What steps should be taken when a radar detects a speeding vehicle?

When a radar detects a speeding vehicle, confirming the reading, recording the speed, and following department protocols is crucial for several reasons. First, confirming the reading ensures that the radar is functioning correctly and that environmental factors haven't affected the accuracy of the detection. It's essential to obtain a reliable measurement before taking any enforcement action.

Recording the speed establishes documentation of the incident, which is vital for legal proceedings and accountability. This record can serve as evidence if the driver contests the citation, ensuring that law enforcement adheres to due process.

Following department protocols is important as it guarantees that each officer conducts their duties consistently and within the established guidelines for enforcement procedures. These protocols might include pulling the driver over safely, identifying yourself as law enforcement, and explaining the reason for the stop. Adhering to these steps helps maintain professionalism and promotes public trust in law enforcement practices.

The other options fall short of these requirements. Simply recording the speed without confirmation might lead to unjust penalties due to inaccuracies, while ignoring a reading doesn't align with a proactive enforcement policy. Alerting an officer without documentation misses the fundamental processes necessary for enforcing traffic laws effectively and could lead to a lack of accountability.