A. Citations Issued: For offenses under this title, police officers, after taking the name, address and operator's license number of the offender, the registration number of the vehicle involved, and other pertinent information as may be necessary, may issue a traffic violation citation notifying the offender to appear in court at the time designated for hearing such cases. Such officer may sign a complaint for the issuance of a warrant if the offender does not appear at the time and place so specified. A police officer may, in the exercise of his discretion, make an immediate arrest of the offender when deemed necessary to protect the public health and safety.
B. Forms And Records: The chief of police shall be responsible for the issuance of books of traffic citation forms to individual members of the police department. Said books shall include serially numbered sets of citations in the form prescribed by the mayor. The chief of police shall require a written receipt for every book so issued and shall maintain a record of every such book and each set of citations contained therein.
C. When Copy Of Citation Deemed Lawful Complaint: In the event the form of citation provided under subsection A of this section, includes information and is sworn to as required under the general laws of this state in respect to a complaint charging commission of the offense alleged in said citation to have been committed, then such citation when filed with a court having jurisdiction, shall be deemed to be a lawful complaint for the purpose of prosecution under this chapter.
D. Failure To Obey Citation:
1. It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to appear in answer to a traffic citation regardless of the disposition of the charge for which such citation was originally issued.
2. In the event any person fails to comply with a traffic citation given to such person or attached to a vehicle, or fails to make appearance pursuant to a summons directing an appearance in the proper court within the time permitted by ordinance, the chief of police shall secure and issue a warrant for his arrest. (Ord. 3378, 10-12-1966)