Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 10/13/2015 10/31/2024 10/31/2028
BUENA PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
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CP500 - Traffic Bureau 1 CP500 TRAFFIC BUREAU
CP500 .1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The primary goal of the Buena Park Police Department Traffic Bureau is to reduce the number of
traffic collisions and injuries through a combination of engineering, education , and enforcement.
A secondary goal is to provide support for community activities requiring traffic control. Th ese
may include, but are not limited to, parades, marathons, street fairs , and other public assemblies.
These activities serve to facilitate a closer relationship between the community and its Police
Department.
This Standard Operating Procedure outlines the duties, selection, training, and functions of
employees assigned to the Traffic Bureau.
CP500 .1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This procedure pertains to the following CALEA standards: 61.2.1, 61.4.4
CP500 .2 MOTORCYCLE TRAFFIC OFFICER PROCEDURES
The Motorcycle Traffic Officer (MTO) position is a specialty assignment within the Buena Park
Police Department with specific selection, training , and duty requirements. The following
procedures address some of those specific items .
CP500 .2.1 SELECTION OF MOTORCYCLE TRAFFIC OFFICER
The MTO position is considered a special assignment and selection is completed per BPPD Policy
§ 1002.5, Promotion and Special Assignment .
Additionally, d ue to the nature and high visibility of poli ce motorcycle duties, an officer selected to
participate in the motor cycle unit must possess a high degree of self -motivation and must maintain
exemplary uniform appearance. Applicants should demonstrate a high degree of communication
skills due to the var iety of public appearances a nd constant public interaction.
The following criteria will be considered in selecting candidates for the motor cycle unit:
a) Interest . This is a voluntary assignment . The officer selected must first submit a letter of
interest f or the assignment.
b) Motorcycle Experience . Riding experience is taken into consideration ; however , lack of
experience is not disqualifying. The Traffic S upervisor is more interested in a candidate’s
trainability. Prior to the selection process, applicants must possess an M -1 motorcycle
endorsement on their valid driver’s license .
c) Police Experience . Applicants must have at least two years of experienc e as a Buena
Park police officer.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 10/13/2015 10/31/2024 10/31/2028
BUENA PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
________________ ___
CP500 - Traffic Bureau 2 d) The applicant must have competent or better evaluations for the last three -year period .
e) No current disciplinary actions.
f) Letter of assessment from their current supervisor.
The selection process will consist of a lette r of interest and an oral interview . Applicants will be
ranked according to the outcome of the selection process and an eligibility list will be made. The
list will be valid for one year. The Traffic S upervisor may change this process as different need s
arise.
CP500 .2.2 MOTORCYCLE TRAFFIC OFFICER TRAINING
Motorcycle Training Instructor (MTI) . The Department will maintain at least one currently
trained motorcycle instructor. The Traffic S upervisor appoint s officers to this position . Appointees
will attend a POST -approved motorcycle instructor’s course.
Motorcycle Traffic Officer Training Manual . The Motorcycle Unit will maintain a MTO training
manual reflecting current training practices. The Unit’s MTI(s) will maintain the training manual .
Motorcycle Traffic Officer Pre -Training . Training will be provided through the Motorcycle Unit
by an MTI prior to the attendance of a POST -approved motorcycle officer training course. Th e
length of this pre -training is based on the skills of the individual officer , but should be no less than
80 hours. The objective of this training program is t o prepare the officer for successful completion
of the POST motorcycle officer training course. The MTI will ensure the new officer has all the
equipment needed to satisfactorily and sa fely complete the pre -training.
The MTI will teach the new motorcycle officer familiarity with the police motorcycle, coordination
of clutch and throttle, the ability to maneuver through traffic , and familiarity with the POST -
approved motorcycle training patterns. The MTI should document the officer’s progress on a daily
basis , using the evaluation forms in the instruction manual. Officers that are progressing
unsatisfactorily or are believed to be unsafe will be reported to the Traffic Supervisor and Traffic
Lieuten ant.
POST -Approved Motorcycle Training Course . After completion of the Department pre -training
course, new motorcycle officers will be sent to a POST -approved motorcycle training course.
Unsuccessful completion of the POST -training course may result in th e reassignment of the officer
to his/her previous position. The Operations Division Commander or his/her designee may decide
whether the officer is given another opportunity to complete the POST -approved motorcycle
training course.
Field Training . After t he successful completion of a POST -approved motorcycle training course,
the officer should spend at least one week of field training with the MTI. This training should
include traffic stops, familiarity with issued equipment, and traffic enforcement areas.