Mission Statement
The mission of the Traffic Section is to provide a safer city for all citizens through traffic enforcement, education and engineering. The primary goal of this section is the reduction of highway deaths, personal injury and property damage due to traffic collisions.
The Traffic Section, is made up of a Lieutenant, a Sergeant, a Corporal, nine motorcycle officers, and a police support assistant. The Traffic Section is the primary unit at the police department that monitors traffic safety in the city of Pasadena. The 9 motorcycle officers issue citations, warnings, respond to accidents, conduct traffic safety programs, and investigate traffic collisions.
The Traffic Section is part of the Special Operations Division under the leadership of Commander Mark Goodman, who reports directly to the Chief of Police, John E. Perez.
Police Motorcycle Training
Being a police motorcycle officer is one of the most demanding, dangerous jobs at the police department. Motorcycle police officers are not protected by the body of a car as they drive down the street and they are always exposed to the elements, whether it be excruciating heat, pouring rain, or excessive wind. They must always be mindful that even a minor traffic accident could lead to serious injury, even death. Because of this, motorcycle officers go through a 2-week Basic Motorcycle Academy where they must perform both high speed and slow speed maneuvers through intricate cone patterns, track driving, mountain riding, and freeway driving. The course is so difficult that over half of the people that attend the school fail on their first attempt. The school teaches officers how to ride in adverse conditions, how to safely pull drivers over and pursuit riding. Accident avoidance is also taught as is maneuvering through heavy traffic. Officers are also taught how to shoot their weapons while riding and how to use their motorcycle as cover in the event of a shooting. Currently, Pasadena’s traffic officer’s ride Honda ST1300 Police motorcycles. Rest assured that when you see a motorcycle officer riding down the street, he/she is well trained and an expert motorcycle rider.