|
Patrol Officers
Adams
Squad:
Corporal JR
Shelton
Baker
Squad:
Corporal George
Cole
Send Us as Anonymous
Tip
If you are
stopped by a patrol officer:
You may have violated
a traffic regulation
Your vehicle may have
a safety violation
The deputy may think
you are in trouble and need help
You may fit the
description of a wanted suspect
You may have been the
witness of a crime
If you are stopped by
a Sheriff's deputy, you may feel anxious, confused, or angry.
Please remember traffic stops can also be stressful and
dangerous for the deputy; in fact, many law enforcement
officers are killed or seriously injured each year while
initially making a routine traffic stop.
|
 During a traffic stop, it is important
to remember:
When you see the red and blue overhead
lights and/or hear the siren, remain calm and pull your vehicle over
to the right side of the road when it is safe to do so.
Remain in your vehicle unless the
deputy advises otherwise. Be sure the deputy is wearing a police
uniform. If not, keep your door locked and ask to see his or her
credentials.
Try to keep your hands where the deputy
can see them. Keeping both hands on the steering wheel is ideal.
Avoid any sudden movements, especially
towards the floorboard, rear seat or passenger side of the vehicle.
The deputy may think you are reaching for a weapon or concealing
some other object.
Do not immediately reach for your
license or other documents until the deputy requests them.
If your documents are out of reach, tell the
deputy where they are before you reach for them.
If the traffic stop occurs during the
night, the deputy will use a bright spotlight or flashlight to
illuminate your vehicle. You can help by turning on your vehicle's
interior light.
If there are passengers in your
vehicle, encourage them to remain quiet and cooperate with
instructions. As the vehicle's operator, you are solely responsible
for your vehicle and its occupants. Be honest with the deputy. Being honest
about the situation is the best approach.
 The Madison County Sheriff's Office
uses single-officer patrol cars and thus it is normal to see two or
three marked patrol cars on a routine traffic stop. This is to
ensure the deputy's safety, especially at night or on a stop with
more than one person in the vehicle.
If you receive a ticket, please accept
it calmly. If you feel the reason is vague or unclear, ask the
deputy for details. If you wish to contest the violation, you will
have an opportunity to address the matter in court. Do not argue
with the deputy. To comply with state law, you MUST sign the
citation! It is not an admission of guilt, only a promise to pay the
fine or appear in court at a later time to contest the charge. If
you do not sign the citation, you WILL be arrested!
Upon request, a deputy sheriff
will:
Provide his or her name and law
enforcement credentials.
Inform a motorist the reason for being
stopped.
Only arrest a person for a crime
committed in the deputy's presence, when accepting a citizen's
arrest, upon confirmation of an existing arrest warrant on a person,
or when the officer has probable cause to believe a person has
already committed a serious crime.
Only use the necessary force to effect
the arrest of a suspect and to maintain custody of that suspect
Sheriff John Ledford
Madison County
Sheriff's Office
P.O.Box 998
Lower Bridge Street
Marshall,
NC
28753
|
