13.9 Department Vehicle Crash Investigation

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 Page 1 of 4 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

Page 3 of 4 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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