NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

2.3.1 Direction/Control Procedures
NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Directive 2.3 - Traffic Direction and Control
On occasion, police officers are assigned to carry out specific traffic direction and control
functions where law enforcement and human intervention is required. These occurrences include
crash scenes, fire scenes, non-functioning traffic signals, hazardous weather conditions, or
special events.
A. Upon arriving at a traffic crash scene, the officer will position his/her cruiser in such a
manner as to protect the scene. Officers may utilize traffic cones, flares,
flashlights/traffic wands, and barricades to direct traffic around crash scenes. In the
event of serious traffic crashes, the on duty shift supervisor may authorize the temporary
closure of a roadway to conduct a thorough investigation and to ensure the safety of
emergency personnel and victims.
B. When an officer is engaged in manual traffic direction, he/she will utilize the following
standard signals/gestures:
To stop traffic, an officer extends his/her arm outward with the palm of the hand
towards the car to be stopped
To start the traffic flow, an officer will move his/her arm in a swinging motion, at the
elbow in a manner to indicate that traffic may proceed
To indicate a turn, an officer will extend his/her arm towards the direction in which
the turn is to be made
These signals/gestures should be made by the officer in conjunction with verbal
commands or a whistle.
C. When an officer has been requested or dispatched to the scene of a fire, he/she will
provide perimeter services to allow unrestricted access to the scene by fire emergency
vehicles/personnel. The officer(s) should coordinate with fire personnel to restrict entry by
unauthorized vehicles or pedestrians. An officer may be called upon to close the
roadway, direct traffic, provide crowd control, or assist in the evacuation of person(s) in
the immediate area. The on duty shift supervisor shall respond to the fire scene to ensure
proper deployment of police personnel.
D. During periods of adverse road and weather conditions, an officer should be attentive to
the possible need of calling out salt crews or snow plows. Upon being notified, the on
duty shift supervisor or acting supervisor may authorize the call out of emergency road
crews from the Service Department.
E. Temporary traffic control devices may be used to control traffic during special events or
when the need arises due to an unexpected emergency. Temporary traffic control
devices include temporary road closed signs and barricades. These devices will usually
be installed/removed by the Service Department.
F. Officers are required to wear reflective traffic vests during inclement weather and/or at
night when directing traffic.
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