Quotable

We agree wholeheartedly with Voicer Dominic Dellesandro (“End Compstat” 8/24/20). Quotas have no place in police enforcement, because they change police officers’ focus. Instead of concern for public protection, quotas put the emphasis on meeting numbers that will avoid criticism, often leading to unnecessary arrests. Doesn’t it seem that we’re more likely to get speeding tickets at the end of the month, even though we often hit the same speeds earlier without as much penalty? Quotas change the goal from public protection to officer compliance. Mr. Dellesandro is also correct about re-instituting the TPF. Much of law enforcement is about perception. When people regularly see a familiar community police presence, they feel safer…and we suspect potential lawbreakers may be deterred.