G10.1.5 Uniform Enforcement Policies
Chapter: Chapter 10: Traffic and Parking Services
Sub-Chapter: 10.1 - Motor Vehicle Enforcement Activities
Effective Date: 05/29/2019
Revised Date: 11/28/2023
Rescinds: G10.1.1 – 5/29/2020
Purpose
To establish uniform enforcement policies and procedures for the Indiana University Police Department (IUPD) regarding various violations of traffic law and regulations.
General Order
Uniform enforcement supports the ultimate goal of traffic enforcement which is to achieve voluntary compliance with traffic laws and regulations. The IUPD prioritizes traffic enforcement for violations that jeopardize the safety of the public. The following procedures are to be followed whenever possible. However, specific circumstances may change the seriousness of the violation. Therefore, officers will utilize the Critical Decision-Making Model and exercise good judgement when evaluating the seriousness of the violation in relation to the circumstances and conditions existing at the time. The decision to warn or cite a violator will ultimately rely on the officer’s judgement based on the conditions and circumstances at the time of the violation.
General Traffic Enforcement Procedures
Officers may conduct traffic enforcement for violations that are observed within the geographic boundaries of the IUPD’s legal jurisdiction and patrol service area. Unless there is an articulable immediate safety concern for the public or the officer, officers are restricted from conducting traffic enforcement for violations that are observed at locations that are outside the geographic boundaries of the IUPD’s legal jurisdiction and patrol service area.
Records checks will only be conducted after an observed infraction or for another articulable investigative purpose that would lead the officer to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle. Officers will not routinely conduct records checks on vehicles without first having a legal justification to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. Having a legal justification does not mean officers are required to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle.
Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs (10.1.5 a)
The IUPD will take steps to train and equip officers to detect and apprehend alcohol and/or drug impaired drivers. When probable cause exists, officers will arrest alcohol and/or drug impaired drivers.
Suspended driver (10.1.5 b)
If the officer has probable cause to believe that the violator’s license has been suspended or revoked, the officer should take appropriate enforcement action depending on the level of the offense. The officer will ensure the violator does not continue to operate the vehicle away from the stop location.
Prior to conducting a records check on a license plate, officers will have observed an infraction or have another articulable investigative purpose that will lead to the officer initiating a traffic stop. Officers will not conduct records checks on license plates for the sole purpose of checking the license status of the registered owner.
Speed and other moving violations (10.1.5 c)
The IUPD prioritizes the initiation of a traffic stop for speeding and other moving violations that present a safety concern. Officers are encouraged to proactively enforce speed laws within the IUPD’s jurisdiction and service boundaries.
The decision to warn or cite a violator for speeding or another moving violation will ultimately rely on the officer’s judgement and be based on the conditions and circumstances at the time of the violation.
Hazardous violations (10.1.5 d)
The IUPD prioritizes the initiation of a traffic stop for violations that are considered hazardous; that is they are reasonably likely to cause a traffic collision or otherwise pose a safety concern. Generally, hazardous violations are considered violations dealing with the driver’s improper movement of a motor vehicle. Examples include but are not limited to distracted driving, reckless or aggressive driving, disregarding automatic signals, and pedestrian crosswalk violations.
The decision to warn or cite a violator for a hazardous moving violation will ultimately rely on the officer’s judgement based on the conditions and circumstances at the time of the violation.
Equipment violations (10.1.5 e)
The IUPD does not prioritize the initiation of a traffic stop for equipment violations unless the violation presents a safety concern.
The decision to warn or cite a violator for an equipment violation will ultimately rely on the officer’s judgement based on the conditions and circumstances at the time of the violation.
Public carrier/commercial vehicle violations (10.1.5 f)
Public carrier/commercial vehicle violations will be treated in the same manner as the general motoring public.
Non-hazardous violations (10.1.5 g)
Non-hazardous violations are defined as violations of laws affecting the use or protection of streets or highways but not enacted primarily to regulate the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians. The IUPD does not prioritize the initiation of a traffic stop for non-hazardous violations.
The decision to warn or cite a violator for a non-hazardous violation will ultimately rely on the officer’s judgement based on the conditions and circumstances at the time of the violation.
Off-road vehicle violations (10.1.5 h)
Officers will take appropriate action for violations they observe relating to the illegal on-road use or operation of off-road vehicles (e.g., snowmobiles, dirt bikes, and all-terrain vehicles, etc.). Officers will exercise discretion when deciding if a warning or citation is appropriate under the totality of the circumstances and with consideration of traffic volume, pedestrian traffic, weather conditions and location of offense.
Multiple violations (10.1.5 i)
The enforcement of multiple violations will follow established citation and warning guidelines. Typically, officers are discouraged from “stacking” citations and should write no more than two (2) moving violations per traffic stop, except for operating while intoxicated violations. However, the ultimate decision to issue a citation rests with the officer.
Newly enacted laws and/or regulations (10.1.5 j)
Unless otherwise specified by law, orders to the contrary, or if someone’s personal safety was compromised due to the driving behavior, officers should issue warnings for a period of fourteen (14) days after the date a new law becomes effective.
Violations resulting in traffic collisions (10.1.5 k)
A citation for a traffic infraction may be issued to the driver of a vehicle involved in a traffic collision if the investigating officer believes in good faith the person committed the infraction. Officers will investigate every traffic collision and based on the conditions and circumstances decide whether to issue a citation.
Indiana Code (IC) 9-30-2-6 permits an arrest to be made by a law enforcement officer for misdemeanors not occurring in the officer’s presence when the officer has probable cause to believe a person has committed the offense. Traffic misdemeanors in this category are leaving the scene of a personal injury or property damage accident (IC 9-26-1-1.1) and operating a vehicle while intoxicated (IC 9-30-5) if the violation of operating a vehicle while intoxicated is coupled with an accident.
Pedestrian and bicycle violations (10.1.5 l)
Officers will take appropriate enforcement actions when and where pedestrian and/or bicycle violations are observed. Officers should concentrate their efforts in areas where pedestrian and/or bicycle crashes have been frequent or where the likelihood of such crashes is high.
Related Information
Indiana Code
- 9-26-1-1.1 Duties of driver of motor vehicle involved in accident; sentencing
- 9-30-2-6 Warrantless arrests; violations; procedure
- 9-30-5 Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated
- 34-28-5-3 Detention; communications device information