63A - Traffic Direction and Control - 2019

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Policy & Procedure Page 1 of 10 Lexington Police Department Subject: Traffic Direction and Control Policy Number: 63A Accreditation Standards: Reference: 61.3.2 Effective Date: 9/1/11  New  Revised Revision Dates: 1/24/19 By Order of: Mark J. Corr, Chief of Police The Municipal Police Institute, Inc. (MPI) is a private, nonprofit charitable affiliate of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association. MPI provides training and model policies and procedures for police agencies. This policy is an edited version of an MPI Policy. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES Traffic direction and control, in broad terms, includes all functions, procedures, apparatus, and markings designed to promote and insure the safe and efficient movement of vehicles and pedestrians. The requirement for traffic direction and control exists at almost all locations within the traffic network, at varying times and under many different circumstances. At major intersections, the need for traffic direction and control is essentially continuous. At other locations, the need for traffic direction and control is temporary and predictable. Events such as parades or major road construction projects are examples of temporary and predictable traffic interruptions. The most difficult situation arises when traffic direction and control is needed as a result of unanticipated circumstances or events. Traffic accidents, fires, and adverse weather conditions require the Commanding Officer to take impromptu measures to provide adequate traffic direction and control. Traffic direction and control is an important function of the Lexington Police Department; and many traffic related responsibilities are shared with other agencies. The traffic engineering authorities and officials of various other agencies/organizations must design a safe and efficient traffic network, complete with traffic control devices, signs and markings. Fire and Public Works Departments often provide valuable services when planning for special events or controlling unpredictable traffic or road conditions. School communities share information concerning their students’ walking, bus, and vehicular drop-off routes and volume. This Department will carry out its responsibilities for traffic direction and control in concert with other authorities. The Department will provide appropriate personnel and other resources, in numbers and kinds adequate to deal with reasonable expectations concerning the need for traffic direction and control services.