Operations Division

Traffic Unit

The Modesto Police Department’s Traffic Unit was first established in 1921. Today, the Unit has a Lieutenant, two Sergeants, and is authorized to have 10 motor officers, two DUI enforcement officers, one Hit and Run investigator and one Community Service Officer who serves as the traffic grants coordinator.

Motor officers ride Honda ST1300 Motorcycles. These motorcycles are equipped with emergency lights, siren, hand held Doppler radar and some even have moving radar. The police motorcycles are also equipped with Colt AR-15 rifles for rapid response emergency situations.  Prior to being able to conduct enforcement, every motor officer must pass a rigorous two month in-house training program and a two week Motor Officer Academy. Motor officers must also attend a minimum of 160 hours of specialized traffic collision investigation courses.
 
MPD Traffic Unit
DUI enforcement officers drive marked black and white Ford Crown Victorias. These vehicles have Preliminary Alcohol Screening devices and other specialized DUI equipment. 

DUI enforcement officers have received many hours of specialized alcohol and drug recognition training. Some of these courses include Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST), Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), and extensive training on the use and maintenance of breath alcohol testing machines (also known as EPAS and PAS devices). In addition to these courses, the traffic unit also has officers who are certified as standardized field sobriety test instructors.

The Modesto Police Department has certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians. This means they have passed a 40-hour course on proper installation of child safety seats. If you would like to be shown how to properly install a child safety seat in your vehicle, you can call (209) 342-9195.

For any other Traffic Unit questions, please feel free to call us at (209) 572-9592.

Traffic Squad