Can a Police Officer Write Down Two Officers#39; Names on a Traffic Violation Ticket?

In certain jurisdictions, police agencies deploy a variety of traffic enforcement strategies. One common method involves using aerial speed enforcement or setting up 'speed traps.' These techniques help traffic officers effectively monitor and address traffic violations. Let's explore how these methods work and address the specific situation you're asking about.

Aerial Speed Enforcement and Speed Traps

Aerial speed enforcement involves one officer stationed at a particular spot, observing traffic violations. This officer communicates the details to another officer stationed at a location that is ideal for stopping the violators. The second officer then carries out the stop and issues the citation. Both officers are required to testify in court, one for the violation itself, and the other for the identity of the driver.

However, it's important to note that the first officer does not need to be present when the citation is issued. Typically, in my jurisdiction, only the officer who actually issued the citation, along with the driver's personal information, appears on the ticket. This ensures that the ticket reflects the appropriate authority who performed the action.

Supervisory Approval and Department Regulations

For my department, supervisory approval is required before a citation can be sent to traffic court for processing. This is similar to the department regulations that mandate supervisor signatures on arrest reports. The only exception I can recall is when two officers run a 'tag team' radar monitor for speeding. In such cases, if another officer is using radar to identify a speeding vehicle and communicates it to me, I pull the vehicle over and issue the citation. I must include the radar officer's name and badge number on the back of the citation in the report section. Once the citation is processed, the traffic court will be aware, and if the citation is contested, both the radar officer and myself will be summoned to appear and provide testimony.

How Officers Identify Those Involved

The process I described ensures that each officer involved in the traffic violation is identifiable. As the officer collects IDs, they can confirm who is involved in the incident. This method helps in ensuring the accuracy and accountability of the violations recorded. For instance, if a passenger was not wearing a seatbelt, they could receive a ticket, but their name would not appear on your ticket. The ticket would solely reflect the violation committed by the driver.

Regarding your specific question: an officer cannot write someone's name on a ticket who was not present, as it would be a violation of proper procedure and ethical standards. The officer would need to gather necessary identification to ensure they are issuing the citation to the correct individual.

Conclusion

While police agencies have various strategies to enforce traffic laws, the process of issuing a traffic violation ticket is designed to be thorough and accountable. Officers must ensure that the correct individuals are identified and that the necessary documentation is in place to support their actions in court.