During the last eight months of 2007, the department's cameras recorded 224 instances in which county police vehicles were nabbed traveling more than 10 mph over the speed limit, the department disclosed this week in response to an inquiry from The Washington Post.Of those citations, 76 were dismissed after supervisors determined that officers were responding to calls or had other valid reasons to exceed the speed limit. Nearly two-thirds of the remaining 148 fines have not been paid, including an unspecified number that remain under investigation, said Lt. Paul Starks, a police spokesman.
There are no other valid reasons, other than responding to an emergency, to exceed the posted speed limit. If the police department believes there are other valid reason to exceed the posted limits they should make the list of reasons available to the general public so John Q Public can validate his reasons for speeding.