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Patrol / Traffic
Patrol
Main Role of PatrolmenBeing seen is the most primary form of law enforcement. Patrol officers walk the beat, tour, and watch. Their main job is to be out looking for trouble before it happens. The sight of a patrol car or an officer tends to curb the tendencies of all but the most hardened criminals. They do this by cruising neighborhoods, answering calls, and looking for things out of place.
Patrol officers are respond to many types of emergent and non-emergent calls including:
- Assaults
- Civil complaints
- Domestic violence
- Mischief
- Other crimes of violence
- Theft
Additional Duties
Patrolmen take reports for people to follow-up on to prosecute criminals, documentation reports in the event of future problems, as well as respond to emergency and non-emergency traffic accidents. Many times the duty calls for both the police and fire departments. Our goal is for the cooperative effort of both departments to pass flawlessly. Sometimes the fire department calls for assistance such as traffic control in the area of a fire, or assistance in calls where there may be or has been a violent encounter of some type.
Traffic
Main Role of Traffic Enforcement Officers
The job of traffic enforcement officers is to patrol the roads and highways looking for infractions of traffic laws. The presence of these officers in the community help make the roadways safer by deterring drivers from controlling their vehicles in an unsafe manner. Traffic enforcement officers will often be seen at Driver's License and Vehicle Safety Checkpoints, commonly referred to as "Road Blocks". Here the officers check several things such as, but not limited to:
- Current vehicle registration
- Driver's license
- Large violations like Driving Under the Influence.
- Liability insurance
- Licensing
- Proper child restraint
- Safety or seat belt use
- Vehicle equipment (such as tires, windshield, lighting, exhaust system)
Infractions
Individuals who violate traffic laws are many times written a uniformed traffic citation, commonly known as a ticket. Drivers who have received a citation must appear in court before the City Judge. Common penalties for motor vehicle infractions include fines, mandatory driving school, or a suspended license. Most of the time this leads to them having to pay fines and court costs as well as having to attend a driving school.
Sometimes, regardless if whether from a traffic stop or a check point, officers discover more severe crimes like drug trafficking, theft, and even domestic violence. There is a remarkably large percentage where persons are discovered to have warrants for their arrest from our and other agencies.
Traffic Stops
Traffic stops and check points are anything but routine. Sometimes these end up becoming something much greater and dangerous. Sometimes people flee on foot or in vehicles. These violations usually cause the person to face much more difficulty and larger charges being brought against them.
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Police working a traffic accident.
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Drugs discovered during search warrant service.
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Home or business theft.
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Police Department
Physical Address
101 Line Avenue
Boaz, AL 35957
Phone: 256-593-6812