Mesa Police Department Traffic Section
 The Mesa Police Traffic Section is charged with ensuring that all streets of this city are
as safe as possible for its citizens, by enforcing all motor vehicle laws and removing
unsafe drivers and vehicles from our roadways.
The Mesa Police Traffic Section was formed in response to the increase of traffic;
traffic collisions and traffic related offenses in one of the fastest growing communities
in the country. It is dedicated to reducing injuries and fatalities caused by vehicle
collisions. The Traffic Section's 50-member force is able to accomplish this through
enforcement and education. Members of the Traffic Section not only enforce and
investigate traffic laws, but they also educate our citizens through traffic safety
seminars and presentations. The Traffic Section also assures that each member of the Mesa
Police Department receives the latest training related to DUI and traffic investigations.
The Traffic Section consists of 36 sworn and 8 civilian personnel. The sworn personnel
include 1 Lieutenant, 4 Sergeants, 1 Master Police Officer (MPO), 22 Motorcycle Officers
(Motors), 5 Reconstructionists, and 3 Hit and Run Detectives. Additionally some Motors
serve as Reconstructionists and Truck Inspectors when needed.
8 un-uniformed civilians include: 6 Photo Radar personnel, 1
Administrative Aide and our new Traffic Program Coordinator regarding new
Arizona Law and impounded vehicles.
 (Click
on photo to enlarge)
Mesa Police used a motorcycle as far back as 1924. This motorcycle was an Ace Sporting
Motorcycle and its test speed was a whopping 129.6 mph. In 1935 we used a 41
Overhead Harley Davidson.
The first Motorcycle Squad was established March 17, 1978; and the first female officer
to "RIDE" was in 1986.
Enforcement
A major cause of vehicle collisions are from excessive speed. The Traffic Section strives
to reduce these collisions through
selective enforcement
in our residential areas and school zones. The department has a growing
photo safety program
that utilizes cameras to capture violators who speed or run red lights. The
innovative equipment is provided by American Traffic Solutions, Inc., and the program
is expanding to cover more intersections and incorporate vehicles who run red
lights when making left turns. In 2005 alone there were 64 fatalities
from 61 collisions, a new record we would like to not repeat.
PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY.
Equipment used are Kawasaki KZ1000P (1000cc) Police motorcycles; standard police vehicles;
specially equipped photo radar vans; bicycles; speed radar trailers; a DUI van specially
converted for processing DUI drivers; a grant vehicle (unmarked -- concealed emergency
lights with camera and moving radar for Aggressive Driving Enforcement); a Command Van used
jointly by the Traffic Section and the fire department; and scales used for weighing
commercial vehicles.
The Traffic Section is responsible for investigating vehicle collisions and vehicular
homicides. Modern and innovative equipment is used to assure the accuracy of each
investigation. The Traffic Section uses Nikon AIMS System (Accident Investigation Mapping
System) for serious and fatal collisions. The AIMS System consists of a total station
survey instrument supported by a computer software program designed specifically to record
traffic related crime scenes.
From December 1998 until the
present, the AIMS System is used to measure accident scenes, which consisted of fatal and critical injury collisions; additional it
was used to plot a shooting scene. It works extremely well where a large amount of evidence must be plotted.
Since 2002, traffic reconstructionists have also
use the VULCAN system that utilizes a laser for
very accurate plotting. Just
recently in 2003 they have been testing and
using the SOKKIA SDR, a Global Positioning
system that can plot and measure collision
points to within a centimeter. All of
these systems help speed the process of
diagramming a scene.
During 2005 the Traffic Section made 1,106 felony
arrests, 2,048 misdemeanor arrests and referred
26 juveniles. They answered 4,296 calls
for service, which included on-view, radio calls
and collisions. The Traffic section issued 16,536
citations. This included a total of 28,026
violations both criminal and civil. This does not include
Photo Safety citations. 1,413 parking citations
were issued. The Traffic Section
investigated 79 non-injury collisions, 137
injury collisions and 64 fatal*
collisions. The traffic section DUI squad
arrested and processed 1,816 DUI and Drug Recognition
Examinations combined. Over 953 Commercial
vehicles were inspected, with over 1,180
violations putting the vehicles "OUT OF SERVICE".
* A new record number, last record was 37 in 1997.
The Photo Safety Program
consists of 6 members. They maintain 13
red light cameras and 5 photo radar speed vans
through November 2005 12,848 red light citations
were issued and 9,720 photo radar speed
citations were issued.
We have seven collision reconstruction specialists. These individuals have all received
specialized training in the field of collision investigation and reconstruction. This
training allows these persons to thoroughly investigate a collision and determine exactly
how it happened. The application of mathematics and physics are an important part
of this process. These individuals are often called upon to provide expert testimony in a
court of law.
The Traffic Section deploys a full time Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Squad with a
goal to detect, investigate, and arrest impaired drivers. Specially trained Drug
Recognition Experts detect those motorists who are impaired by prescription or illicit
drugs. The Mesa Police Department's DUI Squad regularly joins forces with the eleven
agencies of the East Valley DUI Task Force to remove impaired drivers from our streets.
During a 17 day period in November & December of 2005, the Task Force made
1,596 DUI arrests, and Mesa
PD was responsible for 232 of those arrests with the average BAC (Blood Alcohol
Content) at .137.
The DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) program completed 347 drug evaluations in
2005, of
the the Crime Lab confirmed 95% accuracy. In fact, the DRE program has probably
saved some lives. On two occasions DREs discovered the two DUI suspects were actually
suffering from a diabetic condition. These people were then provided with medical
attention and released.
A DRE told a suspect who had ingested drugs that the suspect should see a doctor
because the DRE had detected a muscular problem...the suspect later called the police
department to thank the DRE because the suspect was diagnosed as having M.S.
The Motors participated in Motorcycle Team and Motorcycle Rodeo events and have won
numerous awards, including first place.
Collision Investigators have the responsibility to investigate all types of automobile
collisions. This involves securing and managing collision scenes, collecting all data,
securing property and evidence, educating the public, and completing written reports.
Collision investigators also take enforcement action when necessary and testify to their
findings in a court of law.
The Traffic Section has seven certified child passenger safety technicians,
including two certified CSS instructors; these
individuals attended a 32 hour training program. Topics covered include: the need for
child passenger safety programs, relevant federal legislation and safety standards, crash
dynamics, vehicle occupant protection systems, selection and use of child restraint
systems, correct installation of child restraints, misuse and compatibility issues, safety
in other vehicles, and ethical considerations related to child passenger safety. Written
performance examinations were given. These course activities and successful performance leads to national certification as a Child Passenger
Safety Technician.
You can call (480) 644-KIDS (644-5437) to schedule a safety seat
inspection. Leave your name and phone number and a technician will call
you back to schedule a time for your car/booster seat to be inspected.
Ten officers are certified as CVSS (Commercial Vehicle Safety Specialist). These
officers are certified to enforce state adapted Federal Motor Carrier Regulations. The
duties of the CVSS include commercial vehicle examinations, weight and size enforcement,
hazardous material transportation, and commercial driver inspections.
Both the driver and the motor carrier (company owner) must maintain the vehicle in a
safe operating condition and are subject to stiff penalties if they do not comply. The
CVSS insures that the commercial driver and equipment are safe for Mesa's roadways and our
community.
**Note** -- Not all vehicles used by
businesses are considered to be commercial vehicles by Federal Motor Carrier Regulations.
The vehicle must be rated for a gross vehicle weight of over 18,001 lbs. In Arizona
the driver does not need a commercial driver's license unless the vehicle's weight is 26,001 lbs. or more.
The Traffic Section in 2005 created a Special
Enforcement Squad. It consists of four officers and their
primary function is to target areas where fatal
collisions have occurred. This started in
October, 2005 in response to the overwhelming
number fatal collisions this year. Each
month since its inception, these officers have
written over 1000 citations each month.
One motor officer is tasked with completing all
selective enforcements in the city regarding complaints by citizens of all
facets of traffic related issues. This officer also schedules all types of
classes and motor appearances. If you feel that we could be of assistance,
you desire us to speak to a class regarding any
traffic subject or would like a motor attend
your safety fair or event, feel free to contact us. If there is a problem in your
neighborhood involving a traffic issue.
Please complete the form at this link,
Traffic
Enforcement Request Form and mail to 130 N.
Robson or fax to 480-644-3419.
You can contact the traffic administration
officer directly at 480-644-4760.
Mesa Police employs two detectives that investigate Hit and Run crimes. These
investigators receive reports from patrol officers for follow-up. Once assigned, the
investigators aggressively seek the suspect(s) responsible for the crime. Hit and Run
accidents reported both on private property and public roadways are investigated. These
investigators utilize the latest in computerized investigative tools as well as old
fashioned, on the street, door-to-door techniques. Evidence from accidents in processed
for paint transfers, fingerprint and biological items that would enable the identification
of the culprit responsible for the hit and run crime. Interviews of suspects, witnesses,
and other experts are also conducted to obtain the information needed to bring the cases
to charging. Your Traffic Detectives are highly trained in the investigation of minor to
major traffic crimes. Traffic Detectives are on call 24 hours a day/7 days a week to
respond to serious traffic accidents. Hit and Run Detectives work from the Central Station located at 130 N. Robson,
Mesa.
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