Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
2 01/24/2011 06/01/201 9
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
CP530 - Traffic Direction and Control 1 CP530 TRAFFIC DIRECTION AND CONTROL
CP530 .1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This procedure provides guidelines for directing and controlling traffic. The responding
employee should assess the hazards presented at the scene and act appropriately to prevent
further damage to life or property.
CP530 .1.2 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This procedure pertains to the following CALEA standards: 46.1.4 , 61.3.2 , 61.3.4
This procedure pertains to the following General Orders: §400.1 .2 (h) , §500.5 .1
CP530 .2 TRAFFIC DIRECTION AT COLLISIONS & CRITICAL INCIDENTS
Uniformed personnel , when assigned to manual traffic control, should use universal and/or
uniform traffic control signals and gestures. The maj or objective of the person carrying out
manual traffic direction and control is to maintain or restore the safe and efficient movement of
vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
CP530 .2.1 TRAFFIC DIRECTION AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
All uniformed personnel may be used for traffic direction and control functions and should have
access to the necessary equipment to safely direct and control traffic in situations which may
include, but are not limited to, the following;
a) Traffic accident scenes;
b) Special events;
c) Emergency conditions;
d) Signal light failure;
e) Adverse road or weather conditions; and
f) Disabled vehicles.
CP530 .2.2 UNIFORM TRAFFIC DIRECTION HAND SIGNALS:
Stop Signal - Basic signal to stop is an upraised hand at the end of an ext ended arm raised to
well above shoulder level, with the palm of the hand clearly facing the approaching driver for
whom the signal is intended.
Starting Signal - The signal for a stopped vehicle to start moving begins at shoulder level, with
the officer e xtending his arm toward the stopped vehicle (pointing) and waving the car onward
by bending his or her arm at the elbow and drawing his or her hand toward his or her chest.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
2 01/24/2011 06/01/201 9
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
CP530 - Traffic Direction and Control 2 Pull Up Signal - The signal to pull up to a position, indicated by the officer dir ecting traffic at an
intersection, is usually reserved for turning traffic facing opposing vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
It is started by the officer pointing to the position at which the driver should pull his or her
stopped or slowly approaching vehic le. It is completed by maneuvering the driver forward to the
selected position to hold the turning vehicle until conditions are safe for the turning movement.
Turning Traffic - Once it is safe for the motorist to complete the turn, the opposing traffic
should be stopped using the standard stop signal, and motioning the turning vehicle to complete
its turn by making a come -a-long signal with the other hand.
CP 530.3 INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL OF STOP SIGNS DURING
POWER OUTAGES AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS
CP 530.3.1 PLANNED POWER OUTAGES
This procedure only pertains to traffic signals under the jurisdiction of the City of Tustin when
the duration of the power outage is so long that manned traffic control for the duration of the
power outage is not possible or reasona ble. City personnel will endeavor to follow this policy as
resources allow:
a) Upon learning a traffic signal has lost power, a police officer or police services officer
responding to the scene will open the signal box located on the traffic signal contro ller
cabinet door, and turn the toggle switch to the “Flash” position. This will ensure the
signal will come back on line in all red flash condition when power is restored.
b) Public Works Field Services personnel will install two STOP signs per approach, totaling
6 STOP signs for a “Tee” intersection or 8 STOP signs for a 4 -legged intersection. This
will require assistance of a police officer to direct traffic during sign installation.
c) Upon restoration of power, the traffic signal will begin all red flash operation with STOP
signs still in place. A police officer or police services officer will notify Public Works Field
Services th e STOP signs may now be removed, or the officer may remove the STOP
signs if Field Services personnel are not available, such a s after hours , and place them
on the corner for Field Services to pick up at a later time .
d) After removal of the STOP signs, a police officer will open the signal box and switch the
traffic signal to the “Auto” position. This will automatically start a se quence under which
the traffic signal will go through a 10 second solid red period, after which normal
operation will begin with a green indication on a designated traffic signal phase.
e) In the case of power outages affecting multiple traffic signals, the Public Works
Department will prioritize intersections to determine which ones present the greatest risk
to drivers. This prioritization will be based on traffic volumes as well as the approach
speeds of vehicles. If the power outages occur after hours, ava ilable personnel in the
Police and/or Public Works Departments will determine the priority intersections based
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
2 01/24