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Traffic Enforcement Unit

Chief Constable M. B. McLennan officially created the Traffic Enforcement Unit in 1916 with the purchase of three Indian motorcycles. The Traffic Section has used a variety of motorcycles including BMW, Yamaha and Kawasaki but the model most often used by the section has been Harley-Davidson, which was first introduced in 1936.  The Vancouver Police Department currently operates 34 motorcycles all of which are Harley-Davidson Road Kings.

Members who apply for and are accepted to the Unit are required to complete a 4-week training course, which is instructed by a motorcycle trainer in the enforcement unit. The course includes learning to manoeuvre the motorcycle through its entire range, safe riding in traffic and how to properly operate the motorcycle in an enforcement mode. Members who successfully complete the course are then assigned to one of the enforcement teams.

The unit has an authorized strength of 40 constables and four sergeants, divided into four districts in the city. The unit is responsible primarily for traffic related duties in those areas including:

• Criminal Code driving offences
• violations of Provincial Motor Vehicle Act and Regulations
• enforcement of municipal bylaws
• vehicle and pedestrian control
• accident investigations
• VIP escort