Policy Text
09.04 .0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this general order is to establish policy and procedure to assist officers
in their duties pertaining to traffic direction and control.
09.04 .1 POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Concord Police Department , that while providing traffic
direction and control , to maintain or restore the safe and efficient movement of vehicular
and pedestrian traffic. The department shall carry out its traffic control responsibilities
by providing and managing appropriate officers and resources adequate to deal with
reasonable expectations concerning the need for traffic control services.
09.04 .2 DEFINITIONS
A. MANUAL TRAFFIC DIRECTION AND CONTROL
The actual physical presence of officers who give instructions using uniform signals
and gestures to drivers and pedestrians to control traffic flow.
B. TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
Any apparatus intended for temporary deployment to assist the safe and efficient
movement and control of vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic, to include moveable
barricades and portable signs.
C. TRAFFIC DIRECTION AND CONTROL
This includes all functions, procedures, apparatus, markings, etc. designed to
promote and ensure the safe and efficient movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
D. UNIFORM HAND SIGNALS
Officers sh all use an open hand, palm out sign to indicate “STOP”. To start traffic
from a stopped position, officers sh all point towards the first stopped vehicle. Once
the driver’s attention is gained, use the other hand to motion the driver to proceed.
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
TRAFFIC DIRECTION & CONTROL
GENERAL ORDER: 09.04 CREATED: August 11, 2021 ISSUE DATE: October 1, 202 2
CALEA STANDARD: 61.3.2 EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 202 2
ACTION: Amends general order dated October 1, 2022. REVIEW DATE: September 4, 2023
General Order 09.04 TRAFFIC DIRECTION & CONTROL Page 2 of 3
09.04 .3 MANUAL TRAFFIC DIRECTION AND CONTROL
A. Officers at all times shall give due consideration to their own safety while carrying
out manual traffic direction and control activities. Officers sh all position themselves
so that they can be seen clearly by approaching traffic, usually in the center of an
intersection or street.
B. Officers conducting manual traffic direction and control shall wear the full uniform as
directed by department policy. Any officer directing traffic, or in the roadway
controlling traffic, shall wear the reflective gear provided by the department (ve st or
jacket).
C. Officers shall employ uniform hand signals to enhance driver and pedestrian
recognition and response to their direction.
D. A flashlight may be used to signal traffic to a halt. Flashlight cones may be used at
night to improve visibility of the signals to affected motorists. To stop traffic, slowly
swing the beam of the light across the path of oncoming traffic so that the beam of
the light strikes the pavement . After the driver has stopped, unifor m hand signals
may be given in the usual manner with the headlights of the vehicle providing
illumination.
E. If it becomes necessary to manipulate the normal light cycle, either due to a light
malfunction or traffic issue, notify the Concord Communicat ions Center so the
appropriate department shall be notified.
F. When practicable, officers sh all position their vehicle, with emergency lights
activated, in such a manner so as to provide a greater warning to on -coming traffic.
G. Situations that may req uire numerous points of traffic direction for a temporary
period ( e.g. power outage) sh all be governed by such factors as traffic -volume,
absence or malfunction of existing traffic signals, and weather conditions. The on -
duty field supervisor shall be res ponsible for determining the points of traffic control.
09.04 .4 TRAFFIC CONTROL AT COLLISION SCENES AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
A. Officers responding to the scene of a traffic collision or an emergency situation shall
immediately assess the need for emergency medical assistance.
B. As soon as practica ble, the responding officer shall notify communications of existing
conditions and request assistance from other agencies or other officers as needed.
C. As soon as practicable , an officer shall assume responsibility of traffic direction and
control until relief officers are available, following procedures set forth in this general
order.
09.04 .5 TRAFFIC CONTROL FOR ADVERSE ROAD AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
A. Upon discovering an adverse road or weather condition, officers sh all contact
communications and have the appropriate agencies and coworkers notified for the
purpose of correcting the condition.
General Order 09.04 TRAFFIC DIRECTION & CONTROL Page 3 of 3
B. Officers shall provide traffic direction and control services and scene protection in the
vicinity of adverse road and weather conditions, as appropriate.
C. Temporary traffic control devices may be deployed in support of traffic direction and
control services with approval of the field supervisor.
GARY J. GACEK
CHIEF OF POLICE