Published: December 01, 2008 11:48 pm
State Police problems need to be addressed
For the Times West Virginian
A survey suggesting there are not enough State Police troopers serving West Virginia is discouraging news.
The issue came to light recently with the results of a survey of troopers throughout the state. Nearly 450 troopers — 82 percent — assigned to field posts in May responded to the survey by legislative auditors, providing more than 1,800 comments on the 26-question survey.
According to an Associated Press story on the report, “a majority of in-the-field troopers — 247 officers or 68 percent of those responding — said their areas lacked adequate police coverage at all times. More than 80 percent of those surveyed in two districts, one serving the Eastern Panhandle and the other the Potomac Highlands, believed it to be true.”
The national ratio for law enforcement is 2.5 officers for every 1,000 residents, Gail Higgins, acting legislative research manager, said in the AP report. In the Mountain State, the ratio is 1.69 officers — not the best numbers to provide the public a sense of security and safety.
The survey also showed troopers complained that manpower shortages force overtime, and troopers are not compensated while “on call.”
Complicating the issue: Off-duty troopers who have been assigned to respond say the practice curtails performance when they are scheduled to assist on-duty troopers in adjoining detachments within their troop.
“In the event of an emergency, the ’on call’ officer responding may not be within the same county as the incident,” the AP reported from the audit. “Additionally, the officer may not be as familiar with the area as an officer who patrols that area on a regular basis.”
Unfortunately, the manpower shortage was not the only issue brought to light in the survey.
Almost a quarter of troopers who responded to the survey complained that State Police brass impose an unofficial monthly quota for traffic warnings or citations, and about 30 percent say they’re punished for not meeting that quota.
Additionally, “more than one-fifth of those surveyed believe troopers are arbitrarily transferred or relocated as a form of discipline, even though that’s against state law,” the AP reported.
This is unacceptable.
Our state troopers have one of the most difficult, dangerous jobs imaginable. And we — state residents and the people we elect to office — must ensure they are treated honorably.
If there are not enough troopers in West Virginia to handle crime and public safety, then lawmakers must work quickly and efficiently to address this deficit.
Also, we expect the allegations brought forth regarding “unofficial quotas” and arbitrary transfers to be investigated.
State troopers deserve our admiration and appreciation. And we must do all that is in our power to make sure they are treated fairly and respectfully.
— Bluefield Daily Telegraph
This editorial does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Times West Virginian editorial board.
State Police problems need to be addressed
For the Times West Virginian
A survey suggesting there are not enough State Police troopers serving West Virginia is discouraging news.
The issue came to light recently with the results of a survey of troopers throughout the state. Nearly 450 troopers — 82 percent — assigned to field posts in May responded to the survey by legislative auditors, providing more than 1,800 comments on the 26-question survey.
According to an Associated Press story on the report, “a majority of in-the-field troopers — 247 officers or 68 percent of those responding — said their areas lacked adequate police coverage at all times. More than 80 percent of those surveyed in two districts, one serving the Eastern Panhandle and the other the Potomac Highlands, believed it to be true.”
The national ratio for law enforcement is 2.5 officers for every 1,000 residents, Gail Higgins, acting legislative research manager, said in the AP report. In the Mountain State, the ratio is 1.69 officers — not the best numbers to provide the public a sense of security and safety.
The survey also showed troopers complained that manpower shortages force overtime, and troopers are not compensated while “on call.”
Complicating the issue: Off-duty troopers who have been assigned to respond say the practice curtails performance when they are scheduled to assist on-duty troopers in adjoining detachments within their troop.
“In the event of an emergency, the ’on call’ officer responding may not be within the same county as the incident,” the AP reported from the audit. “Additionally, the officer may not be as familiar with the area as an officer who patrols that area on a regular basis.”
Unfortunately, the manpower shortage was not the only issue brought to light in the survey.
Almost a quarter of troopers who responded to the survey complained that State Police brass impose an unofficial monthly quota for traffic warnings or citations, and about 30 percent say they’re punished for not meeting that quota.
Additionally, “more than one-fifth of those surveyed believe troopers are arbitrarily transferred or relocated as a form of discipline, even though that’s against state law,” the AP reported.
This is unacceptable.
Our state troopers have one of the most difficult, dangerous jobs imaginable. And we — state residents and the people we elect to office — must ensure they are treated honorably.
If there are not enough troopers in West Virginia to handle crime and public safety, then lawmakers must work quickly and efficiently to address this deficit.
Also, we expect the allegations brought forth regarding “unofficial quotas” and arbitrary transfers to be investigated.
State troopers deserve our admiration and appreciation. And we must do all that is in our power to make sure they are treated fairly and respectfully.
— Bluefield Daily Telegraph
This editorial does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Times West Virginian editorial board.
» Budget Cuts Class
» The polygragh
» Academy Class
» Dodge Products
» Favorite brand of pistol
» Assualt Weapons
» Transformer vs. Matrix
» Real Stories Of the Highway Patrol