News
SPD Chief: Traffic Stops are Crime Prevention
Sheridan Police Department Chief Travis Koltiska and Captain Tom Ringley made an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to dispel some misconceptions about law enforcement and the SPD.
Chief Koltiska said officers are assigned data driven high visibility enforcement along with their caseloads, targeting unsafe driving as an everyday threat to Sheridan’s community safety.
Chief T. Koltiska
Captain Ringley also noted that detectives are utilized to free up patrol officers to manage both enforcement and investigative responsibilities.
Another misconception often raised during traffic stops is that an officer’s length of service determines their readiness to patrol alone.
The department Captain said no officer is assigned to solo patrol unless they have met the rigorous standards of the SPD training program and demonstrated they are fully prepared for independent duty.
Mark Steingass
December 17, 2025 at 3:30 pm
…and Traffic Stops are a great source of income for the City of Sheridan too…
Scott Thomas
December 18, 2025 at 12:22 pm
It’s hard to dispute Sheridan is “over-copped”. We need to change our approach to policing in this country. I’m from a law enforcement family and support law enforcement in general, but there are endless examples on body cam and dash cam that illustrate the heavy-handed tactics police departments have adopted, without reproach in most cases. Allowing small town departments to over-invest it tactical gear is an example. Patrol offices wearing tactical gear. It polarizes virtually any situation. And before you rabid sheep start gnashing your teeth, take a look at how other countries police behave. Protect and Serve. Innocent until proven guilty. A whole lot of cops are great at their job and are great people. A lot aren’t. We need better expectations and training, as well as better psycological screening. And get out of your damn car and walk around.