Can someone help clarify some "myths" I've heard over the years?

[ct1222]

Hello CGers,

Ever since I got my DL a couple years ago, I've heard some supposed "fact"/traits regarding CA cops from just about anyone:
parents, high school counselors, girlfriend's dad, college mentors...you name it.
I'm hoping some of the LEOs here can help shed some lights here.

1. The quota system: I think everyone has heard of this at some points in their lives.
A cop's performance is judged by how many "busts" or he/she makes in a period of time.
This can be number of bad guys detained, drug labs demolished, robbery stopped,
or in the case of safer cities like Irvine, the number of tickets issued. Which leads us to myth numero dos.

2. You see A LOT more cops on the streets/freeways near the end of month/year: Because of the quota system, cops that have yet
to meet the required quota per month would try to issue as much tickets as possible near the end of the month.

3. It's nearly Impossible to talk your way out of a citation UNLESS you're driving with your girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife/family.

4A. You will never beat a ticket in court if the cop shows up.

4B. You will automatically win the trial and get your ticket dismissed if the cop didn't show up at trial

4C. Don't bother fighting a traffic ticket in court as cops would ALWAYS show up at the trial because they are still being paid full time.

5 CHP officers are allowed to pull someone over/issue tickets anywhere within CA, even toll roads like 241, 261, and 73.

I think these are the most common ones I've heard so far, any thoughts?

[CaptMike]

1. Quota does not exist
2. No such thing
3. Dependant on your attitude not whos in the car with you. If your first questuon is why did you pull me over illegaly? Your getting a ticket
4a. Up to the judge
4b. High likelyhood
4c. If you feel the ticket is wrong then it is your right to fight it. Officers are on duty in court so in some cases it is overtime and they may be gpad to be there. Other times it takrles away family time and may not want to be there but they are required to attend.
5. In california, all 830.1(city cops and Dep Sher) and 830.2(CHP) may cite all roads and all vehicle codes.

[mej16489]

1. Quota does not exist
2. No such thing
3. Dependant on your attitude not whos in the car with you. If your first questuon is why did you pull me over illegaly? Your getting a ticket
4a. Up to the judge
4b. High likelyhood
4c. If you feel the ticket is wrong then it is your right to fight it. Officers are on duty in court so in some cases it is overtime and they may be gpad to be there. Other times it takrles away family time and may not want to be there but they are required to attend.
5. In california, all 830.1(city cops and Dep Sher) and 830.2(CHP) may cite all roads and all vehicle codes.

/endthread

[CBR_rider]

LT did a pretty good job of summing things up and I don't have much to add, but since you asked for my two pennies here they are:

1) There is no "official" quota system anywhere, however, if you work a proactive unit you are expected to show results. Frankly, we as tax payers should expect all LEOs, especially ones in proactive units, to make busts/cites/take bad guys to jail. The problem (and teh reason no official quota systems exists) is how exactly do you quantify good police work? Who are the "best" LEO's? Is it the beat cop who takes his time on "cold" calls and comforts the rape victim while getting a good statement, gets good fingerprints from burglaries that lead to arrests/convictions, helps the old lady push her car out of the roadway, but doesn't really get many arrests himself? Or is it the LEO who arrests anyone/everyone for every felony they find? Is it the LEO who spends her time concentrating on DUI's and reckless driving but can't shoot very well?

2) Nope

3) No, depends on the person doing the talking and what exactly they did wrong.

4a) Not true

4b) Most likely

4c) Most court time seems to wind up being time and one half for me, so if I don't have any plans for the day I don't really care. The longer you take on the stand means the more guns or motorcycle stuff I get to buy.

5) CHP regularly "poaches" in many of the urban areas around where I work looking for stolen cars and DUI's.

[9mmepiphany]

3. It's nearly Impossible to talk your way out of a citation UNLESS you're driving with your girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife/family.

I've heard a lot of urban legends, but I've never heard this one.

I can't even figure out what logic it might follow

[P5Ret]

But wait you didn't ask about my favorite. "It's illegal to drive barefoot."

[retired]

/endthread

Sounds good to me.