13.9 Department Vehicle Crash Investigation

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Centreville Police Department
Title: Department Vehicle Crash Investigation Section: 13.9
Issued: 10.1.2016 Revised: 7.12.2018 / Rev. #1
Approved by: Kenneth N. Rhodes
Chief of Police
A. Definitions
In every crash case involving a Department vehicle, the definitions dealing with motor vehicle crash as
outlined in the National Safety Council Manual on Classification of Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents will apply.
B. Scope
1. The procedures and reports specified in this Directive will apply in the following cases, when:
a. The crash involves injury or death to either Department personnel or others, or
b. The crash involves any damage to property other than a Department vehicle, or physically involves
another person or a non-department vehicle, or
c. The crash involves damage to a Department vehicle, except when the damage is exclusively confined
to the windshield or other glass and is caused by an object falling from or set in motion by another
vehicle.
2. The procedures and reports specified in Directive # 22.8, dealing with loss or damage to equipment will
apply in all other cases.
3. The procedures dealing with loss or damage to equipment will also apply if:
a. The crash involves an animal being struck in the roadway when no other property is involved and no
one is injured.
b. The crash involves a Department vehicle that is parked and there are no injuries involved.
C. Notification of Involvement
1. Accidents involving Department vehicles will be reported immediately to the patrol supervisor and
Lieutenant, who will notify the Chief of Police.
2. Any crash occurring outside of the Centreville town limits will be reported to the agency with primary
jurisdiction where the accident took place, or the nearest Maryland State Police installation. The
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personnel operating or assigned the vehicle involved in the crash, will then immediately notify the
Lieutenant.
D. Responsibilities Upon Notification
1. Initial Investigation
a. Crashes occurring in Centreville will be investigated by the Patrol Supervisor or senior patrol officer
on-duty. The investigation will be conducted by a police employee senior in rank to the employee
involved, except when the senior officer on-duty believes it to be impracticable.
E. Conduct of Investigations
The police employee assigned an initial or supplemental investigation of a Department crash, shall conduct a
thorough and accurate investigation. The investigator will be responsible for assuring completion of all
required reports, the gathering and preservation of any physical evidence pertaining to the crash, and all
other relevant information which may have a bearing on the case.
F. Required Reports
1. Automated Crash Report
a. An ACRS Report is required for all crashes falling within the scope of this Directive.
b. The Lieutenant shall conduct follow-up investigation of a Department vehicle crash occurring outside
Centreville and will obtain a copy of the Motor Vehicle Crash Report completed by the Department
conducting the initial investigation.
(1) When possible, the involved employee should obtain the name of the investigating officer and the
crash report number. This information will be given to the Lieutenant.
c. Upon obtaining or completing crash report forms the original in the case of an crash initially
investigated by the Department, will be immediately forwarded to the records clerk for disposition.
d. Copies sufficient to satisfy administrative reporting needs and local crash files, when applicable,
should be retained by the investigator.
2. Crash Diagrams
a. A supplemental detailed crash diagram will be required in those cases where a Department vehicle
crash is initially investigated by the Department and the crash involves either, death, injury, or
unusual circumstances. This does not preclude the preparation of such a diagram in other instances
when, in the opinion of the investigator, its preparation will be beneficial.
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3. Photographs
a. The requirements for crash photographs will be the same as provided above for supplemental crash
diagrams.
4. Driver and Witness Statements
a. Whenever feasible, a Driver and Witness Statement, will be utilized by investigators obtaining
statements from the drivers of other vehicles involved in a Department vehicle crash and from any
other witnesses. .
5. Employee’s Report
a. An employee involved in a Department vehicle crash will be required to submit a written detailed
report to his supervisor describing the incident.
6. Investigator's Report
a. The investigator of a Department vehicle crash will submit a written detailed report at the conclusion
of his investigation.
H. Determination of Preventability
1 Responsibility
a. In order to prevent crashes involving Department vehicles and to form a basis for any disciplinary
action, it will be the responsibility of the involved employee's supervisor to make appropriate
recommendations as to crash preventability.
2. Guidelines
a. A preventable crash is any crash in which the driver failed to do everything he might have done to
avoid it.
I. Disposition and Repair of Department Vehicles
1. Disposition of Inoperative Vehicle
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a. When a Department vehicle is rendered inoperative as a result of a crash, the patrol supervisor in the
area of occurrence will be responsible for ensuring that the tow service transports the vehicle to the
Centreville Department of Public Works garage, unless other arrangements are made by the Chief of
Police.
2. Vehicle Equipment
a. The involved employee has primary responsibility for the security of Department equipment carried in
the vehicle. When the involved employee is unable to make proper disposition of such equipment,
the investigating officer will be responsible for the proper disposition of such equipment.
3. Repairs
a. The Chief of Police, or his designee will be responsible for all arrangements involved in the repair of
Department vehicles, consistent with established Town policies and procedures.
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