HISTORY

In 2002 traffic related incidents across the Los Angeles Unified School District were on the rise. This was a result of many factors; a large growth in student population, increased traffic volume in dense urban areas and the building of many new campuses. In an effort to answer these growing traffic concerns the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) was established. In April 2003 each officer was assigned Kawasaki 1000 Police motorcycles donated by the Los Angeles Police Department. 1 year after its inception, the TEU deploys 8 officers, each assigned 1100 RTP BMW police motorcycles.

DEPLOYMENT

LASPD Motor Officers are deployed directly into the Day School Program, working in teams of 2 officers. Each team is assigned to 1 of the 6 divisions; Valley-West, Valley-East, West, East, Central, and South. The TEU is tasked with traffic safety for the entire Los Angeles Unified School District. LASPD Motor Officers work directly with school staff in an effort to establish the safest, most efficient traffic environment around our schools.

TRAINING

LASPD Motor Officers attend the Los Angeles Police Department P.O.S.T. Motor School. Graduating officers receive 40 additional hours of training in the California Vehicle Code. LASPD Motor officers routinely train with the Los Angeles Police Department and the California Highway Patrol to maintain and improve riding skills.

LASPD Motor Officers utilize the three "E's" of traffic to promote a safe motoring community:

Education

• Motor officers routinely conduct educational traffic related seminars at schools for students, parents and staff of the schools. In addition they work with outside law enforcement agencies on education.

Enforcement

• Although viewed by the motoring public as a penalty, traffic enforcement is an educational tool designed to improve awareness of traffic laws.

Engineering

• It is the responsibility of motor officers to conduct traffic surveys of schools and the immediate vicinity to create a safe, free flowing traffic area for vehicles and pedestrians. This is facilitated by assisting schools in structuring parking zones, bus zones, drop off zones and obtaining appropriate signs.

For questions related to traffic safety in your area contact the division representative:

OIC - Sergeant J. Lopez
East Division -
Officer Babaoka or Officer Chacon
West Division - Officer T.C. Lee
South Division - Officer R. Peak
Valley Division -
Officer Doane or Officer Muneton