Policy Text
CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW
POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAFFIC UNIT
OPERATION S MANUAL
Revised: July 18, 202 4
FM/6/POL
300-07-18-24OM -i- Revised: July 18, 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 1
PURPOSE AND SCOPE ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 1
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION ................................ ................................ ................ 1
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ................................ ................................ ................................ 1
Traffic Supervisor ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 1
Traffic Officer ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................... 2
AVASA Community Services Officer ................................ ................................ ....................... 2
Parking Police Assistant ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 2
TRAINING PLAN ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 2
INVESTIGATIVE OPERATIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ . 3
Investigations Training ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 3
Types of Investigations ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 4
ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ . 4
SCHOOL SAFETY ENFORCEMENT ................................ ................................ ............................ 5
72-HOUR PARKING VIOLATIONS ................................ ................................ ............................ 5
UNIT EQUIPMENT ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 7
BMW RT 1250P Enforcement Motorcycle: ................................ ................................ ............ 7
2008 Suzuki DR 650SE: ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 7
ENFORCEMENT EQUIPMENT ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7
Lidar ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 7
Radar Trailer ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................... 7
TRAFFIC UNIT GRANTS ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 7
MAJOR ACCIDENT (11 -80) CHECKLIST ................................ ................................ ..................... 8
Patrol Responsibilities Prior to Traffic Unit Arrival ................................ ................................ 8
Traffic Team Responsibilities (Primary Officer if Traffic Unit is not Available) ..................... 9
FM/6/POL
300-07-18-24OM -1- Revised: July 1 8, 2024 INTRODUCTION
This manual outlines the functions of and explains the purpose and focus of the Mountain View
Police Department’s (MVPD or Department) Traffic Unit . This manual formalizes the Unit’s
organization, operations, equipment, and training plan. This manual will also provide
Department leadership with the guidelines for running the day -to-day operations of this
specialized unit.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of the Traffic Unit is to provide the Department with investigative expertise in the
area of motor vehicle collisions, enforce vehicle code violations frequently associated with the
primary cause of vehicle collisions, and provide public education related to roadway safety. The
ultimate goal of traffic law enforcement is to reduce traffic collisions. Additionally, the Traffic
Unit handles parking enforcement and abandoned vehicle enforcement.
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
The Traffic Unit is comprised of specially trained MVPD personnel who investigate injury and fatal
collision s and who enforce vehicle code violations involving traffic and parked vehicles. Unit
personnel are a collective of both full -time specialty positions, collateral assignments, and part -
time Police Assistants . The full -time specialty positions are Motor Officers and an Abandoned
Vehicle Abatement Service Authority ( AVASA ) Community Service Officer (CSO). The job
descriptions and responsibilities are further outlined in this operations manual. The collateral
assignment within the Traffic Unit is the Dual -Purpose Motorcycle Team (DPMT). DPMT is
comprised of former Motor Officers who are able to ride dual -purpose motorcycles and BMW
enforcement motorcycles.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Traffic Supervisor
The Traffic Supervisor is responsible and accountable for the overall operation of the Traffic Unit.
The Traffic Supervisor is the direct -line supervisor for the Traffic Officers, AVASA CSO s, Parking
Police Assistant s, and the DPMT Officers during DPMT operations. The Traffic Supervisor reports
directly to the designated Lieutenant and falls under the Field Operations Division. The
responsibilities of the Traffic Supervisor include, but are not limited to, investigating traffic
collisions, active supervision of traffic collisions, responding to resident complaints, scheduling
and leading enforcement operations, obtaining grants related to traffic safety, providing
statistical data from grant operations to the Traffic Lieutenant, writing eval uations of Traffic Unit
personnel, reviewing all Department traffic collision reports, maintaining equipment, monitoring
the training budget of the Traffic Unit, completing fleet purchasing documents, and assisting in
outreach efforts with the community.
FM/6/POL
300-07-18-24OM -2- Revised: July 18, 202 4 Traffic Officer
The Traffic Officer is the primary investigator for all major injury and fatal collision investigations.
Traffic Officers are responsible for remaining up to date on frequent locations of traffic collisions
and enforcing vehicle code violations in those a reas. Enforcement can include issuing citations
or providing educational warnings regarding the violation. The Traffic Officer must maintain
proficiency in the operation of their assigned motorcycle and is responsible for its maintenance
and appearance.
AVASA Community Services Officer
The primary responsibility of the AVASA CSO is addressing abandoned vehicles within the City.
The AVASA CSO handles complaints through the City’s Comcate system, abandoned vehicle
hotline, and proactive patrols. AVASA documentation is required for every possible abandoned
vehicle that is tagged for 10 -day abatement or that is eventually towed. The AVASA CSO attends
quarterly County meetings where AVASA expense reports are submitted for reimbursement.