Motors/Traffic Unit

Motors/Traffic Unit

The Traffic Unit of the Pampa Police Department, also known as the Motors Unit, was formed in May of 2016 and is under the command of Assistant Chief Kenneth Hopson. The Traffic Unit’s duties include responding to and investigating traffic collisions, traffic law enforcement, and parade and funeral escorts. This unit was created in part to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes through increased enforcement of traffic laws. In addition, the traffic unit reduces the workload of the patrol division by removing some of the focus from traffic collision investigations and traffic enforcement duties, so that they could redirect that focus on criminal patrol and responding to calls for service.

The unit is under the supervision of Sergeant Jon Hammond, and falls under the command of the Chief of Operations.

Unit Commander

Assistant Chief kenneth hopson

Assistant Chief Kenneth Hopson, a life long resident of Pampa, enlisted and served in the United States Air Force after graduating from Pampa High School.  After the Air Force, Hopson began his career in law enforcement as a Deputy for Sedgwick County in Wichita, Kansas.  In 1979, Hopson began working for the Pampa Police Department as a Patrolman.  Since, Hopson has continued serving the department in various ranks including, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and at his current rank of Assistant Chief of Police.  In addition to commanding the Motor/Traffic Unit, Chief Hopson serves the department as the Chief of Operations and is responsible for the Patrol Division, Investigations Division, and Communications Division.  Hopson also serves as the department's Fleet Manager, ensuring that all department vehicles and equipment are operational and mission ready.

Through the past 40+ years, Hopson has served as SWAT Team Commander, Intoxilyzer Operator, TCOLE Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Range Master, Crime Prevention Specialist, Investigator, and as the Program Manager for the Texas Best Practices Recognition program. 

Hopson holds a Master Peace Officer Certificate among many other certifications that he has achieved throughout his career.  In 2020, in recognition of his 42+ years of continuous service to the City of Pampa, the City proudly named the department's newly constructed training facility the "Kenneth Hopson Law Enforcement Training Facility."

When not at work, Hopson enjoys traveling, camping, fishing, and riding 4-wheelers in the mountains with his family.