BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A North Dakota Highway Patrol captain recently emailed troopers a list of “2015 goal numbers” that set targets for the number of various citations, raising questions about whether the agency is setting unfair and arbitrary quotas.
Capt. Bryan Niewind’s list sets goals for troopers in Fargo of 14 arrests for driving under the influence, 72 right-of-way violation warnings or citations, 60 seatbelt violation warnings or citations, 240 speeding warnings or citations and two drug arrests, The Bismarck Tribune reported (https://bit.ly/1N5WeL8 ).
Col. Michael Gerhart, the patrol superintendent, said the numbers are goals or priorities, not quotas or requirements.
“I don’t support quotas, and there won’t be quotas in the future,” he said. “Our focus is crash prevention. Our No. 1 goal, our sole mission, is saving lives.”
The patrol is considering a proposal that would tie pay raises to performance, but command staff would consider many factors, not just the number of traffic stops, according to Lt. Thomas Iverson. Other factors would include time a trooper spends doing teaching, training and community outreach, he said.
Jeremy Rost, a 13-year veteran trooper in the Bismarck area, said he is not required to meet specified citation numbers and has never felt pressured to meet goals. He said the goals keep troopers focused on driving offenses known to contribute to fatalities, and that he stops motorists for one reason - road safety.
“Contrary to belief, we really do like to help people,” he said.
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Information from: Bismarck Tribune, https://www.bismarcktribune.com
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