Anthony A. Williams joined Chief of Police Charles H. Ramse y today in introducing the newest members of the Metropolitan Police Department: 21 civilian traffic control aides who are hitting the streets to help improve traffic flow and safety in the District.

The 21 new employees - decked out in their new uniforms of white hats, yellow visibility vests, white shirts and blue pants - received graduation certificates and their new assignments Wednesday during ceremonies at Regional Operations Command-Central , 501 New York Avenue, NW. The traffic control aides are being deployed to critical, high-volume intersections located throughout the District, with an emphasis on traffic flow during the morning and evening rush hours.

Mayor Williams stated, "These traffic aides will become the face of good government helping make rush hour smoother while ensuring the public safety as motorists navigate our streets."

Chief Ramsey said many of the intersections that will be staffed by the traffic control aides are currently handled by uniformed police officers. The civilian aides will be posted at these intersections alongside the officers for a brief period of hands-on training. After that, the officers will be returned to other field assignments.

"The addition of civilian traffic control aides will allow our Department to do a better job of managing traffic, while maximizing the use of our sworn police officers," Ramsey said. "In addition to managing traffic flow, our traffic control aides will serve as another, highly visible source of information for visitors and other people in our Nation's Capital."