Special Operations

Diverse in its mixture of personnel and responsibilities, the Special Operations Bureau consists of both sworn and non-sworn employees who provide valuable services to citizens and co-workers. Special Operations is responsible for the following areas:

Traffic Enforcement

Traffic/Motor Unit/DUI Unit

The Tallahassee Police Special Operations Bureau boasts an award-winning Traffic Enforcement Unit. This select group of highly trained individuals leads the agency in traffic enforcement initiatives, including DUI arrests and has been recognized both regionally and nationally for their efforts.

Enforcement and education are the guiding principles of the Traffic Enforcement Unit which is staffed by one Sergeant and twelve officers.

• Nine motorcycle officers are responsible for enforcing traffic law violations at high volume traffic crash locations and in school zones. Daily, they respond to traffic complaint locations throughout the city, many of which have been identified by citizens.
• Two Hit and Run Investigators conduct follow-up investigations of all hit and run traffic crashes reported.
• Two officers are assigned to DUI Enforcement and primarily works night time hours to combat the effects of impaired driving.
• The DUI and Traffic Safety Program Coordinator is an officer who manages all of the police department's FDOT traffic safety grants, inspects and coordinates the certifications of all speed measurement devices used by the department, inspects each of the breath testing instruments on a monthly basis, and deploys safety messaging/speed display signs.

The Traffic Unit also provides support for special events throughout the year (i.e. parades, football games, holiday events, etc.).

The Traffic Unit is deeply involved in community relations. The unit co-hosts the annual Capital City Challenge, a motorcycle rodeo designed to display the competitive riding skills of motor officers. All proceeds from this event benefit the Special Olympics. They also coordinate the Battle of the Belts Program. In this annual event, we will recognize two local high schools. One award will recognize the school with the highest usage rate. The second award goes to the school with the highest increase in seat belt usage.

S.P.E.E.D. Program

Tallahassee Police Department’s Traffic Unit officers provide an engaging classroom setting for this program. S.P.E.E.D. (Supportive Parents and Police Educating Early Drivers) is a four-hour interactive, learning experience offered to teens ages 15-20 and their parents/guardians. It focuses on the importance of seatbelt usage and safe driving behaviors. S.P.E.E.D. includes a practical learning environment with videos, interactive activities and a question/answer session. This course satisfies the traffic court defensive driving school requirement for a first time traffic violation. Classes are offered monthly. Please call the TPD Traffic Unit for more details at 850-891-4665.

Traffic Homicide Investigations

Each Traffic Unit member is also specially trained in traffic crash investigations. These investigators have over 160 hours of specialized training in traffic crash investigation and traffic crash reconstruction. These investigators are on call 24 hours a day and investigate all fatal traffic crashes as well as crashes involving serious injury.

Special Events Planning

Tallahassee is a bustling City, and with that comes a variety of special events that require coordination and support from the Tallahassee Police Department. TPD’s Special Events Unit is responsible for security and traffic control planning and staffing at major community events, including Springtime Tallahassee, Florida A & M University and Florida State University football games, Winter Festival and all dignitary visits to the city.

Parking Enforcement

Parking Enforcement Technicians are responsible for enforcing the parking codes in the downtown, Capitol Complex, university areas, and some residential communities. Not only do they issue parking citations, they also tow abandoned vehicles and those which have a substantial amount of unpaid parking fees. This group of civilian employees is also trained in traffic direction and assist with various special events and, as needed, at school crossings. The Sergeant oversees the duties and responsibilities of the agency’s five Parking Enforcement Technicians.

Downtown Officer

The Downtown Officer works mostly independently in the downtown area of the city, and responds to the diverse needs of the city employees, the community residents, and related organizations. The Downtown Officer must address a variety of tasks through the utilization of problem solving techniques and project management skills on a daily basis. The Downtown Officer is highly engaged in the special event activities that occur in our city.

Child Passenger Safety Seat Inspections

Quality of life has always been and continues to be an important aspect of the Tallahassee Police Department. However, many parents/caregivers may be unaware that improper car seat installation can put their children in danger. For these reasons, the Tallahassee Police Department offers a Child Passenger Safety Program. Each Wednesday morning, certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians assist and educate parents/caregivers. Appointment times are from 9am – 11am each Wednesday. There is limited number of appointments available each Wednesday, so please be sure to call in advance. To schedule an appointment, please call 850-891-4261. The TPD Special Operation Bureau also conducts large-scale child safety seat checkpoints at various locations throughout the year.

For additional information regarding this program please contact the TPD Special Operations Bureau at 850-891-4261.

Reserve Units

The Reserves Unit is composed of approximately 10 fully sworn officers who supplement day-to-day uniformed officer duties, staff key in-house positions, and provide additional staffing for special events.

School Grossing Guard Program

The School Crossing Guard program has been in existence since 1971 at the Tallahassee Police Department. Currently, forty-two uniformed civilians, mostly retired seniors, staff the crossings for 16 public elementary and middle schools within the city limits. Each crossing guard is certified by Florida's Department of Transportation and receives training annually as defined by Florida statute.

The School Crossing Guard program is an asset to the department in that it alleviates sworn officers from having to staff 42 crossings daily. If you have questions on becoming a SCG, contact the Special Operations Bureau at 850-891-4261. If you would like to apply to become a school crossing guard, please use the standard employment application.

Airport Security

Responsible for providing law enforcement service to the Tallahassee International Airport complex is the Airport Police. The unit consists of a Sergeant and 10 officers who provide constant coverage helping ensure safe and secure air travel to the public.

The main duties are the enforcement of local, state, federal laws, as well as the new Federal Transportation Security Administration rules and regulations. Because of new security procedures the time it takes to receive your boarding pass and get to the boarding gate has increased significantly. The flying public is urged to arrive two hours before their scheduled departure time to insure they have plenty of time before their flight departs.

Many of the security procedures have changed so passengers should contact the airline they are flying to make sure what they can and cannot carry on board an aircraft.

Honor Guard Unit

This unit consist of 20 highly motivated volunteer members that maintain an exceptionally high standard of appearance and conduct. The unit primary role is to performs ceremonial details ranging from line of duty deaths to posting or carrying the colors in organized parade functions.

Towing