A few months ago a fellow pulled off U.S. 169 onto the older highway’s back way into Iola.
When atop the overpass, he punched the button to resume cruise control, which kicked his pickup truck back up to about 65 miles an hour. Half a mile down the road, he passed an Allen County deputy headed east. The deputy slowed, turned around and flipped on his red light.
A cordial conversation ensued during which the driver readily admitted he wasn’t thinking and that he was exceeding the 55 mph speed limit on the county road. The deputy mentioned that he knew it was difficult to slow from highway speed after turning onto the county road, gave the driver a verbal warning and told him to be on his way, but to slow down.
The driver acknowledged the warning made a lasting impression and that since he has been more observant of speed limits, not only on the old highway but also elsewhere.
Would a ticket and fine have had the same effect? Probably, but law enforcement in general gained respect and support by not inflicting damage to the driver’s bank account.
That’s a part of what’s called community policing, not having unbending responses to every situation. Often a warning has a more positive effect than a ticket.
Many times tickets are warranted, but not always and anytime a point of law enforcement can be made without issuing one, all the better. A little warm and fuzzy feeling doesn’t hurt a thing.
Veteran law enforcement officials often note that officers, particularly those new to the task, would gain more by watching reruns of “The Andy Griffith Show” rather than being influenced by what they see on hard-core programs such as “Cops.”
There is a time to be tough and forceful, but there also is a time to take the high road and deliver a light slap to the wrist rather than a left hook to the jaw.
We’re fortunate to have officers in local departments who understand the difference.
— Bob Johnson
Warning often as forceful as issuing ticket
