Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 08/11/2015 08/16/2022 08/16/2026
BUENA PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
______________________________________
CP502 - Traffic Collision Response Procedures 1 CP502 TRAFFIC COLLISION RESPONSE PROCEDURES
CP502 .1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This procedure establishes guidelines for responding to traffic collisions within the City of Buena
Park. Technical instructions on the completion of forms and content of reports should be derived
from the latest edition of the California Highway Patrol’s Collision Investigation Manual (CIM). A
copy of the CIM should be kept in the report writing area at all times.
CP502 .1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This procedure pertains to the following CALEA standards: 61.2. 2
This procedure pertains to the following General Orders: § 412, § 502
CP502 .2 TRAFFIC COLLISION RESPONSE
There are several tasks to be comp leted when responding to a traffic collision. Below are
guidelines on responding to traffic collisions. These guidelines are not necessarily listed in order
of importance , and responding officers can make decisions regarding these guidelines based on
the e ver-changing circumstances presented by traffic collisions.
a) Scene Safety : When dispatched to a traffic collision , the first officer on scene should make
the scene safe by safely diverting traffic around the collision. If needed, the first officer on
scene should request additional officers, if not already dispatched, and direct them to
locations to appropriately divert traffic and protect the collision scene .
b) Identify Injured Parties : When the scene is safe, officers should next check on the
involved parties for injuries. If injuries are found, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
should be notified .
c) Identify Fire Hazards/Hazardous Materials : Traffic collisions often result in various
vehicle fluids being spilled onto the ground. These fluids can often represent a fire hazard
and/or cause a hazardous materials situation. Officers should survey each scene and act
accordingly. Officers should in sure that responding tow companies, public works , and/or
the OCFA attempt to clean up the fluids and debris in the street , as these could potentially
cause a future accident .
d) Disturbances b etween Involved Parties : Traffic collisions often involve heated
confrontations between the involved parties. It is often best to separate the two parties
and handle the situation as you would handle any other disturbance. Remember , however,
that this is not usually a criminal contact , and tempers flare due to the circums tances
surrounding the collision .
e) Towing of Veh icles: Vehicles involved in traffic collisions that are unable to be moved
out of the roadway , or the driver is transported to the hospital , should be stored at the
owner’s request as soon as possible. The soo ner the involved vehicles can be moved out
of the roadway, the sooner officers can get out of the roadway and traffic can continue
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 08/11/2015 08/16/2022 08/16/2026
BUENA PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
______________________________________
CP502 - Traffic Collision Response Procedures 2 moving safely. If the investigating officer tows a vehicle as evidence, p roperty in the vehicle
should be documented in accor dance with the CHP 180 Vehicle Report .
f) Officer in Charge : The first officer on scene at a traffic collision is in charge of the scene.
When the handling officer (officer dispatched to handle the report) arrives, that officer
should assume control of the in cident unless relieved by a supervisor or motorcycle traffic
officer .
g) Interviews : The handling officer should interview all involved parties and potential
witnesses, as well as collect any physical evidence, necessary to properly document and
complete a tr affic collision investigation.