The Berkeley Police Department Traffic Bureau is comprised of Police Officers assigned to Traffic Enforcement, and BPD Parking Enforcement Officers assigned to the Parking Enforcement Unit. The Traffic Bureau operates out of the Traffic Bureau Substation at 841 Folger Street, at the corner of 7th and Folger Streets.
The Traffic Bureau is a part of the Investigations Division, and is commanded by a Police Lieutenant, who oversees both Traffic Enforcement (consisting of a Sergeant, four Motor officers, and a Traffic Analyst) and the Parking Enforcement Unit (consisting of a Parking Enforcement Manager, two Parking Enforcement Supervisors, and 21 Parking Enforcement Officers).
The mission of the Traffic Bureau is to promote safety and reduce collision through education and enforcement of the traffic laws and ordinances contained in the California Vehicle Code and the Berkeley Municipal Code.
Within the Bureau, the mission of the Parking Enforcement Unit is to promote parking turnover, ensure greater availability of parking spaces, and support the efficient movement of traffic through the City. Further information regarding the Parking Enforcement Unit, including comprehensive information on the duties, responsibilities, and enforcement practices and policies can be found here.
The Traffic Bureau officers serves the community through a variety of enforcement and education activities. These include both general enforcement and complaint-based focused enforcement, generated by community concerns and complaints regarding hazardous violations by drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. The goals of education and enforcement are to foster greater overall traffic and pedestrian safety in the city.
Traffic Bureau officers undergo a variety of specialized training classes which prepare them to perform their duties. Each officer is trained in motorcycle operation and qualification (a process taking formal classes and dozens of hours of practice and training). Officers attend courses in basic and advanced Collision Investigation and accident reconstruction, DUI training, and car seat installation.
Traffic Bureau Officers comprise the Department's Fatal Accident Investigation Team (FAIT). FAIT members receive specialized training in the operation of sophisticated measuring tools and scene diagramming software. FAIT members respond to fatal and serious injury collisions, and conduct extensive scene measurements and diagrams. The team also supports a variety of serious violent felony investigations, where complex scenes require precise measurement and documentation of the scene and evidence.
Traffic Bureau Officers conduct grant-funded DUI checkpoints, and work with other officers on a variety of traffic safety enforcement efforts, including focused enforcement on seat-belt usage, distracted driving, and pedestrian violations.
The Traffic Bureau also conducts a car seat education and installation program, offered at no cost to the community. If you have a question about the proper installation of a car seat, or would like to set up an appointment for assistance in safely installing a car seat, please email our Traffic Division Coordinator, or call (510) 981-5980.