Be Your Department’s Leader
XIV.
“During my 50 years in law enforcement, I led by example. With a mission to save lives, I arrested impaired drivers, both as Chief of Police and as Sheriff. Every impaired driver removed from the road is one less crash that will happen, one less person that will die. As a nation, America sadly accepts over 100 traffic fatalities in preventable crashes every day, of which about a third are a result of an impaired driver. Throughout the years, impaired driving remains a crime that results in needless victims killed or injured by intentional criminal behavior. However, too often when officers do their job and arrest impaired drivers, charges are later reduced. That must end. We can stop impaired driving, but it will take a team effort, including bold laws that treat impaired driving as the real crime it is – murder using a 4,000-pound weapon. It is about protecting those we love … those we serve. We know that MADD will continue to be a vital partner in our effort to save lives.” Upon post implementation, results need to be quantified and communicated with the community. This should be updated regularly and should highlight any trends. Internally, the champion must be seen as passionate and committed to preventing injury and death. After all, there is nothing more important for public safety than saving lives. Once the scope of the problem has been identified, there must be a plan with measurable outcomes communicated to the community and agency members. If there is an area that will get more enforcement and visibility than others, steps must be taken to communicate this information specifically within those areas. It is extremely important that the “why” of the plan is explained and understood. Impaired driving is a dangerous and violent crime. Law enforcement leaders must be vocal and visible about the need to address impaired driving in their communities. They cannot be spectators in the arena they have chosen to engage. Simply put, if you allow it, you condone it. Any worthy cause needs a champion. Law enforcement leaders must be the champions in the cause to prevent injury and death caused by impaired drivers. It is not enough to merely give lip service to this dangerous behavior. It is extremely important for law enforcement leaders to be knowledgeable about the impact of impaired driving in their respective communities and the surrounding areas. Once armed with the facts, this information must be shared with community leaders and the community as a whole. Victim survivors of impaired driving crashes come from all walks of life. The impaired driver is indiscriminate when it comes to victims.
Author
Danny Sharp Chief of Police of the Oro Valley, Arizona Police Department (Retired) Member, MADD Law Enforcement Committee
Sheriff John Whetsel (Retired) Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office Co-Chair, MADD Law Enforcement Committee
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Mothers Against Drunk Driving ®
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