As part of Patrol Operations, the Traffic Bureau enforces all traffic laws and City ordinances. The Traffic Bureau’s primary objectives are to reduce traffic crashes and make the Evanston community a safer place for motor vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians to navigate.

Traffic Bureau Receives Award

The Traffic Bureau enjoys strong support from the Chief of Police , who recognizes the value of a unit dedicated to full-time traffic safety. Evanston Police Department's Traffic Bureau received National & State Awards for Traffic Safety and Enforcement Initiatives.

Bureau Overview

The Traffic Bureau has six Officers supervised by one Sergeant.  The Officer’s primary duties are conducted through the use of covert police vehicle and marked police motorcycles. 

Training:

Many of the traffic officers have had additional training and are certified in:

• Crash Reconstruction: The Traffic Bureau has members that are trained crash reconstructionists.  They specialize in the analyzing/interpreting information collected at the earliest stages of a major crash investigation in order to describe in as much detail as possible both the actual impact and the events leading up to it.  To become a crash reconstruction specialist members have to go through extensive training at Northwestern University Center of Public Safety in physics, mathematics, and crash investigation.
• Crash Data Retrieval: Certified in the utilization of the crash data retrieval system to allow specialists to copy and analyze data from an event data recorder located inside a vehicle.  This data is retrieved through the use of the vehicle’s on-board diagnostic data-link connector. The data can assist in developing a situationally complete crash reconstruction.
• Drug Recognition: Additional training in the recognition of subjects impaired on intoxicating compounds other than alcohol.
• Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety: Certified in the enforcement of the state adopted Federal Motor Carrier Regulation and the inspection of commercial vehicles for safety and weight violations.