Who has the authority to dismiss a traffic citation?

The court holds the authority to dismiss a traffic citation. This is because once a citation is issued, the matter becomes part of the judicial process, and it's the court that determines the outcome based on the law and evidence presented. Individuals who receive a citation typically have the opportunity to contest it in court, where a judge can decide whether to uphold or dismiss the citation based on various factors, such as the circumstances of the incident, the presentation of evidence, and applicable laws.

In the context of law enforcement, officers issue citations but do not have the power to dismiss them; their role is to document and report offenses. Similarly, while department heads and the Chief of Police may have oversight responsibilities or policy-setting power within their departments, they do not have the authority to intervene in a legal matter that must be resolved in a court of law. Therefore, the correct choice is the court, as it plays the central role in adjudicating citations and determining their validity.