TV trafpol given points system
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Police points are 'pointless gimmick'
Apr 27 2005
By Steve Still
POLICE chiefs are being accused of putting Thames Valley traffic officers under pressure with a "gimmick" system awarding them arrest points tied to the severity of the crime.
All 120 traffic officers are being issued with pocket-size aide-memoire cards listing the points awarded for each offence - with a 200 point monthly target to avoid being carpeted.
The force says it is an internal pilot scheme to prioritise workloads. But Victims of Crime Trust director Norman Brennan fears the system will put officers under unfair pressure to make arrests.
Under the system, officers get 10 points for arresting a drink-driver but the same number is awarded for capturing a rapist. Five points are given for stopping drivers for using mobile phones, or not wearing seat belts.
Thames Valley traffic chief, Supt Mick Doyle, said: "Every week in the Thames Valley, three people die on our roads. "The performance system enables stretched officers to prioritise their work. The roads policing department makes up 3% of the force. "Their priority is to make the roads safer and reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured."
Force spokeswoman Annie Tysom said the system has been developed in close consultation with traffic officers and the 200 points quota is a minimum which all officers will reach.
She added: "We're continually striving to improve performance and this is what we're trying to do by putting this system in place."
Mr Brennan, who has been a London police constable for 27 years, branded the system "a nonsense and a gimmick".
He said: "It's an insult to victims of sex attackers for this force to compare a rapist with two drivers not wearing seat-belts or using a mobile phone.
"Policing is not about scoring points, it's about protecting and reassuring the public."
* ARREST POINTS: 2 points are awarded for....
Breach of bail
Illegal immigrant
Mentally ill person
Pedestrian on motorway
Place of safety
Recall to prison
Shoplifting Warrant: 10 points for....
Abduction
Assault
Burglary
Deception
Disqualified driving
Drink driving
All drugs offences
ForgeryHandling
Offensive weapon
Rape and other sex offences
Robbery
Theft of/from vehicles
Threats to kill
* DETECTION POINTS: 10 points for all offences
* ROAD SAFETY POINTS: 5 points for....
Affray
All endorsable offences
Seat belt offences
Mobile phone offences
Criminal damage
Harassment
Public disorder
Tachograph: 10 points for....
Traffic accidents dealt with and/or careless, dangerous driving.
50 points for....
Taking the lead role at a fatal accident
Police points are 'pointless gimmick'
Apr 27 2005
By Steve Still
POLICE chiefs are being accused of putting Thames Valley traffic officers under pressure with a "gimmick" system awarding them arrest points tied to the severity of the crime.
All 120 traffic officers are being issued with pocket-size aide-memoire cards listing the points awarded for each offence - with a 200 point monthly target to avoid being carpeted.
The force says it is an internal pilot scheme to prioritise workloads. But Victims of Crime Trust director Norman Brennan fears the system will put officers under unfair pressure to make arrests.
Under the system, officers get 10 points for arresting a drink-driver but the same number is awarded for capturing a rapist. Five points are given for stopping drivers for using mobile phones, or not wearing seat belts.
Thames Valley traffic chief, Supt Mick Doyle, said: "Every week in the Thames Valley, three people die on our roads. "The performance system enables stretched officers to prioritise their work. The roads policing department makes up 3% of the force. "Their priority is to make the roads safer and reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured."
Force spokeswoman Annie Tysom said the system has been developed in close consultation with traffic officers and the 200 points quota is a minimum which all officers will reach.
She added: "We're continually striving to improve performance and this is what we're trying to do by putting this system in place."
Mr Brennan, who has been a London police constable for 27 years, branded the system "a nonsense and a gimmick".
He said: "It's an insult to victims of sex attackers for this force to compare a rapist with two drivers not wearing seat-belts or using a mobile phone.
"Policing is not about scoring points, it's about protecting and reassuring the public."
* ARREST POINTS: 2 points are awarded for....
Breach of bail
Illegal immigrant
Mentally ill person
Pedestrian on motorway
Place of safety
Recall to prison
Shoplifting Warrant: 10 points for....
Abduction
Assault
Burglary
Deception
Disqualified driving
Drink driving
All drugs offences
ForgeryHandling
Offensive weapon
Rape and other sex offences
Robbery
Theft of/from vehicles
Threats to kill
* DETECTION POINTS: 10 points for all offences
* ROAD SAFETY POINTS: 5 points for....
Affray
All endorsable offences
Seat belt offences
Mobile phone offences
Criminal damage
Harassment
Public disorder
Tachograph: 10 points for....
Traffic accidents dealt with and/or careless, dangerous driving.
50 points for....
Taking the lead role at a fatal accident
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