POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 41 PANS in the community Truro Police Service continued continued Lynn Curwin (lynn.curwin@trurodaily.com) Truro News As originally published: September 20, 2019 Safe streets are a priority for Truro Police Photo credit: Truro Daily News When he spots something dangerous, Const. James Browne has the car in gear and the lights and sirens on within seconds. Browne, who works in the Truro Police Service traffic section, is often helping keep people safe on the town’s roads. “The main things I’m dealing with are speeding and people using their phones while driving,” he said. “People often don’t realize the impact of these things. They’re not only putting themselves and others in danger, and getting a fine and points, but it affects insurance. Their rates will go up when they’re fined for speeding or using a phone.” Browne has been with the Truro Police Service since 2002 and spent more than half of that time with the traffic section. “When I started working here, I trained with Graham Purvis and I kind of inherited this position from him,” he said. Some of the biggest changes he’s seen during the past few years have been inside the police cruiser. It’s now equipped with a computer, licence scanner, radar, and a printer, which allows him to print tickets and warnings. Most people are cooperative when stopped by police, but some become angry. “ I’ve come close to arresting people because of aggressive behaviour during a traffic stop,” said Browne. “I haven’t actually arrested them, but I’ve had situations where I called for backup. “People sometimes get out of the vehicle and walk toward me when I’ve pulled them over and that can feel threatening. Sometimes I’ve had to call out several times, telling them to get back inside. You shouldn’t get out of the vehicle when police stop you.” It’s not only the person who has been pulled over who presents a potential danger. Some drivers connect the ‘move over’ law with highway driving but don’t consider it while travelling through town. Browne has had vehicles pass by so closely that they brushed his pant leg. Dispatch will check to ensure there are no major problems if an officer hasn’t been in contact for a while. People are often unaware of the things that can result in fines. “If you don’t have your licence with you, you can be charged with failure to produce,” said Browne. “People often think they have 24 hours to bring in their licence but whether they’re given time or fined is at the discretion of the officer.” Although most people pay their fines without argument, Browne has to attend court when people fight them, and attending 12 cases in one day isn’t unusual. “I don’t enjoy giving people tickets, but I do like keeping them safe,” he said.
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