Two Troopers Recognized for "Looking Beyond the License Plate"

The International Association of Chiefs of Police has recognized two Massachusetts State Police Troopers for their keen investigation of a license plate violation. The Troopers' keen observations during this investigation led to the arrest of an individual on drugs and weapon charges.

On December 21, 2005, at Massachusetts State Police Headquarters in Framingham, Trooper Robert Plante of the North Dartmouth Barracks and Trooper William Bates of the Brighton Barracks were presented with the Looking Beyond the License Plate Honorable Mention Awards. The awards were presented by Earl Sweeney, Chairman of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Highway Safety Committee and Deputy Director of Public Safety for New Hampshire.

 

These awards stem from an incident that occurred on April 20, 2005, at about 10:15 a.m. It was around this time that Trooper Plante and Trooper Bates were patrolling Route 495 in Raynham, when they spotted a vehicle that was missing its front registration plate. They subsequently stopped the motor vehicle and after a diligent investigation, they arrested the driver for unlawful possession of a loaded firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of class A and B (controlled substances) and possession with intent to distribute class B. The IACP Safety Committee commended the Troopers on their diligent and deductive police work that led to the apprehension of this suspected criminal.

The awards are part of the national Looking Beyond the License Plate award program that recognizes law enforcement officers whose alertness and keen observations lead to the arrest of a suspect or the solution of a crime. It is estimated that 70 percent of all serious crime involves a motor vehicle. Law enforcement agencies nationwide acknowledge that front and rear license plates are a critical, cost effective crime fighting tool for identifying and tracking offenders. The IACP estimates more than a third of criminal arrests result from traffic stops.

Looking Beyond the License Plate is open to all law enforcement officers and is sponsored by the 3M Traffic Safety Systems Division in cooperation with the IACP Highway Safety Committee.