Speak Out: An Arlington Police Quota System?

Arlington County police officers have monthly expectations for arrests, traffic summonses and parking citations, and risk disciplinary action if they fail to meet those goals, according to a memo obtained by WUSA.

The March 1 memo states, in part, "While there is not, nor has there ever been, a quota for traffic enforcement, the numbers are indicators of activity and indicators of whether the officers and corporals are conducting enforcement pursuant to our operational directives. … Consistently failing to attain these goals could result in disciplinary action," according to the news channel's website.

Day shifts, for instance, have "proactivity expectations" of 15 parking citations; evening and midnight shifts, five.

Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck issued a statement to WUSA, saying, in part, "Our performance measures are established to allow citizens, county managers and command staff to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the police services provided in Arlington County. The specific measures in the memorandum were determined from shift averages, informal polls and discussions between squads and their supervisors. Additionally, each of these expectations are subject to modification through a review process."

Patch has requested a copy of the memo from the county government and the police department, along with information of disciplinary action taken against any officers during the past month for failing to meet these expectations. 

Do you think this system is fair? Realistic? Ethical?

Tell us in the comments below.