LAS VEGAS (AP) - Efforts are under way at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to get all officers to wear seat belts following vehicle crashes last year that killed three members of the force.
Six months ago, Sheriff Doug Gillespie promised to change the driving culture of the department with an internal marketing campaign. That campaign has been developed for free by local advertising and public relations firm R and R Partners, which also surveyed officers to find out why they don't always wear seat belts.
"After our three officer deaths, we realized we had to take an in-depth look at why officers were failing to comply with department policy and state law when it came to wearing seat belts," Gillespie said. "Initially we heard a lot of reasons from safety to, 'I need to get out of my car,' to a variety of aspects. I don't hear a lot of that anymore."
Officers will be watching a video on the importance of wearing seat belts and driving safely, featuring local officers who have been in crashes.
"Buckle-up" decals will be put on the outside of police cars above the door handles. Stickers that say, "Safe driving it's up to you," will be installed on the dashboard of each car near the steering wheel.
Posters that feature officers and their families will be placed in all of the department's briefing rooms.
"Research told us that the impact of leaving behind family was a powerful concept and one that would be very good to include in our campaign," said Vanessa Maniago, vice president of strategic development for R and R, in explaining the marketing campaign. "We decided to flip this message on its head by highlighting all the meaningful occasions and moments that might be missed if an officer was not safe."
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Information from: Las Vegas Sun, http://www.lasvegassun.com