Lawmakers to Argue Citation Quotas on Capitol Hill

None by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) Police officers in Utah often abuse their power to write citations in order to meet quotas. That's according to Democratic Representative Neil Hansen who wants the practice of citation quotas outlawed.

Hansen will carry a bill again this year prohibiting law enforcement agencies from requiring or directing their officers to issue a certain number of citations within a specific time frame. While most agencies deny carrying quotas, Hansen says often times the quotas are hidden under the guise of performance evaluations.

Last year, the bill passed the House but failed in a Senate committee. Hansen says many lawmakers who voted against the bill last year are now showing support for the measure.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom and 2008 Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2009 KCPW