Operational partnerships - Traffic enforcement policy (R02)

1. Summary of changes

1.1 This policy has been reviewed in October 2023 - no amendments to content have been made. 

2. What this policy is about

2.1 This policy provides strategic direction concerning the detection, investigation and prosecution of road traffic offences. It is not the intention to remove the power of a police officer to exercise discretion when dealing with minor road traffic offences although disposals for any offences reported will be dealt with in accordance with current NPCC and force guidelines.

Compliance with this policy and its linked standard operating procedures (SOPs) is mandatory.

3. Statement of policy

3.1 Kent Police will enforce road traffic law in order to promote safer roads and to achieve a reduction in the numbers of people being killed or seriously injured (KSI). This will be achieved by focusing efforts on offences which have a direct relationship to road safety. The force adheres to the view of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) that education is more likely to achieve an improvement in driver behaviour and accordingly will make full use, where appropriate, of diversionary courses as a disposal option for traffic offences. 

3.2 The force will support appropriate community engagement activities to assist residents where possible to advance the cause of road safety within their local areas. 

3.3 Kent Police will ensure the highest standards of driver behaviour within the organisation. The force recognises that there are special circumstances relating to the emergency services. Police vehicles will be driven safely and only outside of the criminal law when statutory exemptions apply and in circumstances necessary to preserve life or property. 

3.4 Processes will be put in place to ensure adherence to this policy in such a way as to minimise bureaucracy for front line officers. Kent Police will make full use of the fixed penalty process. In particular, road traffic collisions reported to the police will be investigated proportionately to the seriousness of the outcome or likely outcome. Disposal decisions will be made in accordance with statutory guidelines and the Code for Crown Prosecutors, issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

4. Implications of the policy

4.1 Finance/staffing/training/other

4.1.1. This policy relates to the work of front line officers, public counter staff and colleagues working within the central process unit at force headquarters.

4.2 Risk assessment

4.2.1. This policy has been assessed as low risk.

4.3 Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)

4.3.1. An EIA has been carried out and shows the proposals in this procedure would have no potential impact or actual differential impact on grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, transgender, disability, age, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

5. Consultation 

• Head of Roads Policing
• Deputy Head of Roads Policing
• Traffic Case Review Officers
• Driver Training Manager
• Driver Training Students
• Superintendent, Strategic Criminal Justice 

6. Monitoring and review

6.1. This policy and the linked SOPs will be monitored and updated by the Head of the Central Process Unit. Monitoring will include the level and types of offence disposals, the granting of exemptions for police breaches of speed limits, and the quality control of evidence submitted for traffic offences. 

6.2. This policy will be reviewed every two years with the next review taking place in October 2025.

7. Security

7.1. Kent Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management policy.

8. Retention and disposal of records

8.1. Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal policy.