Traffic Division
Jackson Police Department

The Traffic Division was reinstituted in October 2008 as a separate specialized unit within the Jackson Police Department.  Though the Traffic Division has many responsibilities, the primary focus is to address traffic safety and investigate hit-and-run traffic crashes.  The Traffic Division takes pride in being part of the reason the city of Jackson’s traffic fatality rate for 2009 was zero.

The primary tools utilized are the 3 E’s of Traffic Safety:  Enforcement, Education, and Engineering.  The highly motivated traffic enforcement officers utilize both motorcycles and marked patrol units.  Traffic enforcement cars have their own unique paint scheme – the black Dodge Chargers with the gold horizontal stripe.  The traffic cars are equipped with tint meters and on-board computers.  In addition, they have the latest in radar technology and strongly believe in the adage, “work radar, not wrecks”.  Traffic enforcement officers insure compliance with state laws and city ordinances related to vehicles through aggressive traffic enforcement, high visibility patrols, and public awareness of traffic safety.

Traffic officers are not assigned to a specific beat, but roam city-wide.  At times, they will be assigned to work in problem areas, such as school zones and areas with high volumes of traffic crashes.  There is a “zero tolerance” policy when it comes to drivers who are operating their vehicles while uninsured.

The Traffic Division’s investigators conduct detailed follow-up investigations on every hit-and-run traffic accident occurring within the city limits.  Whenever any lead is developed, investigators use every method at their disposal to identify hit-and-run suspects and hold them accountable, so the victims will receive a measure of justice.

At present, all the monitoring and operation of the automated red light enforcement cameras and mobile speed enforcement vehicle are performed by members of the Traffic Division.  Every single alleged violation received through the automated enforcement systems are individually reviewed by a sworn police officer in the Traffic Division.  The officer ensures the violation was technically correct, there was not any computer or camera malfunction, and the violation was issued in a fair and consistent manner.

The Traffic Safety Coordinator presides over the Jackson-Madison County Traffic Offender Program, where the focus is on traffic safety education.  He also serves as a liaison with the City Engineering Department to addresses safety issues in the design of roadways and traffic control and warning devices.

The Parking Enforcement Unit vigilantly patrols the downtown area to enforce handicap parking regulations, fire lanes, and other parking violations.

Traffic officers receive specialized training in highway drug interdiction, traffic safety, and advanced motorcycle operation.  All traffic officers are certified in the use of radar and attend quarterly meetings of the Governor’s Highway Safety Office.