BATTLE CREEK, Mich. -- For the first time in 15 years, the Battle Creek Police Department has a designated Traffic Enforcement Unit. In 2000 the force did away with the unit, choosing instead to put more officers on crime and gang activity.
But according to BCPD Officer Scott Cipcic, the unit is now back and on a six -month trial with three officers.
"Before the traffic unit was in place, basically the officer is a 911 call taker," said Cipcic. "And when they're running call to call, we don't have time to enforce traffic. You might not be able to stop a speeding vehicle. (But now), every time we have a citizen contact, whether we issue a warning or a citation, we are documenting it."
"The administration in the late summer will evaluate the amount of contacts that we made with the general public," Cipcic said, and then it will be decided whether to keep the enforcement unit or eliminate the unit.
Officer Cipcic added that the new unit's primary focus will be drivers speeding, running red lights, texting-and-driving, and speeding in school zones.
