Our History and Progression :

The Olathe Police Department Traffic Unit is part of the Department's Support Services division. Now retired Sergeant Greg Scott formed the Traffic Unit in 1997. He designed a Traffic Unit that initiated a joint effort between the City of Olathe and the Kansas Department of Transportation that awarded the City of Olathe a grant, of 1.3 million dollars for officers and equipment over a three year period.

The unit was formed to handle the ever growing Traffic Safety needs of Olathe. The original unit operated with eight officers and a supervisor. Five police motorcycles and five patrol cars were purchased to start the unit. In the year of 2000 the Traffic Unit moved from the main station at 501 E Old 56 Hwy. to a newly built facility at 24200 W. College Blvd.  In June of 2010,  the Traffic Unit, now budgeted for 2 supervisors, 5 enforcement motorcycles, 2 DUI cars, 7 accident investigation cars (which includes 2 full time commercial truck inspectors) and a civilian parking enforcement officer,  moved back to the newly constructed Olathe Police Department campus on 56 hwy.  Currently, child seat installations (see details further below) are still handled at the College boulevard location. 

Since its start the Olathe Police Traffic Unit has come to be known as one of the premiere Police Traffic Units in the Kansas City area.  Every Traffic Officer in the unit is required to attend Advanced Accident Investigation School, Forensic Mapping School, and a Child Safety Seat Technician course. All Traffic Officers are certified in the use of Doppler radar and Lidar systems. The unit maintains two certified Accident Reconstructionists.  In addition to the day to day duties, the Traffic Unit participates in over 30 special events every year.

Motorcycle Officers:

In addition to day to day Traffic Officer duties, the motorcycles are used in many other capacities. Because of their size and mobility, Motorcycle Officers are able to respond to emergency situations in heavy traffic much quicker then patrol cars can.

All Motorcycle Officers are required to pass a strenuous two week police motorcycle certification course and a one week Field Training program before being allowed to conduct enforcement on their own.  Olathe also has a certified Police Motorcycle Instructor, Officer Matt Misemer, as a member of the motor unit.

Full Time Commercial Vehicle Inspectors: Officer Craig Lundgren & Officer Jason Livengood are assigned full time to our Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit. They enforce all local, State, and Federal laws that pertain to commercial vehicles. This also includes commercial vehicles originating in Mexico and Canada operating within the United States. They are both Level 1 D.O.T. inspectors certified under the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.  They are supported by additional part time inspectors.  Their numbers are listed in the box to the right. Frequently asked questions regarding commercial motor vehicles is available by clicking on this link:                          Commercial Vehicle FAQ

Child Seat Inspections and Installations:  The OPD Traffic unit provides citizens with instructional assistance in the installation of child car seats purchased by the user.  This involves moderate physical activity by the citizen.  Please be prepared for this or bring someone else to participate with you in this educational program.  This web link; http://www.safercar.gov/parents/InstructionalVideos.htm will  provide you with an educational tool to learn about your car seat.  Since our program is an instructional meeting, we urge you to familiarize yourself with the appropriate video prior to your arrival.  There are no appointments to be made for child seat installations.  It is first come, first served method with installation dates that occur four times a month.  On the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month,  the installations are done between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM.  On the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, the installations are done between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM.   These are the only dates and times that this service is provided and they are done at the old Traffic Unit substation at 24200 W College Blvd.   Please note that emergencies that are beyond the control of the Police Department can force a cancellation of any individual date, and such cancellations may not involve advance notice.   Please note that if a Thursday falls on a City Observed Holiday,  the OPD Traffic Unit will not be conducting child seat inspections or installations on that day.  Our schedule will resume with the next scheduled day according to the schedule above.