"If people are going to complain about being ticketed, tough - it's about saving lives.
"There's been enough publicity," Inspector Alastair Dickie said in response to questions about groups of police staff seen working together around the city over the past month.
"The bleating about revenue gathering is wearing a bit thin. People are still dying and being disabled and [police] staff are still apprehending numerous offenders despite extensive advertising."
Police staff travelling in groups of up to six police vehicles were part of a new rostering system in which the groups target problems such as speeding and driving at intersections, Insp Dickie said.
The re-rostering of the strategic traffic unit and emergency response groups had already generated numerous queries from the public asking why more police were out and about, but people driving within the law had nothing to worry about, he said.
"If you don't, my staff are going to get you at some stage, hopefully before you kill or maim someone."
The strategy involved having groups of up to six police cars working in traffic-offence "black spots" for part of the time each day and targeting repeat offenders and problem locations in a more covert manner at other times.
Problems being targeted included speeding, drink-driving, use of restraints, high-risk drivers, dangerous and careless drivers, intersections and car crime.
It was hoped a more visible police presence would encourage an attitudinal change among drivers.
The new approach had already seen positive results in that groups were picking up less offending at certain locations, Insp Dickie said.
Early indications showed an apparent decrease in general crime in areas where the teams were working.
