NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

F. The operator of a vehicle found to be in violation of equipment requirements may be
issued a Uniform Traffic Citation or a warning at the discretion of the officer.
Officer should take into account the severity of the equipment violation including
whether the vehicle can continue to be operated in a safe manner.
G. While subject to additional traffic requirements, it is the policy of the Police Department
to maintain uniform enforcement procedures of commercial carriers who travel upon
New Albany streets or highways.
H. The Police Department shall allow officers to use discretion whether to cite or use verbal
warnings on non-hazardous violations. Non-hazardous violations are defined as
violations of laws or ordinances not enacted primarily to regulate safe movement of
vehicles and pedestrians such as registration violations or use of occupant safety
devices.
I. The decision to warn or cite a violator concerning multiple moving traffic violations
relies on the officer’s judgment based on the conditions or circumstances at the time of
the violation. It is the exception, rather than the rule, for an officer to refrain from
issuing a citation for a second violation when it is of a serious nature.
J. Officers will issue warnings when appropriate for a period of thirty days after a new
traffic law becomes effective in lieu of any special orders to the contrary.
K. Officers will take enforcement action when a traffic crash investigation reveals probable
cause to believe that a traffic law or ordinance has been violated. When multiple parties
contribute to a traffic collision, more than one driver may be cited or arrested as a result
of the traffic crash investigation.
L. Officers will take appropriate enforcement actions when and where pedestrian and
bicycle violations are observed. Pedestrian and/or bicycle law enforcement shall
generally reflect the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law. This does not
preclude officers from taking selective enforcement action upon citizen complaints or
identified problem areas.
2.1.5 Enforcement Practices
A. Because one of the most effective deterrents to traffic law violations is visible patrol in a
marked police vehicle, the Police Department conducts strict traffic enforcement
countermeasures. Officers will operate police vehicles in accordance with existing laws
and in a manner as to demonstrate proper, courteous driving behavior.
B. Officers conducting stationary traffic enforcement countermeasures shall park in a
location so as to observe but not impede the flow of traffic. When conducting such
counter measures at night, officers shall turn on the vehicle headlights and/or parking
lights.
C. When stopping a traffic violator, an officer shall be in a marked police vehicle and in
uniform. This section does not prevent a uniformed officer from initiating a traffic stop
of a violator while outside of his/her marked police cruiser or a plain-clothes officer
from using unmarked vehicles to stop criminal suspects in an emergency.
2.1.6 Stopping/Approaching
A. When an officer initiates a traffic stop, he/she should utilize the following guidelines:
Carefully select the stop location so as to avoid curves, crests of hills, and
intersections
6