History

The Gilbert Police Department Traffic Unit was created in 1996. We currently have a day and night time DUI team totaling 10 motorcycle officers, three collision investigators, two sergeants and a lieutenant. The unit’s primary focus is to reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities on Gilbert roadways through selective and DUI enforcement.

Equipment

The Traffic Unit utilizes the BMW RT1200 and BMW RT1250's. The motorcycles are equipped with handheld Lidar and mounted moving radar devices. The use of unmarked patrol vehicles is also utilized by the Night Traffic Team to enforce traffic laws, to include the enforcement of impaired driving laws.

Through grants, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has provided the Traffic Unit with a DUI enforcement van, unmarked enforcement vehicles, and funding to combat aggressive driving, DUI enforcement and funds to certify officers in phlebotomy for DUI processing.

Training

Motor officers are trained in-house through an AZPOST certified motor officer training program. The training consists of a two week slow cone and braking maneuvers course, one week of road riding and two weeks of field training with another certified motorcycle officer. Most motorcycle officers have several years experience before being able to be considered for selection into the traffic unit and must show proficiency in traffic laws, collision investigation and DUI enforcement before applying.

• Drug Recognition Expert - additional training for dealing with persons impaired by drugs or alcohol.
• Phlebotomy - training with taking blood samples for DUI evidence and DNA testing. 
• Commercial Vehicle Safety Specialist - enforcement of the state adopted Federal Motor Carrier Regulation; inspections of commercial vehicles for safety and weight violations. 

Collision Reconstruction

The Gilbert Police Department Collision Reconstruction Team is designed to investigate and determine what occurred during a collision sequence, in fatal and serious collisions. The team consists of three reconstructionists and uses GPS based surveying equipment in evidence collection and scene diagramming. The reconstructionists have hundreds of hours of training relating to physics, mathematics and collision investigation.