Policy Text
Procedure
501Garden Grove Police Department
Procedures Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/08/26, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentTraffic Collision Procedures - 1Traffic Collision Procedures
501.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
These procedures will establish guidelines for the investigation and scene responsibilities for traffic
collision investigations and for proper handling of special accidents and enforcement actions at
collision investigation scenes.
They will also establish guidelines for the investigation of traffic collisions, traffic collisions involving
city vehicles, use of accident report forms and the collection of on-scene information.
501.2 ACCIDENT SCENE RESPONSIBILITIES
The basic procedure and responsibilities of an officer or community service officer arriving at an
accident scene are:
(a)Arrive quickly and safely.
(b)Select proper parking position. Responding officers or community service officers shall
park their police vehicles legally and only position them within the roadway to provide
protection for themselves while clearing the scene, or to protect a body. Flares or
cones will be set out to protect the scene or vehicles involved in the collision.
(c)Check for injuries; provide first aid or medical attention and arrange for any needed
paramedic personnel, fire units or other necessary medical response.
(d)Protect the scene and take precautions to prevent further accidents;
1.Check for hazards;
2.Prevent destruction of evidence;
3.Provide for traffic control and any other personnel needed to handle the accident.
4.Officers and/or community service officers shall also protect the injured and
vehicles from theft.
(e)Determine if it is a hit-and-run (either misdemeanor or felony); locate drivers; and if
it is a hit-and-run, obtain as much information on driver and/or vehicle and relay to
Communications for broadcast.
(f)Interview drivers and witnesses and question each separately; get proper identification
on each driver; obtain their statements and observe their condition.
(g)Examine physical conditions; check position of vehicles on the roadway, traffic control
devices, damage to vehicles, vehicle brakes and tires, view obstructions, condition of
roadway and marks and material on the roadway surface.
(h)Obtain proper photographs if required or warranted; measure and diagram all skid
marks, gouges, debris, vehicle position, roadway and lane widths, positions of any
signs, poles or objects which may have contributed to the accident.
(i)Return normal traffic flow as soon as possible.
(j)Arrange for needed tow trucks to clear the accident scene.
Garden Grove Police Department
Procedures Manual
Traffic Collision Procedures
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/08/26, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentTraffic Collision Procedures - 2(k)Request "spill team" response to incidents involving fluid spills.
After the accident scene has been stabilized and all urgent information has been obtained, the
officer or community service officer should:
(a)Determine whether there is sufficient proof to recommend prosecution or make an
arrest.
(b)Determine if the traffic accident investigator is needed.
(c)Supervise clean up of collision scene; and if hazard exists, have proper agency notified
to remove or repair.
(d)Complete the appropriate collision report forms.
501.2.1 CHAIN OF COMMAND AT ACCIDENT SCENES
The first officer or community service officer arriving at an accident scene will be in charge of the
scene and will take all necessary steps to provide aid to the injured, protect the scene and protect
evidence. The first officer or community service officer will remain in charge of the collision scene
until properly relieved, or until completion of the investigation.
If a motor officer is assigned to investigate the collision, the motor officer assigned to the
investigation will be in charge of the scene. The motor officer will remain in charge unless relieved
by supervisory personnel.
If a civilian report writer is assigned to investigate the collision, the civilian report writer assigned to
the investigation will be in charge of the scene. Any follow-up personnel will assist as requested.
The civilian report writer will remain in charge unless relieved by a civilian report writer supervisor
or a sworn officer.
The assigned officer or community service officer at a collision scene will designate specific duties
to other personnel at the scene, and will be assisted by traffic collision investigator if necessary.
Patrol supervisors will retain ultimate control at a collision scene when they are present.
The assigned officer or community service officer shall be responsible for the completion of all
traffic collision reports and the investigation of the collision.
501.3 TRAFFIC DIRECTION AND CONTROL
Traffic direction and control will be determined by the investigating officer or community service
officer. Flares, traffic cones and portable signs will be deployed as needed. Additional personnel
will be requested as needed. Public Services will be notified for additional cones or barricade for
scene and traffic control if needed.
Should traffic control be needed for an extended period of time, the on-duty supervisor will arrange
for sufficient relief every two hours if officers must remain at a traffic control point. Food and
beverage will be provided as needed.
Garden Grove Police Department
Procedures Manual
Traffic Collision Procedures
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/08/26, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentTraffic Collision Procedures - 3Should traffic control be needed as a result of work being done to or in the roadway which requires
a long period of traffic control, an on-duty supervisor or Station Commander will determine what
is needed and coordinate the incident.
501.4 PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING SPECIAL ACCIDENTS
On accidents received with injuries, the Orange County Fire Authority will be notified to respond.
On no-detail accidents, officers will be dispatched to the scene to determine if paramedics will be