The people in your neighborhood...Traffic Officer

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Officer Travis Johnson. Officer Johnson is currently assigned to the traffic division and answered some questions about his enforcement activities:

CBR: How long have you been in law enforcement?

Officer Johnson: 8 years.

CBR: How long have you been assigned as a traffic Officer?

Officer Johnson: 3 years.

CBR: What does your typical day entail?

Officer Johnson: I usually start my day with traffic enforcement during the busy evening commute hours. After the traffic slows down, I return to the police station to complete reports and other office duties. In the late evening hours and early morning hours, I concentrate my efforts to the detection of DUI violators.

CBR: What type of enforcement do you do?

Officer Johnson: Enforce the vehicle code by issuing citations, investigate traffic collisions and DUI enforcement.

CBR: Why is it important to work traffic?

Officer Johnson: Multiple studies by organizations such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Office of Traffic Safety show that when traffic enforcement by law enforcement is increased, traffic collisions are decreased.

CBR: Are there other benefits to working traffic?

Officer Johnson: Another benefit of stopping vehicles is the ability to detect other types of crimes. An occupant may be wanted or be in possession of illegal items. Additionally, if criminals see Officers stopping a large amount of vehicles, they may chose to leave the areas in favor of one that does not have a high level of enforcement.

CBR: Do most people complain at the time of their tickets?

Officer Johnson: Actually, the far majority of citizens that I issue citations to do not complain and take responsibility for their driving.

CBR: There is a popular myth about quotas. Do you have quotas on tickets?

Officer Johnson: The Chico Police Department does not have any quotas for issuing citations.

CBR: Where do you think those myths came from?

Officer Johnson: Some departments do have quotas, but more than that, I think most citizens believe that citations are issued as a way of generating money for the department.

CBR: Do you get paid any extra for writing tickets?

Officer Johnson: I do not get paid any extra for writing citations. If fact, the issuing agency receives only a very small portion of the cost of the citation. The majority of the money received from issuing a citation goes to the State.

CBR: You have turned in some very impressive DUI arrests over the last years. Why do you focus on DUI’s so much?

Officer Johnson: Year after year, more American Citizens are killed in DUI related collisions than by all violent crimes put together. On average, a little more then 17,000 people are killed each year. This is a tragedy that is so easily prevented, yet it continues to destroy families every year.

CBR: What recognition have you received recently regarding your DUI enforcement?

Officer Johnson: I have been honored both locally and at the state level for the high number of DUI arrests I have made. However, these awards have nothing to do with my determination to remove impaired drivers from the road. I simply want our roads to be safe for the innocent people that are responsibly driving.

CBR: If there was one thing you could let the public know about your job, what would it be?

Officer Johnson: If we all slowed down a little bit and drove in a courteous manner, the road would be a safer and more enjoyable place for us all to be on.

Additionally, to those who may chose to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol - If you are stopped and you are impaired, don't bother asking for a "break" or a "warning." I do not care if your livelihood depends on your ability to drive. You will be arrested. You will go to jail.