# Traffic Operational Command Unit > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Traffic_Operational_Command_Unit > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Traffic_Operational_Command_Unit.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_Operational_Command_Unit > Source revision: 1297682212 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Road policing unit in Greater London This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Traffic Operational Command Unit" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (October 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: "Traffic Operational Command Unit" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (October 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message) The **Traffic Operational Command Unit** (OCU), formally known as CO15, was the [Road Policing Unit](/source/Road_Policing_Unit) for the [Metropolitan Police Service](/source/Metropolitan_Police_Service) in [Greater London](/source/Greater_London), England. On 1 December 2014, Traffic OCU was merged with the [Safer Transport Command](/source/Safer_Transport_Command) (STC), to create the new [Roads and Transport Policing Command](/source/Roads_and_Transport_Policing_Command) (RTPC) under the heading of MO8 (Met Operations: Section 8). ## Role, responsibilities and aims Traffic OCU's patrol officers are highly trained advanced (pursuit) drivers, motorcyclists and vehicle examiners. All receive additional training in accident investigation with many being trained to advanced levels in forensic collision reconstruction, vehicle examination, tachograph analysis and hazardous materials enforcement. They have responsibility for the enforcement of road safety legislation, response to major incidents and incidents on [motorways](/source/Motorway) and the strategic road network, the complete investigation of fatal collisions, and the initial investigation of life changing Road Traffic Collisions within the [MPD](/source/Metropolitan_Police_District).[1] Traffic OCU Sergeants (known colloquially as "Garage Sergeants") are also responsible for the investigation of all collisions involving police vehicles. Traffic OCU's stated aims are to: - Deny criminals use of the roads by enforcing the law - Reduce road casualties - Tackle the threat of terrorism - Reduce anti-social use of the roads - Enhance public confidence and reassurance by patrolling the roads - Attend and investigate all fatal collisions In addition to general police duties and patrol, Traffic OCU officers focus particularly on offences related to antisocial and criminal use of vehicles, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, excessive speed, dangerous and careless driving, defective vehicles, commercial vehicles and the transportation of hazardous materials, and disqualified, unlicensed or uninsured drivers. Within Traffic OCU, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), staffed by detectives and expert collision investigators, is responsible for the investigation of all fatal collisions within the [Metropolitan Police District](/source/Metropolitan_Police_District). Whilst work continues[*[when?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*] to reduce the death toll, there are still[*[when?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*] in the region of 130 road traffic collision fatalities on London's roads each year - more than the number of murders.[2][3][*[failed verification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability)*] ## Locations Traffic OCU has four operational bases known as "Traffic Garages". ### East Garage (TDJ) The East Garage is located in Chadwell Heath. The [Metropolitan Police Service](/source/Metropolitan_Police_Service) uses the code of TDJ to identify the location. The premises is shared with the [Territorial Support Group](/source/Territorial_Support_Group) and Dog Support Unit. Officers have the geographic responsibility for the boroughs of the [Tower Hamlets](/source/London_Borough_of_Tower_Hamlets), [Newham](/source/London_Borough_of_Newham), [Barking and Dagenham](/source/London_Borough_of_Barking_and_Dagenham), [Hackney](/source/London_Borough_of_Hackney), [Havering](/source/London_Borough_of_Havering), [Redbridge](/source/London_Borough_of_Redbridge) and [Waltham Forest](/source/London_Borough_of_Waltham_Forest). ### South Garage (TDP) The South Garage is located in [Catford](/source/Catford). The [Metropolitan Police Service](/source/Metropolitan_Police_Service) uses the code of TDP to identify the location. The premises is shared with the [Territorial Support Group](/source/Territorial_Support_Group) and the [Dog Section](/source/Metropolitan_Police_Dog_Support_Unit). Officers have the geographic responsibility for the boroughs of the [Bexley](/source/London_Borough_of_Bexley), [Greenwich](/source/Royal_Borough_of_Greenwich), [Lewisham](/source/London_Borough_of_Lewisham), [Southwark](/source/London_Borough_of_Southwark), London Borough of Lambeth, [Bromley](/source/London_Borough_of_Bromley) and [Croydon](/source/London_Borough_of_Croydon). ### West Garage (TDV) The West area has one garage located on an industrial estate in [Merton](/source/London_Borough_of_Merton) which is shared with the [Dog Section](/source/Metropolitan_Police_Dog_Support_Unit). [Metropolitan Police Service](/source/Metropolitan_Police_Service) uses the code of TDV (for [Merton](/source/London_Borough_of_Merton)). The geographic responsibilities of the garage is the London Boroughs of [Hammersmith and Fulham](/source/London_Borough_of_Hammersmith_and_Fulham), [Wandsworth](/source/London_Borough_of_Wandsworth), [Hounslow](/source/London_Borough_of_Hounslow), [Richmond Upon Thames](/source/London_Borough_of_Richmond_Upon_Thames), [Kingston upon Thames](/source/Royal_Borough_of_Kingston_upon_Thames), [Merton](/source/London_Borough_of_Merton), [Sutton](/source/London_Borough_of_Sutton) and [Westminster](/source/City_of_Westminster). ### North Garage (TDQ) The North Garage is located on an industrial estate in [Alperton](/source/Alperton) and the [Metropolitan Police Service](/source/Metropolitan_Police_Service) uses the code TDQ to identify the location. The premises is a shared base. The geographic responsibilities of the officers from this garage are the London Boroughs of [Barnet](/source/London_Borough_of_Barnet), [Brent](/source/London_Borough_of_Brent), [Camden](/source/London_Borough_of_Camden), [Ealing](/source/London_Borough_of_Ealing), [Enfield](/source/London_Borough_of_Enfield), [Haringey](/source/London_Borough_of_Haringey), [Harrow](/source/London_Borough_of_Harrow), [Hillingdon](/source/London_Borough_of_Hillingdon) and [Islington](/source/London_Borough_of_Islington). ### Former garages Northolt (TDX), Barnes (TDB), Bermondsey (TDM), Bow (TDH), Croydon (TDZ), Euston (Firstly TDE, then TDC), Finchley (TDS), Eltham (TDR), Leyton-Rigg Approach (TDJ), Chadwell Heath (TDK), St Ann's Road (TDY), Hampton (TDT) ## Staffing Traffic Operational Command Unit had 622 Police Officers of which 523 are based at the four traffic bases across London with the remainder at Headquarters and other smaller specialist units and over 130 civilian Police Support Staff employed within the department along with a small number of [Special Constables](/source/Special_Constables). The Police Officers and Special Constables from the command could be easily recognized by their [shoulder numbers](/source/Collar_number) beginning with the letter 'T', with qualified traffic officers bearing white covers worn over their uniform caps. - 139 were based at the North East Traffic Base (Chadwell Heath) - 125 were based at the South East London Traffic Base (Catford) - 117 were based at the North West London Traffic Base (Alperton) - 142 were based at the South West London Traffic Base (Merton) ## Equipment and vehicles Traffic OCU officers patrol both in cars and on motorcycles. Cars used are the [BMW 5 Series](/source/BMW_5_Series) 530d X-Drive tourer, [Volvo V90](/source/Volvo_V90), [BMW X3](/source/BMW_X3) 4x4 and [Skoda Superb](/source/Skoda_Superb) estates. The command has previously used [BMW X5](/source/BMW_X5) 4x4, [Mitsubishi Shogun](/source/Mitsubishi_Shogun) 4x4 and [Ford Mondeo](/source/Ford_Mondeo) Estate. Each vehicle is fitted with a mobile data terminal with access to the [Police National Computer](/source/Police_National_Computer), [Automatic Number Plate Recognition](/source/Automatic_Number_Plate_Recognition) and video systems. The current solo motorcycle used is the [BMW 1200RT-P](/source/R1200RT#Special_models) although some older 1150cc and 650cc models remain. The command also utilises some [BMW 750GS](https://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/models/adventure/f750gs.html). Although motorcycles carry less equipment than cars, they are far more agile through traffic congestion and are essential for escorting convoys, processions and demonstrations. ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-TrafficAims_1-0)** ["CO15 Traffic"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120121085415/http://www.met.police.uk/traffic/aims.htm). Metropolitan Police Service. Archived from [the original](http://www.met.police.uk/traffic/aims.htm) on 21 January 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2010. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Media"](http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/metro/19987.aspx). *Transport for London*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Crime Figures"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170401232354/http://www.met.police.uk/crimefigures/). *Metropolitan Police Service*. Archived from [the original](http://www.met.police.uk/crimefigures/) on 1 April 2017. ## External links - [Official website](http://content.met.police.uk/Site/traffic) - [Roads & Transport Policing Command official website](http://content.met.police.uk/Site/roadsandtransport) v t e Metropolitan Police History Bow Street Runners Thames River Police Governance Commissioner (Sir Mark Rowley) Deputy Commissioner (Matt Jukes) Assistant Commissioners Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime Mayor of London (Sadiq Khan) Deputy Mayor of London for Policing and Crime (Kaya Comer-Schwartz) Organisation and structure Met Operations Dog Support Unit Marine Policing Unit Mounted Branch Specialist Firearms Command Roads & Transport Policing Command Territorial Support Group Specialist, Organised & Economic Crime Command Contact Centre Human Exploitation and Organised Crime Command Operation Trident Specialist Operations Counter Terrorism Command Protection & Security Command Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Royalty and Specialist Protection Aviation Policing Frontline Policing Homicide and Major Crime Command Royal Parks Operational Command Unit Violence Suppression Unit Buildings Empress State Building Marlowe House New Scotland Yard Stations (notable) Current Charing Cross Hammersmith Lewisham Former Arbour Square Canon Row Paddington Green West End Central Training Hendon Police College Metropolitan Police Specialist Training Centre Other Metropolitan Police District Metropolitan Police F.C. Metropolitan Special Constabulary Scotland Yard The Job --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Traffic Operational Command Unit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_Operational_Command_Unit) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_Operational_Command_Unit?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.