WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in particular, as well as the law enforcement community in general, continually promote safe driving practices; and

WHEREAS, speed continues to be a leading contributing factor in traffic crashes in the United States and Canada; and

WHEREAS, traffic crashes continue to result in the deaths of—and the injuries to—thousands of motorists and pedestrians each year across the United States and Canada; and

WHEREAS, numerous television advertising campaigns for motor vehicles tend to glorify speeding and other unsafe driving practices; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the IACP encourages both the vehicle manufacturers and the Advertising Council to promote both safe driving practices and responsible advertising; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP, in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is willing to work with the Advertising Council and vehicle manufacturers in promoting, through their advertising campaigns, safe driving practices.

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the need for a standardized National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) providing immediate access to titling information from all states by law enforcement officers nationwide; and WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the serious economic impact of stolen automobiles, title fraud, and odometer fraud to U.S. citizens of over $7 billion annually; and WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the illegally-obtained proceeds from the sale and exportation of stolen automobiles provide funding for organized criminal and terrorist organizations; and WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the importance that motor vehicle registration and titling information played in the search for information concerning the terrorists responsible for the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States; and WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the importance that motor vehicle and title information has played in the ongoing investigations concerning potential terrorist activities in the United States; and WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the importance that the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System will play in deterring criminal activities related to motor vehicle thefts and motor vehicle titles; and WHEREAS, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) has developed the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, as mandated by the Anti Car Theft Act of 1992, which currently is fully implemented by only six state motor vehicle licensing authorities, with an additional six participating to a lesser degree; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police, duly assembled at its 109th Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, recommends that its member jurisdictions support the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and encourage participation in it by their states’ motor vehicle administrators.

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and its member Departments are fully committed to reducing the number of roadway deaths and injuries; and

WHEREAS, there were over 13,000 speeding-related fatalities nationally in 2005, representing approximately 30 percent of total traffic fatalities, and many thousands more injured motorists; and

WHEREAS, law enforcement agencies, with increasing responsibility and without commensurate increases in staffing levels, are considering technologies to improve their efficiency; and

WHEREAS, automated speed enforcement, when used in conjunction with traditional means of traffic enforcement and public education, may become a viable option to complement law enforcement traffic safety efforts; and

WHEREAS, the IACP recognizes problematic issues with automated speed enforcement programs that are not carefully planned, implemented, or operated; and

WHEREAS, the IACP State & Provincial Highway Safety Committee has drafted guidelines and policy considerations to improve automated speed enforcement programs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the IACP will advocate for safety improvements to be the highest purpose for automated speed enforcement, and to achieve durable safety benefits, the IACP urges a strong focus on gaining and maintaining the support of the public and the judiciary; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that law enforcement agencies are encouraged to use the IACP automated speed enforcement guidelines and policy considerations to assist in the development of legislation, policy, and program plans, as well as to guide implementation and operational activities; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that automated speed enforcement must be deployed to high-collision locations and without regard to fine revenues; must be free from undue vendor influence; must be extraordinarily accurate; and used only in conjunction with traditional traffic enforcement.

 

Resolution No. S&P.033.a07

 

WHEREAS, law enforcement personnel are frequently the first responders to traffic incidents and often act as scene commanders for incidents occurring on the highway; and

WHEREAS, one of the leading causes of on-duty death and injury of emergency responders is being struck by vehicles while working along the highway; and

WHEREAS, traffic incidents often exacerbate traffic congestion and result in secondary vehicle crashes; and

WHEREAS, reliable communication networks that are interoperable between emergency responders can contribute to the more effective and efficient management of traffic incidents; and

WHEREAS, the National Unified Goal for Traffic Incident Management, proposed by the National Traffic Incident Management Coalition (NTIMC), was developed to improve responder safety, to promote safe and quick clearance of traffic crashes without compromising crash investigations, and to encourage the development of prompt and reliable communications for traffic incident responders; and

WHEREAS, law enforcement involvement is integral to the National Unified Goal; and

WHEREAS, law enforcement officials will be directly involved in the development of all national, state, and local policies resulting from the National Unified Goal; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) supports the National Unified Goal for Traffic Incident Management; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP support is contingent upon representation of the IACP on all working groups for the development of the National Unified Goal and its implementation.

 

Submitted by: Highway Safety Committee

HSC.017.a07

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and its members remain fully committed to recommending the best training and equipment available for officer safety; and

WHEREAS, each law enforcement agency develops, provides, and maintains officer safety training for their personnel; and

WHEREAS, every law enforcement agency has specific responsibilities to its citizens; thus geography, population, and economy are contributing factors to the techniques that each agency uses to provide such services; and

WHEREAS, the duties of law enforcement personnel involve an inherent danger; it cannot be determined when danger will arise requiring the need for cover and concealment; and

WHEREAS, law enforcement personnel have duties that range from providing medical assistance to apprehending violent felons, often during exigent circumstances, and officers must have discretion in adapting to these circumstances; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the State & Provincial Division of the International Association of Chiefs of Police urges the U.S. Department of Transportation to modify the recently promulgated, highway worker visibility regulations to provide more flexibility so each law enforcement agency can establish policies to best reduce the risk to officers and meet the individual needs of their agency, and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that all law enforcement officers are encouraged to use high-visibility vests to protect themselves, in accordance with the policy of their agency and respecting the potential for felonious assaults.

 

 

Submitted by: Division of State and Provincial Police

S&P.034.a07

HSC.014.a07

 

WHEREAS, the maintenance and enhancement of public safety are the highest priorities of the U.S. Department of Transportation and law enforcement agencies internationally; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 15,000 people were killed in 2005 in crashes involving alcohol, a substantial number of which had illegal BAC levels of .08 or above; and

WHEREAS, increasing numbers of law enforcement officers are killed or injured yearly as a result of alcohol-related traffic crashes; and

WHEREAS, research indicates that the effect of drugs, alone or in combination with alcohol, contribute significantly to the number of fatal and injury crashes; and

WHEREAS, research has shown that strong laws combined with sustained high-visibility enforcement, including the use of standardized field sobriety testing, drug recognition experts, and sobriety checkpoints where permitted by law and departmental policy not only reduce impaired driving but also reduce the incidence of other crimes; and

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) supports the use of technologies to prevent impaired drivers from operating vehicles, including the use of alcohol ignition interlocks, transdermal alcohol recognition systems, infra-red alcohol detection devices, and other technologies; and

WHEREAS, the IACP recognizes both Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and NHTSA in their continued efforts to eradicate impaired driving; and

WHEREAS, members of the IACPs Highway Safety Committee and other law enforcement leaders have publicly committed to MADDs Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, including their presence at the highly publicized November 2006, Kick Off event in Washington, D.C.; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the IACP encourages its members to sign MADDs pledge to Eliminate Drunk Driving and to support MADDs Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, which advocates the following: Ï Full support for high-visibility law enforcement Ï Maximum implementation of alcohol ignition interlock technologies Ï Advanced technology research initiatives Ï Mobilization of grassroots efforts; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP supports the use of the Highway Safety Committee Impaired Driving Guidebook: Three Keys to Renewed Focus and Success and NHTSAs Saturation Patrols & Sobriety Checkpoints Guide and Low-Staffing Sobriety Checkpoints as resource tools to eliminate impaired driving.

HSC.018.a07 WHEREAS, according to the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration in 2005, 62 percent of 16- to 20-year-old passenger vehicle occupants killed were unrestrained; and WHEREAS, teens have lower observed seat belt use rates than adults; and WHEREAS, one of the most effective measures a teen can undertake to prevent injury and death in a crash is to wear a seat belt; and WHEREAS, 80 percent of drivers aged 16 through 20 years identified fear of being cited as the sole reason for wearing their seat belts; and WHEREAS, an increased perception of the risk of enforcement is a means to increase seat belt use for this age group; and WHEREAS, statistics indicate lower seat belt use rates and higher fatality rates during nighttime hours; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) encourages all law enforcement agencies to engage in an enhanced effort to increase seat belt use among teen drivers and passengers, especially during nighttime hours; and, be it FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP continues to support sustained high-visibility enforcement of seat belt laws and encourages all agencies to participate in Click It or Ticket and state seat belt mobilizations and campaigns that increase seat belt use.

CPC.010.a07

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs has as one of its stated objectives to advance the science and art of police services; and

WHEREAS, every police agency is charged with the duty to assure the public sense of safety and security that, in turn, affects the quality of life of its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, the FBI estimates that somewhere in the United States one vehicle is stolen every 23 seconds; and

WHEREAS, without considering the cost of associated damage to recovered stolen vehicles, law enforcement, court administration, injuries, and damage to other property, the estimated loss value exceeded $9 billion in 2004; and

WHEREAS, conservative estimates by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) indicated that 10 percent of all vehicle theft reports are fraudulent; and

WHEREAS, many vehicle theft rings are composed of organized crime operatives who provide large sums of money for career criminals to fund other illegal activities; and

WHEREAS, current studies show that only 14 percent of all reported thefts are cleared by arrest; and

WHEREAS, public awareness is needed to support the training of law enforcement officers and prosecutors in the detection, investigation, and prosecution of vehicle theft and related crimes; and

WHEREAS, such public support and awareness has resulted in the creation of vehicle theft authorities that have improved the control and decrease of vehicle theft activities; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 114th Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, hereby encourages every police executive to embrace the creation of antivehicle theft committees or vehicle theft prevention authorities that are supported with independent and ongoing funding sources set by statute and at a level commensurate with the needs of each state; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that given the international nature of vehicle theft, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) hereby encourages every police executive in all nations to embrace the creation of antivehicle theft committees or vehicle theft prevention authorities to adopt similar measures to combat vehicle theft in their respective countries; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP develops and implements an aggressive strategy to educate the public, train police personnel, and develop technical assistance for the detection and prevention of vehicle theft.

HSC.013.a07

 

WHEREAS, according to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) in 2005, 4,553 motorcycle riders were killed in the United States, which is a 13 percent increase over 2004, and a 115 percent increase over 1997; and

WHEREAS, in 2005, 27 percent of motorcycle operator fatalities in the United States had BAC levels of 0.08 or higher; and

WHEREAS, nearly one out of four motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes in 2005 was operating a motorcycle without the required endorsement at the time of the collision; and

WHEREAS, wearing a DOT-compliant motorcycle helmet has been shown to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal head injuries to motorcyclists; and

WHEREAS, enforcement is an essential component to a comprehensive motorcycle safety program; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) supports an increased effort to reduce the number of motorcycle fatalities and injuries by implementing and enforcing the appropriate motorcycle-related laws associated with impaired riding, with licensing, and with using personal protective equipment; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP supports the enactment and enforcement of all-rider motorcycle helmet legislation in each state, since it is the most effective single measure to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries of motorcyclists; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP supports the use of The Detection of DWI Motorcyclists, How to Identify Unsafe Motorcycle Helmets, and the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety as resource tools in the effort to eliminate impaired and unsafe riding. (These tools are available on the NHTSA Web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.)

HSC.015.a07

 

WHEREAS, historically, police executives, academics, and legal scholars have established a strong nexus between proactive traffic enforcement and reductions in overall crime; and

WHEREAS, the scope of police services continues to increase at the same time law enforcement agencies face increased costs and shrinking budgets resulting in a decrease in traffic law enforcement services; and

WHEREAS, the federal funding that many law enforcement agencies have depended upon to supplement their traffic enforcement efforts has seen a reduction in recent years; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for consistent, strict, and effective traffic enforcement that is not solely dependent upon federal funding; and

WHEREAS, information/data-driven allocation and accountability of law enforcement resources has produced positive results and can be applied equally well to combating general crime and traffic enforcement; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative to develop and train the next generation of traffic safety professionals in order to maintain consistent and effective traffic law enforcement efforts; and

WHEREAS, the Strategic and Tactical Approaches to Traffic Safety (STATS) initiative developed by the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety is designed to dramatically reduce crash-related deaths and injuries on our highways while creating safer communities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) supports the STATS initiative and encourages police executives to: " Develop consistent, strict, and effective traffic enforcement that is not solely dependent upon federal funding. " Develop information/data driven allocation and accountability of law enforcement resources. " Recognize the nexus between strict and effective traffic enforcement and the reduction of overall criminal activity and other quality of life issues at the community level. " Develop and train the next generation of traffic safety professionals.

CPC.008.a07

 

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the need for a standardized National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) providing immediate access to titling information from all states by law enforcement officers nationwide; and

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the serious economic impact of stolen automobiles, title fraud, and odometer fraud to U.S. citizens of over $8 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the illegally obtained proceeds from the sale and exportation of stolen automobiles provide funding for organized criminal and terrorist organizations; and

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the importance that motor vehicle and title information has played in the ongoing investigations concerning potential terrorist activities in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the importance that the National Motor Vehicle Title information System will play in deterring criminal activities related to motor vehicle thefts and motor vehicle titles; and

WHEREAS, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) has developed the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, as mandated by the Anti Car Theft Act of 1992, which currently is fully implemented by only nine state motor vehicle licensing authorities, with an additional twenty-two participating to a lesser degree; and

WHEREAS, every police agency is charged with the duty to assure the public sense of safety and security that, in turn, affects the quality of life of its citizenry; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 114th Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, that the IACP will reaffirm its commitment to encourage its members to support legislation to fully implement the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and encourage participation in it by their states' motor vehicle administrators; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the membership be strongly encouraged to contact their Senators and Representatives to urge their support.

HSC.019.a07

 

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Sheriffs Association (NSA),the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) all recognize that the daily environment of law enforcement officers can be extremely dangerous, and that traffic work-zones are a part of that dangerous environment; and

WHEREAS, work zone fatalities increased nearly 4.75 percent between 2000 and 2005, with 1,074 work zone fatalities representing 2.47 percent of all roadway fatalities in 2005; and

WHEREAS, employing the use of law enforcement personnel in work zone environments is recognized as an effective countermeasure for the reduction of crashes, fatalities, and injuries in work zones; and

WHEREAS, the IACP in cooperation with the NSA, FHWA, and NHTSA, upon the recommendation of the NTSB developed a model training course for law enforcement officers assigned to work zone duties; and

WHEREAS, the work zone training law enforcement course was designed to educate officers to the risks involved with work zones and with officer safety in mind; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the IACP supports the safe and effective deployment of law enforcement officers in work zones; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED that the IACP endorses and supports the work zone training law enforcement course, Safe and Effective Use of Law Enforcement Personnel in Work Zones, for use by state, county, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.