|
 The Traffic Unit is responsible for traffic safety throughout the city. The most
identifiable resource is motorcycle officers.
It
is the mission of all Modesto Police Officers and of the Modesto
Police Traffic Unit in particular, to make the City of Modesto a
safe place to drive. We see first hand the devastation
and tragedy which can result from negligent, criminal or thoughtless
acts committed behind the wheel. Upon assignment to the Traffic
Unit, all officers agree to commit ourselves to pro-actively addressing the various
causes of traffic related deaths and injuries. It is an unfortunate
reality that the most effective way to modify bad driving habits is
through a strong enforcement profile.
The Traffic Unit has many varied responsibilities dealing
with traffic matters within the City of Modesto. We investigate all fatal collisions
occurring in the city. Most serious collisions involving great bodily injury are also
investigated by the Traffic Unit.
 We
attempt to educate the public on traffic safety matters. This includes
the implementation of two check points monthly, one for Driving Under
the Influence (DUI) enforcement and the other, in conjunction with the
"Keep Baby Safe" foundation, for child safety restraint violations.
The unit is a source of numerous traffic informational pamphlets which
we distribute at the checkpoints and other activities.
The Traffic Unit is
utilized for most special events. We provide traffic and crowd control
for the Fourth of July parade, picnic and
fireworks display. Also for, The Christmas parade, the Cinco de Mayo
celebration, all of the concerts in the park and many other events.
All hit and run follow-up
investigations are handled by the Traffic Unit.
But first and foremost, the
Traffic Unit is an enforcer of traffic laws. There are 270 police officers
on the Modesto Police Department. In 2003, 23,099 traffic citations were
issued. The Traffic unit wrote 14,642 of them. The Traffic Unit makes about
6% of the department, but issued almost 63% of the traffic citations.
 Today's Traffic Officer has various tools
at his disposal. From his laser speed gun to the mobile radar
trailer, the latest technology is used in order to keep the streets of
Modesto safe.
The officers ride Harley-Davidson
"Road King" Police Motorcycles.
Arguably the most difficult training in police work
is the 80 hour Basic Police Motorcycle School. Many of the Motor Officers have attended
other physical schools, such as Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) courses. Most would
agree that when it comes to sheer physical and mental stress nothing compares to Motor
School. All the enforcement officers (motor cops) attend traffic collision
schools. They start with the basic 40 hour course, then 40 more hours of intermediate
investigation (skid school), 80 hours of advanced investigation and 80 hours of
reconstruction investigation. (5 weeks total). After completing all of these Police
Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.), approved schools the officers can be
certified as a traffic collision expert investigators in a court of law.
The Traffic Unit wants to hear from you regarding any
perceived traffic problems. They will be logged in our open complaint file. From there,
they are assigned to different officers. The officer will then attempt to deal with the
problem and monitor his results. This may be something as simple as placing the Radar
Trailer on certain streets. If needed, we can pool all of our resources and assign the
entire unit to a specific area for some heavy saturation patrol.
The
Traffic Unit would like to thank all of the citizens of Modesto who have helped us in the
past. We truly appreciate your concerns regarding traffic safety hazards found in our
city. Modesto continues to grow at a phenomenal rate. We face heavier and heavier
traffic congestion as a result of this growth. This presents us with numerous challenges.
As Traffic Officers, it is our duty to address these challenges. We ask for your assistance
in helping us to make the streets safer for all of us. Working together, we can make a difference.
For more information about the Traffic Unit, contact
Lt.
Bill Ryan.
 |
Modesto, CA 95354