Winston-Salem State University’s campus police department will be taking additional measures to increase the safety of students crossing Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. The near future will bring radar detector enforcement to help deter speed violators.
North Carolina state law requires an officer to have 40 class hours of radar training. The overall goal of the course is to improve the effectiveness of speed enforcement, through proper and efficient use of radar detectors. The class focuses on basic skills, principles and operation of radar detectors.
Another requirement is 16 hours total, of supervised clock training. The officers practice radar clocking on highways and city streets. This training allows officers to clock traffic speed using front or rear antennas. It also certifies officers in handheld radar detection. After course completion, forms are sent to the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission in Raleigh. Radar Operator Certification lasts for a three-year period.
WSSU Campus Police Department has five radar certified officers: Sgt. A. Pittman, Ofc. H. Thomas, Ofc. P. Ansel, Ofc. M. Bowers and Ofc. W. Garnett. These officers completed radar training, June 26-30, at Davidson Community College Criminal Justice Center.
“In the near future, we intend on having more officers complete radar training class,” Police Captain V.L. Thompson said. “It’s a good plan, as long as campus police does not get too wrapped up in giving out tickets, neglect other safety precautions, and regular police responsibilities,” said Rashad Byrd, senior Psychology major. “I feel it will decrease the number of speed violators on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, because people tend to remember places they get speeding tickets at. As long as they strongly enforce the plan, it should be very successful.”
It is not certain if this radar plan will be a success or a failure. If it can prevent vehicle-pedestrian accidents, it will make for a safer campus. For questions or comments concerning the new plan, contact Captain V.L. Thompson at (336) 750-2918. For more info about radar certification, visit www.ncdoj.com.