative to patrol units (Clark, Jackson, Schaefer, & Sharpe, 2000; Hepworth & White, 2016; Katz, 2001; Katz, Maguire, & Roncek, 2002; Lemmer, Bensinger, & Lurigio, 2008; Liederbach, Fritsch, & Womack, 2011; Menton, 2008; Williams & Westall, 2003; Willits & Nowacki, 2016). This body of research has tended to focus on gang units and SWAT teams, though a few examined other units such as traffic, bicycle, drug/vice, K9, and cybercrime.…”

“…Hepworth and White (2016) examined traffic citations issued following the creation of a three-person traffic enforcement unit (TEU). They found a department-wide decrease in the number of citations issued over a 22-month study period and that citations issued by both patrol officers and TEU officers had declined at similar rates (Hepworth & White, 2016).…”

“…Hepworth and White (2016) examined traffic citations issued following the creation of a three-person traffic enforcement unit (TEU). They found a department-wide decrease in the number of citations issued over a 22-month study period and that citations issued by both patrol officers and TEU officers had declined at similar rates (Hepworth & White, 2016). Williams and Westall (2003) assessed differences in the use of force between SWAT and non-SWAT officers, hypothesizing that SWAT officers may be more inclined to use force because of the high-intensity nature of their calls.…”