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Police Department - Patrol Services Bureau

Traffic Unit

The Traffic Unit is a line of support that provides technical expertise to the department in the areas of accident investigation, drunk and/or impaired driving detection and arrest and the operation of speed detection Doppler and Laser Radar. This unit is responsible for the investigation of all serious and fatal motor vehicle accidents that occur within the city limits. The Unit investigates citizen complaints of speeding vehicles, illegal parking and other traffic related issues. The Unit facilitates the planning and coordination of security, police escorts a nd/or crowd control for over 80 special events each year.

Accident Investigation

Officers within the Traffic Unit possess varying skill levels of accident investigation that range from Advanced Investigator to Technical Investigator to Reconstructionist. The Traffic Unit Investigators are relied upon to investigate fatal and serious injury accidents.

Hit and Run Investigations

Each year there are approximately 1500 hit and run accidents within the City of Des Moines. The Unit has two investigators following up on those cases with any leads. Most of the cases lead to the Investigator notifying the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) of the hit and run car owner’s name. The IDOT would then hold the owner financially responsible for the damage civilly. Also, the owner’s driver’s license and plate registration would be suspended until a financial responsibility bond was posted.

OWI / Drug Recognition Testing

Officers in the Unit are trained in the detection of drug and/or alcohol impaired drivers. Their training includes the use of special methods, procedures and equipment used in the arrest, testing process and prosecution of persons found to be violating Iowa's Operating Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated or Drugged Law.

Parking Enforcement

The Traffic Unit has a fourth squad which consists of a sergeant, one officer, one cadet and civilian parking enforcement personnel. This squad is responsible for the following:

• All parking meter enforcement
• Parking Regulation/Zone enforcement
• Enforcement of all City Parking Permits (approximately 850 issued each year)
• Assist with Traffic Control, as needed, for special events
• Target habitual parking violators
• Interact with neighborhood associations to target abandoned vehicles within their neighborhood and any other chronic parking problem

The squad is a valuable asset in relieving patrol officers from responding to these calls.

The Patrol Support Unit is supervised by a Sergeant.

To pay a Parking Fine: Click Here - To appeal a Parking Fine: Click Here

Crossing Guards

The Traffic Unit has an Officer that coordinates the Des Moines School's Crossing Guard Program. There are nearly 40 guards who are employed by the City of Des Moines and are responsible for 27 schools within the City. The Officer is responsible for the hiring/firing of the guards, calculating the guard's payroll, providing their equipment, uniforms, work schedules and ensuring their performance is meeting standards.

Special Events and Parades

The Traffic Unit has an Officer assigned to be responsible for coordinating all Special Events occurring within the City Of Des Moines. The nature of the events varies from Drake Relays, State Fair activities, parades and fun runs to Presidential and dignitary visitations warranting special escorts and security.

Traffic Control and Enforcement

There are three squads that concentrate on traffic enforcement. The officers within each squad have different areas of expertise and each squad tends to have its own unique focus.

First Squad’s Shift is 8:00 P.M. – 4:00 A.M.
The primary concern is traffic enforcement. However, during these hours, the concentration is also on the detection of drunk and/or drug impaired drivers.

Second Squad’s Shift is 6:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
The primary concern is traffic enforcement and answering citizen’s complaints. Traffic is most congested throughout these hours, and the focus is on radar enforcement, rush hour conditions, neighborhood complaints and assisting with special events as needed.

Third Squad’s Shift is 2:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.
The primary concern is traffic enforcement. However, they also respond to citizen’s complaints relating to traffic.

All three Enforcement Squads are called upon to assist with serious traffic accidents and drunk and/or drug impaired drivers. Radar Enforcement is a daily activity, with both stationary and moving radar set-ups. These set-ups are operated by Police Officers who have had additional training in radar operations. This training includes understanding the radar principles, employment and courtroom testimony. All three squads operate radar during their shift. All certified operators are tested on radar equipment set-up, testing and reading the equipment.