Sheriff's Department offers tips on calling in traffic complaints

The Powder River Sheriff’s Department has put out some guidelines about calling in a traffic complaint. Sheriff Thumper Drane provided the details.

What is needed when calling in a traffic complaint:

1. What type of incident are you reporting.

2. Location of the incident.

3. Description of suspect vehicle (more than color).

4. License plate number and state of suspect vehicle if at all possible.

5. What direction is the suspect vehicle traveling.

6. How many occupants are there in the suspect vehicle.

7. Name, phone number and address of reporting party, people have to be willing to expose themselves to civil litigation and criminal prosecution for false reports (address can be provided at time statement it written).

8. Is the reporting party willing to write a statement to support the complaint and testify in court.

The department and dispatch have implemented a policy in line with Supreme Court rulings in order to deal with traffic violations. Anyone with questions may contact the Sheriff’s Office at 436-2333.