Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTITLE ACCREDITATION
Traffic Fatality Procedures CALEA Chapter 61.2
PRIOR REVISIONS:
PROPONENT UNIT
07/22/2020, 04/30/2021
Operations Bureau- Traffic Unit
ATTACHMENT: 0
NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES
61.8 07/01/98 08/22/2024 3
I. PURPOSE: This Order establishes procedures for the investigation of traffic fatalities.
II. POLICY: The Gainesville Police Department shall thoroughly investigate traffic fatalities
and, when feasible, assign a Traffic Homicide Investigator to the investigation. [CALEA
61.2.1]
III. DEFINITION:
Traffic Homicide Investigator (THI): A Department member who is trained to
investigate traffic crashes involving a fatality, life-threatening injuries, or serious bodily
injury.
Training: Members assigned as a THI shall successfully complete an 80-hour approved
Traffic Homicide Investigator course and be approved by the Traffic Unit Commander
before performing as a Department THI.
IV. PROCEDURE:
A. Officer: The officer initially assigned a traffic crash involving a fatality or life-
threatening injuries shall: [CALEA 61.2.1 & 61.2.2.g]
1. Request emergency medical personnel for treatment and/or to verify
death; [CALEA 61.2.2.b]
2. Request sufficient back up to control the scene, including eliminating
immediately hazardous materials or extinguishing fires, and aiding with
traffic control; [CALEA 61.2.2.c]
3. Document the name of medical personnel on scene and interview them
regarding the position of the bodies (if the victims or their belongings were
moved); [CALEA 61.2.2.f]
4. Notify a patrol supervisor, if one has not been dispatched;
5. Secure the scene until the arrival of a THI; [CALEA 61.2.2.e]
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and encourage them to remain on scene until the arrival of the THI;
[CALEA 61.2.2.d]
7. Complete a Florida Traffic Crash Report;
8. Confer with the assigned THI before submitting the Florida Traffic Crash
Report.
9. Prior incidents that led to the traffic crash will be documented in a
separate CR# that will be noted in the crash report, ie.. a traffic stop
leads to a traffic crash. A supplement will also be added to each case
report to show the cases are connected.
10. All reports need to be reviewed by a THI before submission.
11. If a signal box, street sign, or other traffic control device is damaged, the
supervisor will notify City’s Department of Transportation & Mobility -
Traffic Signal Division via teletype.
B. Communications: Communications shall notify a patrol supervisor of a traffic
crash involving life-threatening injuries or a traffic fatality.
C. Supervisor: A patrol supervisor shall respond to and evaluate the scene. The
supervisor shall determine if a “THI” investigation will occur. If the supervisor
determines a “THI” investigation is necessary they shall request a THI, and
ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted. If a death is verified or thought
possible, a supervisor/designee shall notify the: [CALEA 61.2.2.a]
1. Affected District Commander,
2. Public Information Officer,
3. Traffic Unit Commander,
4. City of Gainesville’s Traffic Operations Manager.
5. Shift Commander or designee at a sudden traffic death crash scene shall
request Alachua County Crisis Center (ACCC) Care Team to respond and
assist the with death notification of the family members.
i. Ensure the next-of-kin is notified.
ii. Supervisor will email the victim advocate DG_GPD victim advocate
group when a death occurs with contact information for the next-of-
kin so they can follow-up during regular hours.
D. Traffic Homicide Investigator: The responsibilities of the THI include, but are
not limited to: [CALEA 61.2.1]
1. Respond to the traffic crash scene;
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3. Ensure the scene is processed;
4. Notify the Medical Examiner if the victim is still on scene
5. Reconstruct the crash;
6. Inform the shift commander of important facts regarding the incident prior
to leaving work;
7. Notify the DHSMV within 24 hours of the driver identity conformation;
8. Conduct a follow-up investigation, if necessary;
9. Coordinate the investigation with outside agencies if necessary;
10. Coordinate the release of involved vehicles and personal property;
11. Complete and submit a Department Traffic Homicide Report and all
applicable paperwork for the incident;
12. Review the findings with the Traffic Unit Commander prior to submitting
the Department Traffic Homicide Report, making charges, or issuing
citations.
13. Complete an incident report (face Sheet) using the traffic crash case
report number for NIBRS submission if charging vehicular homicide or
DUI manslaughter.
14. Submit the case to the State Attorney’s Office, if a fatality involving
criminal charges occurs;
15. Obtain the necessary State Attorney’s release;
16. Complete a DHSMV Traffic Crash update.
E. No Fatalities: If no one dies, the THI may return the responsibility for issuing any
applicable citations to the originally assigned Department member. The THI shall
notify the originally assigned member.
F. Criminal Investigations Bureau: The THI may request assistance from the
Investigations Bureau.
G. THI Unavailable: If a THI is unavailable, after conferring with the Traffic Unit
Commander, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) should be requested to respond and
investigate the incident. If neither a THI nor FHP can respond, the original officer
shall be responsible for the investigation. The Traffic Unit Commander can re-
assign another member to investigate the crash or assist the primary officer in
the investigation.
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Scope: Sworn and PSTs\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nBy Order of
Signed Original on File in the
Accreditation Unit
Nelson Moya
Interim Chief of Police
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Scope: Sworn and PSTs