News
SPD leadership debunks myths
Published
2 years agoon
The Chief of the Sheridan Police Department, Travis Koltiska and Captain Tom Ringley made an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse program to debunk some popular myths regarding the SPD and its policies and procedures.
Many myths surrounding policing have their origin in Hollywood, others are developed over time by “jailhouse lawyers” (individuals who have no formal training in law but advise those around them) other myths are developed through social media.
During the program, the SPD Chief and Captain spoke on a few popular myths that are heard by officers on the force.
For instance, it is widely believed that an undercover officer will have to identify themselves as an officer if asked. This is completely false and undermines the entire practice of undercover policing, according to Koltiska.
Another popular myth: people have the right to a phone call while in jail. Koltiska told listeners that is false.
An officer will not pull over a vehicle if it is traveling only 5 mph over the speed limit. According to Ringley, that is a myth but it is dependent on many factors, including safe or unsafe weather conditions.
Here is a short list of other myths that are simply not true according to the Chief and Captain.
Officers can pull up driver insurance information on their patrol car computers. False.
Officers have to provide their badge number upon demand. False.
According to Ringley, there is no statue or policy that requires an officer to turn over that information. The Chief told listeners that depending on the rank or duties of an officer, they may not even have badge numbers.
It’s okay to call 911 for nonemergencies. False, please call 672-2413.
The SPD wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday season. According to the Chief and the Captain, this is absolutely true.
Mike McLaughlin
December 23, 2022 at 5:26 pm
Law enforcement has changed folks……. They use to SERVE AND PROTECT, now it is ARREST AND ENFORCE. They are not your friend, the less dealings you have with them, the better. At he highest level, they have “Weaponized” the DOJ, at the lowest level, it is the “Good ol boy” network of “Targeting”
Ezra petersen
December 24, 2022 at 8:43 pm
That’s a great way to do “community policing” Tom Ringley. A uniformed officer not required to identify themselves? That horse has already died in the Supremes long ago. You know your officers identify themselves, the badge number is irrelevant. Trying to make some perceived secrecy about a badge number isn’t really conducive to being a community oriented police agency.