Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
3 1/24/2011 06/01/201 9 12/01/20 20
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SP500 - Traffic Unit 1 SP500 TRAFFIC UNIT
SP500 .1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The primary goal of the Tustin Police Department Traffic Unit is to reduce the number of traffic
collisions and resulting 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
publi c assemblies. These activities serve to facilitate a closer relationship between the
community and its police department.
SP500 .1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This procedure pertains to the following CALEA standards: 16.1.1, 61.1.6, 61.2.1, 61.2.2,
61.2.3, 61.2.4 , 61.4.4 and 83.1.1 .
This procedure pertains to the following General Orders: 500.1, 500.2, 500.3, 502, 707.2 , 707.5,
and 1004.2 .
SP500 .2 MOTORCYCLE OFFICER PROCEDURES
The Motorcycle Officer position is a specialty assignment within the Tustin Police Department
with specific selection, training and duty requirements. The following procedures address some
of those specific items.
SP500 .2.2 MOTORCYCLE OFFICER TRAINING
SP500.2.2.1 MOTORCYCLE OFFICER TRAINING MANUAL
The Traffic Unit will maintain a motorcycle officer training manual reflecting current training
practices. The training manual and its maintenance will be the responsibility of the unit’s
motor cycle instructor(s).
SP500 .2.2.2 MOTORCYCLE TRAINING INSTRUCTOR
The Traffic Unit will maintain at least one currently trained motorcycle instructor. Officers
assigned to this position are appointed at the discretion of the Traffic Unit Supervisor and will
attend a POST approved motorcycle instructor’s course.
SP500 .2.2.3 MOTORCYCLE OFFICER PRE -TRAINING
Training will be provided through the Traffic Unit by a motorcycle training instructor, prior to the
attendance of a POST approved motorcycle officer trai ning 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 to prepare the officer for successful completion of the POST
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
3 1/24/2011 06/01/201 9 12/01/20 20
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SP500 - Traffic Unit 2 motorcycle officer tra ining course. The motor cycle instructor will ensure the new officer has all
the equipment needed to satisfactorily and safely complete the pre -training. The motor cycle
instructor 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 motor cycle instructor 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. The Traffic Unit Supervisor shall sign off on all training records, including the daily
observation reports of the new motor officer.
SP500 .2.2.4 POST APPROVED MOTORCYCLE TRAINING COURSE
After completion of the Tustin Police Department pre -training course, new motorcycle officers
will be sent to a POST approved motorcycle training course. Unsuccessful comple tion of the
POST training course may result in the re -assignment of the officer to a position based on the
needs of the agency . It is up to the discretion of the Community Policing Bureau Commander or
his/her designee whether the officer is given another o pportunity to complete the POST training
course.
SP500 .2.2.5 FIELD TRAINING
After the successful completion of a POST approved motorcycle training course, the officer
should spend at least one week of field training with the motorcycle training instructor. This
training should include traffic stops, familiarity with issued equipme nt (lidar, ticket writer, etc.),
and traffic enforcement areas. During this time the motor cycle instructor can address any
questions the new motorcycle officer may have specific to his/her new assignment.
SP500 .2.2.6 PERISHABLE SKILLS TRAINING
To maint ain motorcycle officers ’ skills at the highest level and to give them the opportunity to
refresh, refine and further expand their skills, one day a month shall be scheduled as a
motorcycle training day for the Traffic Unit . This day will be coordinated by the motorcycle
instructor or Traffic Unit Supervisor and will focus on the continued improvement of officers ’
skills with the intent to ingrain good habits so motorcycle officers ’ responses are automatic ,
greatly increas ing officer safety.
SP500 .3 MOTORC YCLE OFFICER DUTIES
SP500 .3.1 TRAFFIC COLLISION REPORTS
Motorcycle officers within the Traffic Unit are responsible for handling traffic collision reports.
When dispatched to a traffic collision report, motorcycle officers should