Traffic OCU's patrol officers are highly trained advanced drivers, motorcyclists and vehicle examiners. All receive additional training in accident investigation with many being trained to advanced levels in forensic collision reconstruction, vehicle examination, tachograph analysis and hazardous materials enforcement. They have responsibility for the enforcement of road safety legislation, response to major incidents and incidents on motorways and the strategic road network, the complete investigation of fatal collisions, and the initial investigation of life changing Road Traffic Collisions within the MPD. Traffic OCU Sergeants are also responsible for the investigation of all collisions involving police vehicles. Traffic OCU's stated aims are to:
Deny criminals use of the roads by enforcing the law
Reduce road casualties
Tackle the threat of terrorism
Reduce anti-social use of the roads
Enhance public confidence and reassurance by patrolling the roads
Attend and investigate all fatal collisions
In addition to general police duties and patrol, Traffic OCU officers focus particularly on offences related to antisocial and criminal use of vehicles, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, excessive speed, dangerous and careless driving, defective vehicles, commercial vehicles and the transportation of hazardous materials, and disqualified, unlicensed or uninsured drivers. Within Traffic OCU, the Road Death Investigation Unit, staffed by detectives and expert collision investigators, is responsible for the investigation of all fatal collisions within the Metropolitan Police District. Whilst work continues to reduce the death toll, there are still in the region of 130 road traffic collision fatalities on London's roads each year - more than the number of murders.
Locations
Traffic OCU has five operational bases known as "Traffic Garages" and a headquarters at Empress State Building.
The North Garage is located on an industrial estate in Alperton and the Metropolitan Police Service uses the code TDQ to identify the location. The premises is a shared base. The geographic responsibilities of the officers from this garage are the London Boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Enfield, Haringey, Harrow, Hillingdon and Islington.
Traffic Operational Command Unit had 622 Police Officers of which 523 are based at the four traffic bases across London with the remainder at Headquarters and other smaller specialist units and over 130 civilian Police Support Staff employed within the department along with a small number of Special Constables. The Police Officers and Special Constables could be easily recognized by the white covers worn over their uniform caps and shoulder numbers beginning with the letter 'T'. 139 were based at the North East Traffic Base 125 were based at the South East London Traffic Base 117 were based at the North West London Traffic Base 142 were based at the South West London Traffic Base
Equipment and Vehicles
Traffic OCU officers patrol both in cars and on motorcycles. Cars used are the BMW 5 Series 530d tourer, Volvo V70 D5 Auto Estate BMW X5 4x4 and Mitsubishi Shogun 4x4. Each vehicle is fitted with a mobile data terminal with access to the Police National Computer, Automatic Number Plate Recognition and video systems. The current solo motorcycle used is the BMW 1200RT-P although some older 1150cc and 650cc models remain. Although motorcycles carry less equipment than cars, they are far more agile through traffic congestion and are essential for escorting convoys, processions and demonstrations.
