Case Study: WMP Operation Top Deck
continued...
Contact with the Public
Every contact leaves a trace
It was clear that the team wanted to make sure that they provided the
most appropriate response to identified offenders. We discussed why
we might want to make a distinction between those using a mobile
phone whilst moving, and those using their mobile phone whilst
stationary in traffic. The team decided that, whilst the police were the
appropriate authority for those ‘using and moving’ who would potentially
be prosecuted, partner agencies could be used to provide more
educational messages to the latter group (who may be ignorant of the
law as it relates to stationary use). This approach recognises that the
thinking behind each form of offending is likely to be different and hence
that the response should also be different.
Whether or not the targeted motorist is deemed suitable for education,
or enforcement, we can influence their experience, the lessons they
take from it, and their future behaviour (see P60) so all these encounters
should be informed by the principles of procedural justice and behaviour
change.
Looking for signs
One-to-one encounters such as those enabled by this project provide
a great opportunity for providing information that will really apply to
the individual and their particular circumstances. We would suggest
that officers operating as ‘spotters’ on buses (or indeed anywhere this
approach is adopted) be asked to look for useful clues which they can
pass on to the intercepting team further down the road. By this we mean
that they can have an important role in identifying whether, for example,
the next ‘stop’ is driving a work van, appears to be otherwise driving for
work (clothing, bags, laptops, papers for example) or may have young
children (child seats, toys, general debris (!), ‘Child on Board’ signs). By
passing this information to the intercepting officer/partner, the spotter
then allows the interceptor time to consider the most appropriate angle
to engage in conversation, and to use the approach most likely to have
impact for that individual. We discuss approaches that might work best
for those driving to, or for, work on p47-49.
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