Policy Text
Policy
501Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/08/15, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentTraffic Collision Reporting - 1Traffic Collision Reporting
501.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Garden Grove 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. The purpose of this
policy is to 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. It shall be the policy of the Garden Grove Police Department not to respond
to property damage only (non-injury) traffic collisions. The parties involved will be instructed to
exchange information as required by California law. Traffic accident reports will be documented
in one of two ways. Either police personnel respond to the scene to document the accident or the
reporting party files a report at the front desk of the police department. Traffic accident reports
will not be taken over the phone.
501.2 RESPONSIBILITY
The Special Services Lieutenant will be responsible for distribution of the Collision Investigation
Manual. The Special Services Lieutenant will receive all changes in the state manual and ensure
conformity with this policy.
501.3 TRAFFIC COLLISION REPORTING
All traffic collision reports taken by members of this department shall be forwarded to the Traffic
Bureau for approval and data entry into the Records Management System. The Special Services
Lieutenant will be responsible for monthly and quarterly reports on traffic collision statistics to be
forwarded to the Community Policing Bureau Commander, 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 or
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 Bureau 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 Garden Grove Police Department resulting in a serious injury or fatality,
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Traffic Collision Reporting
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/08/15, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentTraffic Collision Reporting - 2the Special Services Lieutenant or the Division Lieutenant, may notify the California Highway
Patrol for assistance.
The term serious injury is defined as any injury that may result in a fatality.
501.4.3 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS WITH OTHER CITY EMPLOYEES OR OFFICIALS
The Special Services Lieutenant or on-duty Division Lieutenant may request assistance from the
California Highway Patrol for the investigation of any traffic collision involving any City official or
employee where a serious injury or fatality has occurred.
501.4.4 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
In compliance with the Collision Investigation Manual, traffic collision reports shall not be taken
for traffic collisions occurring on private property unless there is a death or injury to any person
involved, a hit-and-run violation, or Vehicle Code violation. An Incident Report may be taken at
the discretion of any supervisor.
501.4.5 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS ON ROADWAYS OR HIGHWAYS
Traffic collision reports shall be taken when they occur on a roadway or highway within the
jurisdiction of this department under any of the following circumstances:
(a)A Long Form collision report is completed for:
1.Fatal accidents
2.Injury accidents classified as severe wound/distorted member
3.Accidents involving substantial damage to city property or the likelihood of civil
liability exists.
4.Accidents in which prosecution is contemplated.
5.Hit-and-run accidents which require follow-up investigation.
6.Accidents involving city owned or city leased vehicles.
7.Accidents involving any other public taxing agency, i.e., another city's vehicle,
United
8.States government vehicle, Orange County Transit vehicle.
(b)A Short Form collision report is completed for:
1.Minor injury traffic accidents (i.e. classified as "other visible injury").
2.Accidents in which prosecution is contemplated involving drivers arrested for
California Vehicle Code 23152(a), 23152(b), or 20002(a) when the suspect
is arrested shortly after the accident during a continuing investigation by the
handling officer.
3.Property damage only collisions in which the owner of the property cannot be
identified or located.
4.An accident not meeting the criteria of a long form traffic accident in which the
hydrocarbon spill team is required to respond.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Traffic Collision Reporting
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/08/15, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentTraffic Collision Reporting - 35.Accidents involving city property where the value of damaged property is low
(i.e. city tree, bushes, wall, etc.).
6.Hit and run property damage only without follow-up possibility.
501.4.6 INFORMATION EXCHANGE CARD
The Information Exchange Card (form #505) is to be completed for:
(a)Non-in