Buffalo, NY (WBEN) In a move he can make twice a year, Buffalo's top cop has eliminated the Buffalo Police Department's Traffic Division. The 41 affected officers will be reassigned.
Capt. Jeff Rinaldo says this move was prompted by COVID19's cancellation of events. "There were no sporting events, special events, none of the things the traffic division normally handles for the department," says Rinaldo. "Due to COVID and increased expenses, the commissioner has chosen to eliminate the traffic division to help reduce overtime costs and increase manpower in the five districts." The officers will be reassigned to the five patrol districts based on seniority.
Rinaldo notes the commissioner's decision was difficult. "The traffic unit has always done an amazing job for the department. They are the ones on the front lines of those services and they've done a phenomenal job for us," says Rinaldo. "However, with everything everyone's been through with COVID and realigning budgets and manpower, the decision was made to remove those resources from traffic and reassign them into the patrol districts. They can help with traffic enforcement."
Rinaldo says early projections could lead to savings of $1 million.
The move takes effect January 18th, but Rinaldo notes if events come back, the need to re-establish the traffic division will be re-evaluated.
