Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
501 Delano PD Policy Manual
Traffic Collision Reporting
501.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Delano Police Department prepares traffic collision reports in compliance with the California
Highway Patrol Collision Investigation Manual (CIM) and as a public service makes traffic collision
reports available to the community with some exceptions.
501.2 RESPONSIBILITY
The patrol division Commander will ensure the latest copy of the Collision Investigation Manual
is installed on the Tracknet computers for use by all officers. The Patrol division Commander will
also ensure all changes in the state manual are reflected with Tracknet and ensure conformity
with this policy. A hard copy of the Collision Investigation Manual shall be located within the Traffic
Bureau, Officer Report Writing area, and the Watch Commander's office.
501.3 TRAFFIC COLLISION REPORTING
All traffic collision reports taken by members of this department shall be forwarded to their
supervisor for approval and data entry into the Records Management System. Any traffic collision
report that is investigated where there is a citeable primary collision factor (PCF)violation, and
the officer has not attended the basic traffic investigation course, shall be forwarded to the Traffic
Bureau for review. If the traffic bureau concurs with the officer's investigation and PCF, the
reviewing supervisor shall ensure a citation by mail is sent to the violator. The patrol division
Commander will be responsible for monthly and quarterly reports on traffic collision statistics to
be forwarded to the Chief of Police, and/or other persons as required.
501.4 REPORTING SITUATIONS
501.4.1 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS INVOLVING CITY VEHICLES
Traffic collision investigation reports shall be taken when a City-owned vehicle is involved in
a traffic collision upon a roadway or highway wherein any damage or injury results. A general
information report may be taken in lieu of a traffic collision report (CHP 555 form) at the direction
of a supervisor when the collision occurs on private property or does not involve another vehicle.
Whenever there is damage to a City vehicle, a Vehicle Damage Report shall be completed and
forwarded to the appropriate Division Commander.
Photographs of the collision scene and vehicle damage shall be taken at the discretion of the
traffic investigator or any supervisor.
501.4.2 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS WITH POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES
When an employee of this department, either on-duty or off-duty, is involved in a traffic collision
within the jurisdiction of the Delano Police Department resulting in a serious injury or fatality, the
Special Operations Commander or the Watch Commander, may notify the California Highway
Patrol for assistance.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/06, All Rights Reserved. Traffic Collision Reporting - 1
Published with permission by Delano Police Department