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Between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., the Patrol Section is supplemented by a trained traffic officer. Each traffic officer is a regular sworn member of the Department. A traffic officer's primary role is to investigate most traffic accidents which occur during the shift, as well as spend more time on violation enforcement than the regular patrol officers. Normally, traffic officers do not respond to calls for service. However, since they are sworn police officers, they can be utilized for this function when the need arises.
Traffic officers receive specialized training in the investigation of traffic crashes. For this reason, if a traffic crash occurs between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. which results in a serious injury or fatality, a traffic officer is always on-call to respond and assist in the investigation.
In addtion to traffic enforcement and accident investigation, officers assigned to the traffic unit also coordinate our Citizen Speed Control Program and the use of our S.M.A.R.T. radar trailer. These programs not only help us to educate the public, but they are also traffic data-gathering tools for us.
The department has a separate phone extension for the Traffic Unit, to aid any citizen who would like to ask any question or express a concern or complaint regarding any traffic-related matter. The number, (847) 362-4449 x4832, can be used for any matter that does not require immediate police action. Residents who would like to learn about the Citizen Speed Control Program or request the S.M.A.R.T traffic radar trailer can also utilize this extension.
Situations that require immediate police action, but are not emergencies, should continue to be called into the (847)362-4449 number and the situation should be explained to the telecommunicator. Naturally, all emergencies should be called into 9-1-1.
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