WHP to cease traffic stop quotas
by Wyoming Highway Patrol media release
December 25, 2014
Methods for gauging the performance of Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers will change in 2015, Patrol Administrator Col. John Butler announced today (Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014).
The recent mandate requiring a specified number of traffic stops made and citations issued by any individual trooper will no longer be used as a performance measurement during job evaluations. The standards were included by the Patrol as a component of the State of Wyoming's performance appraisal system.
"We understand that our policy of setting forth the expected numbers of traffic stops and citations during a certain period of time is perceived by some as constituting a quota system," Col. Butler said. "Although we in the Patrol have never considered it as such, we acknowledge that the perception exists and that's why we are taking steps to address the issue."
"Regardless of how our management tailors the job evaluation process, the Wyoming Highway Patrol's overriding goal will continue to be the vigorous enforcement of traffic laws which directly impact highway safety." he added. "We are committed to curbing hazardous driving behaviors whenever it is encountered, with emphasis on impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving and failure to wear seat belts."
"It has always been our directive to troopers when they witness a violation of any traffic law, they should initiate a stop. Troopers do have discretion whether that stop will result in a citation or a warning," Butler said. "But when a seat-belt violation is discovered during a stop, it is our expectation that a citation will be written for that particular offense."
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