The Special Enforcement Division is under the command of Lt. Fred Nelson and consists of the Traffic Unit, Special Operations Unit (including the K-9 officers), and the Animal Control Officer. The Spe

The Special Enforcement Division is under the command of Lt. Fred Nelson and consists of the Traffic Unit, Special Operations Unit (including the K-9 officers), and the Animal Control Officer. The Special Enforcement Division Commander also oversees the administration of extra-duty assignments.Traffic UnitThe Traffic Unit is responsible for the investigation of serious and fatal collisions; developing and implementing enforcement plans in response to complaints; and planning and executing large-scale traffic control for events. In addition, the Traffic Unit maintains technologies used by various elements of the department for traffic enforcement. Collision InvestigationsWhen a motor vehicle collision results in a fatality, the investigation to determine the circumstances leading up to the collision and the mechanics of the collision itself is intensive in terms of manpower and resources. The officers assigned to the Traffic Unit are Collision Reconstructionists.EnforcementPrioritizing enforcement initiatives requires balancing locations identified by collision statistics with those affecting quality of life or presenting a perceived danger. The Traffic Unit conducts “maintenance” enforcement throughout Newark to maintain a presence and encourage vehicle operators to maintain awareness as they drive through town. Typically, this type of enforcement occurs on roadways that experience higher year-to-year collision numbers. In addition, the Traffic Unit endeavors to respond to reported concerns outside of the maintenance areas. The Traffic Unit is also responsible for reviewing and approving red-light citations issued through the Electronic Red Light Safety Program administered by DelDOT. In the past year, 4068 citations were reviewed. 3959 (97.25%) were approved and sent on to violators, while 109 (2.75%) were rejected and resulted in no action. A member of the Traffic Unit attends court one day each month for trials arising from automated red-light citations.Traffic Control & Community OutreachThe Traffic Unit maintains three Harley-Davidson Police motorcycles for enforcement and traffic response activities. Four officers in the Special Enforcement Division have completed intensive training on operating police motorcycles and use them for daily patrol as well as special events. The Traffic Unit participated in planning and implementing high-profile funeral escorts and other escorts for various activities throughout the town. In addition, members of the Traffic Unit typically work a traffic response detail at major events that can have a wide-ranging effect on traffic, such as parades, Newark Fireworks, UD football games, and UD graduation.Special Operations UnitThe Special Operations Unit’s (SOU) primary responsibility is to provide flexibility to impact specific problems as they arise in the community, based upon problem-solving and community policing principles. This is accomplished through variable work hours and unconventional investigation and patrol assignments. SOU is the primary unit tasked with bicycle patrol and it also houses our K9 officers. There are six officers assigned to SOU.K9 OfficersSOU currently has one K9 team assigned to their unit: Cpl. Spencer with K9 Luto. Our K9 unit attends training through the Delaware State Police K9 program.  K9 Luto is a dual purpose police K9 trained in patrol and explosives detection. Our K9 Unit routinely gives K9 demonstrations to local schools and at special events.Animal Control OfficerThe Animal Control Officer (Donna Vickers) is dedicated to protecting and preserving the well-being of animals, both domestic and wild. The Animal Control Officer responds to a variety of animal-related complaints, including: bites, fighting, abuse, neglect, sick, lost, found, aggressive animal behavior, wildlife encounters, trapping, and noise complaints.Wildlife Nuisance Trapping: The Animal Control Officer is State Certified to trap wildlife, and she is available to provide humane wildlife trapping and removal of nuisance animals on a case-by-case basis.Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return: The Animal Control Officer participates in a state-run Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return, which improves the lives of feral cats by reducing aggression, spraying, fighting, roaming, and breeding. Feral cats are not socialized to humans and cannot be adopted into indoor homes. Therefore, TNVR allows them to live out their lives in nature where they already exist.Foot Patrol: The Animal Control Officer conducts foot patrol regularly in City parks and on City trails to help educate the public on animal-related issues and enforce animal ordinances.Events: The Animal Control Officer regularly attends special events throughout the year to inform and educate the public on animal issues. Some of these events are: National Night Out, Kids Safe Camp, Newbark Pawlooza, and rabies clinics.