Policy Text
Policy
502Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentTraffic Collision Reporting - 1Traffic Collision Reporting
502.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Mountain View 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.
502.2 RESPONSIBILITY
The Traffic Sergeant will be responsible for distribution of the Collision Investigation Manual. The
Traffic Sergeant will receive all changes in the state manual and ensure conformity with this policy.
502.3 TRAFFIC COLLISION REPORTING
All Traffic Collision reports taken by members of the Mountain View Police Department shall be
forwarded to the Traffic Unit for approval and data entry into the Mountain View Police Department
Records Management System. The Traffic Sergeant will be responsible for monthly and quarterly
reports on traffic collision statistics to be forwarded to the Special Services Lieutenant, or other
persons as required.
502.4 REPORTING SITUATIONS
Community Services Officers (CSO) assigned to FOD will have the primary responsibility for non-
injury collision reporting and investigation, and minor injury collision reporting and investigation
with Field Supervisor approval.
Motorcycle officers assigned to the Traffic Unit will have the primary responsibility for collision
reporting and investigation for collisions involving injury or death. Traffic Officers have primary
responsibility for all other collision investigations when no CSO's are available.
When no CSO's or Traffic Officers are available, a patrol officer shall be assigned to respond.
Officers will respond to all traffic collision incidents listed below, including those that have occurred
on private property:
(a)Death or injury.
(b)A hit and run.
(c)An suspected impairment of the operator due to alcohol or drugs.
(d)Damage to City vehicles or property.
(e)Hazardous material spill.
(f)A disturbance between principals.
(g)Major traffic congestion as a result of the collision.
(h)Damage to a vehicle to the extent towing is required. Refer to the Report Writing
Manual.
Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
Traffic Collision Reporting
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentTraffic Collision Reporting - 2Response to the scene of a serious or complex accident includes providing emergency services,
investigating the accident, preserving evidence and restoring the normal flow of traffic.
The first officer to arrive shall assume the responsibilities of assisting injured parties, requesting
additional resources as needed, and protecting the accident scene. The investigating officer will
coordinate the collision investigation and restoring the normal traffic flow.
Traffic collisions will be documented in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Department's
Report Writing Manual and the Collision Investigation Manual.
502.4.1 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.
When a traffic collision specifically involves a Police department vehicle, the Traffic Sergeant
shall be responsible for investigating the collision. If the Traffic Sergeant is not available, the
Field Supervisor will investigate the collision. If neither person is available, any on-duty Sergeant
or Watch Commander can investigate the collision. If no supervisory personnel are available,
assistance can be requested from the California Highway Patrol or other outside agency to
investigate the collision. If a collision involves a Field Supervisor and no other Sergeant or Watch
Commander is either available or on duty, assistance can be requested from the California
Highway Patrol or other outside agency to investigate the collision. Once the traffic accident
report is approved by the Traffic Sergeant, the report will be forwarded to the involved employee's
immediate supervisor for review. Outside agency reports should also be forwarded to the
employee's immediate supervisor for review. The immediate supervisor will be responsible for
completing the Accident Determination memorandum and forwarding the memorandum, copy
of the accident report, copy of the 24-Hour Report and any associated documentation (photos,
etc.) via the chain of command to the Chief of Police. The involved employee is responsible for
completing the City of Mountain View 24-Hour Report and any applicable vehicle damage logs
and/or repair work orders.
502.4.2 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS WITH POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES
When an employee of the Police Department, either on-duty or off-duty, is involved in a traffic
collision within the city limits of Mountain View resulting in a serious injury or fatality; the Traffic
Unit Sergeant, Field Supervisor or Patrol Lieutenant, may request the California Highway Patrol
for assistance.
The term serious injury is defined as any injury that may result in a fatality.
502.4.3 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS WITH OTHER CITY EMPLOYEES OR OFFICIALS
The Traffic Unit Sergeant, Field Supervisor or Patrol Lieutenant may request assistance from the
California Highway Patrol for the investigation of any traffic collision involving any City of Mountain
View official or employee where a serious injury or fatality has occurred.
Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
Traffic Collision Reporting
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/16, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentTraffic Collision Reporting - 3502.4.4 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. Refer to the Report Writing Manual