Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 01/24/2011 08/01/20 18
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
_____________________________
500 - Traffic Function and Responsibility 1 POLICY 500 TRAFFIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY
500.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The ultimate goal of traffic law enforcement is to reduce traffic collisions and to bring about
voluntary compliance by the public of all traffic laws . This may be achieved through t he
application of such techniques as geographic/temporal assignment of personnel and equipment
and the establishment of preventive patrols to deal with specific categories of unlawful driving
behavior. Traffic enforcement techniques are based on accident d ata, enforcement activity
records, traffic volume, and traffic conditions. This Department provides enforcement efforts
toward violations, not only in proportion to the frequency of their occurrence in accident situations,
but also in terms of traffic -related needs.
500.1.1 ACCREDI TATION STANDARDS
This section pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 1.2.6 , 61.1.1 , 61.1.2 , 61.1.3 , 61.1.4 ,
61.1.5 , 61.1.6 , 61.1.7 , 61.1.8 , 61.1.9 , 61.1.11 , 61.1.12, 61.3.1 , 61.3.2 , 61.4.2, 82.2.2 , 82.3.3
500.2 TRAFFIC OFFICER DEPLOYMENT
Several factors are considered in the development of deployment schedules for officers of the
Tustin Police Department. Information provided by the California Statewide Integrated Traffic
Reporting System (SWITRS) is a valuable resource for traffic accident occurrences and therefore
officer deployment. Some of the factors for analysis include:
a) Location
b) Time
c) Day
d) Violation factors
All officers assigned to patrol or traffic enforcement functions will emphasize enforcement of
accident caus ing violations during high accident hours , and at locations of occurrence. All officers
will take directed enforcement action on request, and random enforcement action when
appropriate against violators as a matter of routine. All officers shall maintain h igh visibility while
working general enforcement, especially at high frequency accident locations.
When working stationary selective enforcement, officers should not seek completely concealed
positions for the purpose of traffic enforcement .
Other factor s to be considered for deployment are citizen requests, construction zones or special
events.
500.2.1 UNMARKED CARS
State law prohibits the use of unmarked cars solely for the purpose of traffic enforcement.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 01/24/2011 08/01/20 18
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
_____________________________
500 - Traffic Function and Responsibility 2 500.2.2 CHECKPOINTS
Department members engag ed in the planning and operation of checkpoints for the purpose of
driving under the influence , or driver’s license enforcement and education, shall plan and conduct
such checkpoints in accordance with case law and District Attorney requirements.
500.2.3 TRAFFIC RECORDS
The data used to deploy traffic officers may include data stored in the Records Management
System regarding traffic collision data, traffic enforcement data and roadway hazard information.
The Traffic Supervisor is responsible for the coo rdination of data distribution.
500.3 TRAFFIC COMPLAINT AND DATA REVIEW PROCESS
The Tustin Police Department fully recognizes its unique opportunity and responsibility to
contribute to improving traffic engineering and safety in the community. To this e nd, the police
department will continue to work in concert with the Traffic Engineering Department and City
Council to devote adequate personnel and other resources to:
a) Collect and compile traffic -related data relevant to identifying specific engineering
problems and solutions.
b) Conduct special traffic surveys and studies, as appropriate, to investigate potential
problems further.
c) Analyze accident and enforcement data to discern trends and relationships symptomatic
of engineering problems.
d) Prepare special reports and make recommendations concerning efficient use of traffic
control devices, new or revised laws or ordinances, or other engineering
solutions/improvements.
e) Participate actively in the community’s transportation system management planning.
f) The Tra ffic Commander or their designee will attend monthly meetings with the Traffic
Engineering Department and attend other meetings relating to traffic engineering that
would impact the police department as required.
500.3.1 TRAFFIC ENGINEERING ACTIVITIES
The purpose of the Tustin Police Department, in conjunction with the City Traffic Engineering
Department, is to provide a safe and efficie nt traffic flow throughout the C ity’s transportation
system. This is accomplished by assisting in the development and ma intenance of traffic control
devices, street design and street markings within the City.
The City of Tustin Traffic Engineering Department maintains the City’s traffic control system in
compliance with existing federal and state guidelines via the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD). This manual is maintained by the Traffic Engineering Department.
The police department provides information concerning needed improvements such as street
signs, traffic control devices, pavement markings and gen eral street design to the Traffic
Engineer. The Traffic Engineer conducts a study to supplement the department’s
recommendations and proposes any corrections or improvements which may be needed.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 01/24/2011 08/01/20 18
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORD