Trooper pay will not be based on traffic tickets

Julie Jones, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, notified Historic City News that the discussion regarding paying performance bonuses to State Troopers is not tied to citations, as some in the media have surmised.

Director Jones provided Historic City News with a copy of the proposed policy that clarifies what standards must be met, at each level, during the evaluation of members of the Florida Highway Patrol.

“The Florida Highway Patrol’s proposed performance standards in no way create a quota for troopers and bonuses would never be provided based on enforcement actions such as a citation, warning or equipment inspection,” Jones said in her announcement this morning.  “It does include those things that troopers do each and every day such as assisting motorists with disabled vehicles, providing directions for lost travelers and helping stranded motorists who may have run out of gas.”

Jones also clarified for local reporters that the Florida Highway Patrol’s primary mission is public safety on the state’s roadways and the Patrol has always emphasized quality of service over quantity of activity to enhance the safety of the motoring public.

“The Department looks forward to setting performance standards that reflect the Patrol’s 75-year commitment to enhancing public safety on the roads and rendering aid to the residents and visitors to the State of Florida,” Jones concluded.

Expectation Title: Patrol

Expectation: During the annual evaluation period, member improves public safety and security by effectively patrolling the roadways of the state and ensuring a safe driving environment through active enforcement efforts.

Note: All standards must be met under a performance rating in order to earn that rating.

Performance Rating of “3”

• Reports for duty and remains in their assigned zone, unless directed otherwise.
• Red tags or tows (according to statute) all abandoned vehicles within their assigned zone on a daily basis.
• Promptly responds to all calls for service within their assigned zone when dispatched or when closest available unit to the call.
• Conforms to HSMV and FHP policies governing Mobile Data Computers (MDC), mobile video cameras, and automatic vehicle locator (AVL).
• Works toward Department and program goals by providing a safe driving environment, reducing traffic crashes, and educating the public.
• Enhances the image of the FHP by assisting motorists, providing public information and displaying professional and ethical behavior.
• Maintains assigned equipment and vehicle as prescribed by the appropriate owner’s manual and FHP Policy with no more than 8 corrective actions during monthly inspections.
• Reports damaged or lost equipment to supervisors.

Performance Rating of “4”

• All of rating “3” above.
• Proactively supports the Division’s monthly enforcement focus through participation in selective enforcement details.
• Proactively supports the Division’s public service value by initiating contacts with the public.(Enforcement activity is excluded.)
• Maintains assigned equipment and vehicle as prescribed by the appropriate owner’s manual and FHP Policy with no more than 4 corrective actions during monthly inspections.

Performance Rating of “5”

• All of rating “4” above.
• Proactively supports the Division’s public service value by initiating contacts with the public and documenting such contacts in the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. (Enforcement activity is excluded.)
• Proactively supports the Division’s mission to promote a safe and secure Florida by directing enforcement efforts and warnings on driving behavior shown to contribute to the cause and severity of crashes such as moving violations, impaired driving violations, and/or occupant protection violations.
• Maintains assigned equipment and vehicle as prescribed by the appropriate owner’s manual and FHP Policy with no more than 2 corrective actions during monthly inspections.

Performance Rating of “2”

• Any of the conditions for achieving a “3” has not been met, after coaching and training has not resulted in corrective improvement.

Performance Rating of “1”

• Any two or more of the conditions for achieving a “3” has not been met.