Traffic Unit

Purpose

The goal of the Traffic Unit is to contribute to the Department’s mission of safe and efficient movement of vehicles and pedestrians. Also, to reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents in the County by having valid accident and enforcement data which is made available regularly to provide the Patrol Supervisors, VDOT and other highway safety-related groups with useful, adequate and timely information on which to base accident prevention efforts and preventative programs.

Traffic Unit 2020 4

The Unit will support the traffic activities through data collection and analysis, review of traffic enforcement policy and procedures, traffic enforcement measures, program planning, maintenance and calibration of traffic enforcement equipment and traffic enforcement.

Responsibilities

The Unit consists of 3 officers and is supervised by a Police Sergeant. The responsibilities are: 

  • Providing traffic-related training to Department personnel
  • Maintaining radar units and Alco-sensors
  • Calibrating tuning forks and police vehicles
  • Performing traffic analysis and/or coordinate selective enforcement activities based on traffic complaints
  • Evaluating areas experiencing chronic traffic problems
  • Serving as liaison with VDOT to identify locations requiring traffic control, locations requiring parking control or "No Parking" signs
  • Serving as liaison with State and Local Traffic Safety Groups
  • Procuring and distributing traffic safety educational material to the public
  • Working closely with the Grants Administrator in preparing applications for grant funding to include gathering required information and statistics, assist by providing information for required reports for all approved traffic-related grants and other duties as assigned

The Unit is responsible for identifying traffic problems throughout the County. Once the problems are identified, a plan is developed to reduce or eliminate the problem. Three primary areas of focus are Occupant protection, DUI, and speed-related problems. The Unit utilizes new technology to assist in these tasks. Special radar trailers, traffic classifiers and computer databases are commonly used to identify and analyze traffic problems.

Unit Awards

The Unit was developed in August 2002 and has received numerous awards for its work in traffic safety when compared to other Police Departments of similar size across the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as the Nation.

  • 2002 Rookie Award - Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
  • 2003 Honorable Mention - International Association of Chiefs of Police
  • 2004 Second Place - Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
  • 2004 Honorable Mention - International Association of Chiefs of Police
  • 2006 Third Place - Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
  • 2006 Greatest Increase in Community Seatbelt Use - DMV Highway Safety Office
  • 2007 Third Place - Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
  • 2008 Second Place - Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
  • 2009 Third Place - Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
  • 2010 Third Place - Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
  • 2010 Technology Award: Law Enforcement Challenge
  • 2010 John T. Hanna Award Recognizing Traffic Safety Excellence
  • 2010 Highest Seatbelt Use Percentage - DMV Highway Safety Office
  • 2010 Most Improved Seatbelt Percentage - DMV Highway Safety Office
  • 2011 First Place - Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
  • 2011 Second Place - International Association of Chiefs of Police
  • 2011 Highest Safety Belt Use Percentage - DMV Highway Safety Office
  • 2012 Commonwealth Award Winner for Best Overall Traffic Safety Program in Virginia 
  • 2012 Law Enforcement Challenge First Place (municipality with 76-125 officers)
  • 2012 First Place - International Association of Chiefs of Police
  • 2012 Most Improved Seatbelt Percentage - DMV Highway Safety Office
  • 2012 Commonwealth Award - Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police
  • 2014 Law Enforcement Challenge First Place (municipality with 76-125 officers)
  • 2015 Highest Safety Belt Use Percentage - DMV Highway Safety Office
  • 2015 Most Improved Seatbelt Percentage - DMV Highway Safety Office
  • 2017 Law Enforcement Challenge Occupancy Protection Award
  • 2017 Law Enforcement Challenge First Place Award (municipality with 61-125 officers)
  • 2019 Law Enforcement Challenge Second Place Award (municipality with 61-125 officers)
  • 2019 Law Enforcement Challenge Speed Awareness Award