It is never a fun time getting pulled over. Normally, you already know why the cop has chosen to pull you over. You were going way too fast or you weren’t properly signaling a turn, etc.
But every so often, there comes a time when you are quite surprised to see the red and blue lights behind you. In fact, usually during these times the excuse the cop gives you makes you raise an eyebrow.
It leaves you wondering if you really did break that traffic rule or if the cop was just trying to maintain some kind of monthly quota. It’s usually a rotten feeling, knowing that you’re the unfortunate selection for a numbers game. It can make you feel a little resentful towards the system.
But for the drivers in the state of Virginia, the days will no longer have to worry about getting pulled over just to fill some kind of monthly quota. The governor of Virginia, Glenn Youngkin signed Senate Bill 327, which is supposed to help improve the communal relationship between law enforcement and the public they serve. This new law, in particular, prohibits police departments from issuing specific quotas such as a certain number of arrests or another summons.
Delegate Robert Bell of Albemarle County, who sponsored the House version of this new bill, explained to The Center Square, “This was an effort by numerous groups and people [who] said you shouldn’t have … a formal or informal quota.”
It still isn’t known exactly how many police departments across the state of Virginia actually adhere to using a ticket quota system before the passing of the law. But the good news is that now, drivers don’t have to worry about it! And many believe that this will help to strengthen relationships between the police and the communities they serve.
One Radford professor and former cop, Dr. Tod Burke, believes that the bill can indeed help improve conditions, explaining to WSLS, “Officers do not like quotas, they don’t like to be pitted against one another and it’s not an effective measure for police performance.” The bill, itself, received lots of support from both sides when it was brought to the General Assembly.
According to WTVR, Dr. Bob Holsworth, a political analyst, added, “It was something that not only brought the two parties together, but it brought together civil rights organizations and police member organizations.”