TICKET-AND-ARREST QUOTAS DRAW LAWMAKER'S IRE

Police no longer could set monthly ticket-writing or arrest quotas
under a bill proposed yesterday by Sen. Anthony Bucco [R-Morris].

"The number of tickets issued, or arrest made, should be based on
actual offenses, not number crunching," said the veteran lawmaker.

Bucco's bill also would prevent state or local law enforcement
agencies from using the volume of an officer's tickets or arrests as
the sole factor in determining promotions, demotions or other job conditions.

"Factors such as complaints by citizens, attendance, punctuality, work
safety, commendations, demeanor, formal training and professional
judgment should be utilized to judge merit, not volume of ticketing or
arrests," he said.