FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2002
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

COLUMBIA - The South Carolina Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol on Friday reassured the public that the Highway Patrol’s role is to protect and serve the public, emphasizing that swift disciplinary action will be taken against any trooper found to be violating policy or the law.

“The Highway Patrol - as well as all law enforcement - is here to serve and protect the public - not intimidate or threaten their safety in any way,” said Highway Patrol Col. Mike Kelley. “We have strict policies, procedures and training in place when it comes to making traffic stops. Deviation from those procedures by any trooper will absolutely not be tolerated.”

Kelley advised the public that a trooper is required to do several things when making a traffic stop:

• They should always conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner when interacting with the public;
• All stops are required to be called into and logged by Highway Patrol Communications;
• The officer must use discretion when selecting a place where the violator can be stopped promptly and safely.
• Lights and sirens should be activated when making a traffic stop;
• Every reasonable effort should be made by the officer to identify himself as a law enforcement officer without jeopardizing his safety or the safety of others. If while attempting to stop a violator, the officer perceives the violator is unable to identify the officer as a trooper, the following procedures should be followed by the trooper:

• Wear the campaign hat;
• Activate the dome light during hours of darkness;
• Use the vehicle’s public address system, and/or
• Pull alongside the violator.

• Officers operating vehicles with video cameras shall activate the audio-video equipment as soon as the emergency equipment has been activated.

“We have an internal mechanism in place to handle complaints by the public, and we encourage the public to call our Office of Professional Responsibility if they feel that their rights have been violated or a DPS officer has treated them in an unprofessional manner,” Kelley said.

The Highway Patrol fired Orangeburg Snr. Tpr. T.A. D’Alesandro, 33, on Thursday after the State Law Enforcement Division charged him with criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping.

Traffic Enforcement Policy

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