The History of the Tallahassee Police Department Motorcycle Unit
Traffic/Motor Unit/DUI Unit
The Tallahassee Police Special Operations Bureau boasts an award-winning Traffic Enforcement Unit. This select group of highly trained individuals leads the agency in traffic enforcement initiatives, including DUI arrests and has been recognized both regionally and nationally for their efforts.
Enforcement and education are the guiding principles of the Traffic Enforcement Unit which is staffed by one Sergeant and twelve officers.
Nine motorcycle officers are responsible for enforcing traffic law violations at high volume traffic crash locations and in school zones. Daily, they respond to traffic complaint locations throughout the city, many of which have been identified by citizens.
Two Hit and Run Investigators conduct follow-up investigations of all hit and run traffic crashes reported.
Two officers are assigned to DUI Enforcement and primarily works night time hours to combat the effects of impaired driving.
The DUI and Traffic Safety Program Coordinator is an officer who manages all of the police department’s FDOT traffic safety grants, inspects and coordinates the certifications of all speed measurement devices used by the department, inspects each of the breath testing instruments on a monthly basis, and deploys safety messaging/speed display signs.
The Traffic Unit also provides support for special events throughout the year (i.e. parades, football games, holiday events, etc.).
The Traffic Unit is deeply involved in community relations. The unit co-hosts the annual Capital City Challenge, a motorcycle rodeo designed to display the competitive riding skills of motor officers. All proceeds from this event benefit the Special Olympics. They also coordinate the Battle of the Belts Program. In this annual event, we will recognize two local high schools. One award will recognize the school with the highest usage rate. The second award goes to the school with the highest increase in seat belt usage.
S.P.E.E.D. Program
Tallahassee Police Department’s Traffic Unit officers provide an engaging classroom setting for this program. S.P.E.E.D. (Supportive Parents and Police Educating Early Drivers) is a four-hour interactive, learning experience offered to teens ages 15-20 and their parents/guardians. It focuses on the importance of seatbelt usage and safe driving behaviors. S.P.E.E.D. includes a practical learning environment with videos, interactive activities and a question/answer session. This course satisfies the traffic court defensive driving school requirement for a first time traffic violation. Classes are offered monthly. Please call the TPD Traffic Unit for more details at (850) 891-4665.
Traffic Homicide Investigations
Each Traffic Unit member is also specially trained in traffic crash investigations. These investigators have over 160 hours of specialized training in traffic crash investigation and traffic crash reconstruction. These investigators are on call 24 hours a day and investigate all fatal traffic crashes as well as crashes involving serious injury.
Special Events Planning
With a very active City and State Government, university system, and Convention & Visitors Bureau, we are continuing to experience a high volume of special events requiring police coordination and control. The Special Events Unit is responsible for planning and staffing for security and traffic control at major community events in Tallahassee. Some of those events include the Springtime Tallahassee Parade, Florida A & M University and Florida State University football games, the annual Celebration of Lights, and all dignitary visits to the city. The coordination and planning for all events is performed by the Special Events Sergeant. Questions regarding Special Events planning, road closures and permits can be answered by calling Special Operations at (850) 891-4261. The application for special events and road closures are listed below.
Information and Photos provided by the Tallahassee, FL Police Department.