What action should an officer take if a radar unit is malfunctioning?

When a radar unit is malfunctioning, the appropriate action for an officer is to report the issue and take the unit out of service. This ensures the integrity of the data collected by the radar system, which is crucial for accurate speed enforcement. A malfunctioning unit could produce unreliable readings, leading to potential legal challenges or wrongful citations.

Taking the unit out of service prevents any further use until repairs can be made, which also protects the officer and the department from liability that could arise from errors in radar-captured evidence. Proper protocol necessitates that all equipment, especially those involved in enforcement, is functioning correctly to uphold public safety and legal standards.

Continuing to use the unit or attempting on-site repairs could further compromise its reliability, while ignoring the problem could lead to serious consequences. Reporting the issue properly addresses the malfunction while ensuring that enforcement activities remain credible and defensible.