WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes that traffic enforcement is an effective tool in combating crime; and

WHEREAS, the United States is a highly mobile society; and

WHEREAS, most criminals use a vehicle in the commission of criminal activities; and

WHEREAS, studies have shown that traffic enforcement activities can result in an increase in the number of criminal subjects apprehended and reductions in crime; and

WHEREAS, 37 percent of all criminal arrests by the Grand Prairie, Texas, Police Department were made during traffic enforcement activities; and

WHEREAS, the accused Oklahoma City bomber, serial killers and many other notorious criminals have been detected after committing motor vehicle violations; and

WHEREAS, the federal Highway Administration’s Drug Interdiction Assistance Program has resulted in a significant number of commercial vehicle drug interdiction arrests and seizures of contraband; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 103rd annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona, encourages state and local jurisdictions to incorporate traffic enforcement as a part of their overall enforcement program to help combat crime; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP encourages the development of a training program to establish and promote effective traffic enforcement techniques to assist officers in the identification and apprehension of criminals and criminal activities; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP supports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) efforts to promote the use of traffic enforcement in saving lives, reducing injuries, and combating crime.