The New York State Association of Chiefs of Police (NYSACOP) represents Police Chiefs and other law
enforcement personnel from police departments throughout the State. NYSACOP and its members
constantly strive to educate and inform the public about law enforcement issues, how such issues may
affect the public and what and/or how citizens can assist law enforcement to ensure positive and
productive outcomes for all involved.
One such issue is the public's encounter with law enforcement as a result of a traffic stop. Overall, traffic
enforcement is conducted for the purpose of terminating violations of the New York State Vehicle and
Traffic Law. Traffic violations are often the cause of vehicle crashes which may result in death, personal
injury, property damage and also often results in significant financial loss. Additionally, since ninety-four
percent of all traffic crashes are one-hundred percent preventable, it is imperative that law enforcement
continue to be vigilant for risk takers on New York's roadways. Achieving voluntary compliance of vehicle
and traffic laws is the ultimate goal.
While NYSACOP fully realizes that being stopped by the police can be a stressful situation for a motorist,
it is also important to recognize that it can also be a stressful situation for the officer. Some reasons for
the motorist's stress may be that they may not be aware of why they are being stopped and what actions
they should, or should not, take during the stop. As for the officer, while approaching the motorist's
vehicle there are many factors that can be stressful as well as situations that have the potential for
dangerous occurrences such as being struck by another vehicle.
In an attempt to improve this scenario, NYSACOP is circulating the attached informational flyer to educate
and inform the public on what to do and expect when pulled over by police. This flyer was developed by
a collaborative effort of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), the
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the National Association of Black Law Enforcement
Executives (NOBLE). Please take the time to review it as it is our sincere hope that the information is
helpful if you should be pulled over by the police.
Upon reviewing the flyer, you will see a segment stating that an officer may ask you to sign a traffic ticket.
While some states do ask a motorist to do so, this procedure is not done in New York State and as such if
you are issued a ticket you will not be asked to sign it.
NYSACOP and its members believe that communicating with the public enhances community relations
and provides valuable information relating to the duties and responsibilities of law enforcement. We
thank you for reviewing this information and for your commitment to traffic safety. Working together,
we can keep our roadways safe.
enforcement personnel from police departments throughout the State. NYSACOP and its members
constantly strive to educate and inform the public about law enforcement issues, how such issues may
affect the public and what and/or how citizens can assist law enforcement to ensure positive and
productive outcomes for all involved.
One such issue is the public's encounter with law enforcement as a result of a traffic stop. Overall, traffic
enforcement is conducted for the purpose of terminating violations of the New York State Vehicle and
Traffic Law. Traffic violations are often the cause of vehicle crashes which may result in death, personal
injury, property damage and also often results in significant financial loss. Additionally, since ninety-four
percent of all traffic crashes are one-hundred percent preventable, it is imperative that law enforcement
continue to be vigilant for risk takers on New York's roadways. Achieving voluntary compliance of vehicle
and traffic laws is the ultimate goal.
While NYSACOP fully realizes that being stopped by the police can be a stressful situation for a motorist,
it is also important to recognize that it can also be a stressful situation for the officer. Some reasons for
the motorist's stress may be that they may not be aware of why they are being stopped and what actions
they should, or should not, take during the stop. As for the officer, while approaching the motorist's
vehicle there are many factors that can be stressful as well as situations that have the potential for
dangerous occurrences such as being struck by another vehicle.
In an attempt to improve this scenario, NYSACOP is circulating the attached informational flyer to educate
and inform the public on what to do and expect when pulled over by police. This flyer was developed by
a collaborative effort of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), the
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the National Association of Black Law Enforcement
Executives (NOBLE). Please take the time to review it as it is our sincere hope that the information is
helpful if you should be pulled over by the police.
Upon reviewing the flyer, you will see a segment stating that an officer may ask you to sign a traffic ticket.
While some states do ask a motorist to do so, this procedure is not done in New York State and as such if
you are issued a ticket you will not be asked to sign it.
NYSACOP and its members believe that communicating with the public enhances community relations
and provides valuable information relating to the duties and responsibilities of law enforcement. We
thank you for reviewing this information and for your commitment to traffic safety. Working together,
we can keep our roadways safe.