A Grip on Gripes

Your traffic complaint is Steve Dell’s bread and butter.

Dell makes his living as one of five motorcycle officers in the complaint unit of Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division. When a resident in the northwest Valley get steamed over speeding motorists on his block or argues for a new stop sign, it becomes Dell’s concern.

Dell, 53, starts his day at 6:15 a.m. with partner John Teetor, also 53, --the two officers have worked together off and on for 15 years.

They stake out problem areas and write tickets to commuters who are speeding to work or otherwise violating traffic laws. In some cases, they meet with complainants who have either called the Valley traffic office or written letters to their local council representatives.

“Some people are very unhappy and they (the officers) tryto go see them in person,” said LAPD Sgt. Rod Grahek. “In most cases they succeed and handle the traffic problems.”

AFter 24 years on the bike, Dell said he could have moved to another detail, but chose not to.

“I really enjoy it; I like to be out there on the streets,” he said.

And there are perks to the job. As motorcycle officers, they often work escort detail, guarding dignitaries traveling to and from events in Los Angeles.

Dell said he’s guarded everyone from African royalty to the director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

“I’ve met every president since Richard Nixon,” Dell said.