According to Statista, there are more than 720,000 full-time law enforcement officers working throughout the United States. Within law enforcement agencies, officer duties can vary greatly. Roles may include deputies working for the sheriff’s and marshals’ departments, K-9 officers, investigators, detectives, patrol officers, field training officers, as well as traffic officers who help maintain the safety of our roads.
Defining the Modern Traffic Officer
To define the modern traffic officer, we need to look at the general law enforcement structure, in which the uniformed officer features prominently. Once commonly called a “beat cop”, the uniformed officer of today may be referred to as a patrol officer or police officer. These are the law enforcement professionals who are out there in our communities every day and making a difference. They patrol neighborhoods regularly, respond to emergency calls, and address traffic-related situations as needed.
But what about the modern traffic officer? Whether working in a larger city or small town, this officer plays an integral role in keeping civilians and the roadways safe. One New York state police department defines the duties of a traffic officer as:
- Enforcing traffic laws and parking ordinances within the city while coordinating with the Public Works department to ensure the police fleet is properly maintained
- Working with community organizations and government agencies during special events like parades, marathons, and more
- Overseeing specialty programs that augment police services: Auxiliary Office and Crossing Guard programs
While police departments across the nation may vary in terms of specific duties, the general role of the traffic officer remains similar across regions.
How Are Traffic Cops Trained?
According to American Police Beat, the United States has more than 3,500 operating police academies, however, not all new officers receive their training at these institutions. “According to a recent report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), just under 60,000 recruits received basic training instruction from 681 state and local law enforcement training academies, while there were close to 90,000 total recruits hired during the same year.”
In fact, before police academies were established, nearly all police training happened on the streets. On-the-job training has its merits, but for the high-stress, potentially life-threatening moments a police officer faces, formal training in a safe environment where mistakes are not going to cost lives, is critical.
On average, according to American Police Beat, a core basic training program for new police officers spans about 800 hours. This training includes but is not limited to in-classroom studies, report writing instruction, firearm skills and safety, defensive techniques, ethics, and both stress and on-stress situational training. For traffic cops in speed enforcement specifically, most officers are certified by instructors and operators using the NHTSA curriculum.
Once a recruit completes and satisfactorily passes all the basic training, the officer may then undergo additional instruction for more specialized assignments. Officers training for traffic patrol may learn strategies for working with the local government and civilian agencies in cooperation for special events as well as other task-specific training.
Training for all officers, from traffic cops to detectives, is ongoing throughout their careers. Officers nationwide typically spend another twenty-one hours of in-service training each calendar year updating skills and knowledge.The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that recruits to the police academies nationwide generally need a high school diploma or the equivalent. Qualifications may vary by state, but typically also include a valid driver’s license, a physical fitness report from a doctor, and a clean criminal record. Some academies may require applicants to complete a hearing test and a psychological evaluation.
Are There Enough Recruits to Train?
Reports show that the overall number of active law enforcement officers is on trend to increase by about three percent between the years 2021 and 2031. Even a slight increase is a good thing, but it’s important to note that it is still, on average, a lower growth percentage than typically experienced. It’s essential for police departments to actively recruit from within their communities as well as stay up-to-date with technologies and equipment that help increase the safety of their officers and recruits.
Technology Supports and Protects Officers
As today’s law enforcement agencies work to face new challenges with recruitment, training, and field operations, technology is playing an increasing role in supporting and protecting traffic cops and other law enforcement professionals. Body worn cameras such as Argus Body Worn Cameras from Kustom Signals are particularly effective in providing officers the back-up they need. The advantages these body worn cameras provide include:
- AI-Powered Voice Activation: The camera recognizes common phrases, automatically initiating recording to ensure critical incidents are captured without manual intervention.
- Automatic Event Detection: Utilizing artificial intelligence, the Argus BWC detects events such as running and hard falls, triggering recordings and sending real-time alerts to administrators for prompt situational assessment.
- 4G LTE Connectivity: The device supports 4G LTE for live streaming from the field, providing support staff with immediate visual access to ongoing situations. It also facilitates instant alerts to the back-office system, Argus Data Vault.
- Live-Swappable Battery: With a 12-hour recording capacity, the Argus BWC features a live-swappable battery, allowing continuous recording during battery changes for uninterrupted operation.
- Rugged Design: Built to withstand demanding environments, the camera is IP67 rated for dust and water resistance and complies with MIL-STD-810G for durability.
- Superior Audio Quality: Equipped with four microphones, the Argus BWC delivers high-quality audio, ensuring clear sound recordings.
- Integration with Argus Data Vault: The camera seamlessly integrates with the Argus Data Vault evidence management system, simplifying evidence classification and offering AI-powered features like one-touch redaction.
- Enhanced Officer Safety: By providing real-time alerts and live streaming capabilities, the Argus BWC enhances situational awareness, contributing to improved officer safety.
In addition to a thorough and comprehensive training program, which we offer online training for basic equipment operator training, you can protect and equip your department’s traffic officers with the most advanced body worn camera technology from Kustom Signals. If you’d like to learn more about options for your officers, contact us today for more information about Argus BWC and other essential law enforcement technology.