Policy Text
DEPARTMENTAL
24 Dec 99
Ref: CALEA
Standard 26.1.4;
33.1.5; 41.2.2; 61.2.2; 61.2.4
GENERAL
ORDER J-5
Index as:
Collisions Involving Departmental
Vehicles
Damage to Departmental Vehicles Vehicles, Damage to Departmental
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DAMAGE TO DEPARTMENTAL VEHICLES
The purpose of this order is to set forth procedures for reporting collisions and
crimes involving Departmental vehicles, including motorcycles. I. COLLISIONS A. Medical Attention 1. Whenever medical attention for a member or employee is required, procedures in Departmental General Order D-4, SICKNESS AND INJURY PROCEDURES, shall be followed.
2. Ambulance service for members, employees, and citizens shall be requested in accordance with Departmental General
Order I-4, AMBULANCE SERVICE.
3. If any person is seriously injured (member, employee, or citizen), the Traffic Investigations Unit administrative sergeant shall be notified in accordance with Departmental General Order J-2, TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION AND REPOR TING, Part II, B. Serious
injuries shall generally be consid ered to be those that are life-
threatening, but the administrative sergeant may be notified regarding lesser injuries at the discretion of the watch commander.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT J-5 24 Dec 99
B. Assignment of Investigator to Scene 1. Whenever a member or employee is involved in a collision, a traffic enforcement officer who is not personally involved shall be assigned to investigate. In the absence of an available traffic enforcement officer, a Patrol Division member shall be assigned.
2. The investigating officer shall take statements and complete appropriate forms and reports.
3. If the member or employee involved is physically unable to
do so, the investigating officer shall make arrangements for
the vehicle in accordance with Part I, D, of this order.
4. Whenever possible, photographs of the scene shall be obtained.
5. If a vehicle which is assigned to a member on a permanent or semi-permanent basis is involved in a collision, the investigating officer shall determine whether the individual was on or off duty at the time of the collision and include that information in his/her report.
6. When a collision occurs on a freeway in Oakland, a Bureau of Field Operations command or supervisory officer shall be assigned to observe the California Highway Patrol's investigation and report his/h er observations by interoffice
memorandum to the Traffic Investigations Unit supervisor.
C. Responsibility of Departmental Driver Involved in Collision
1. Members and employees shall immediately report vehicle collisions in which they are involved to the Communications Division.
2. Members and employees shall not investigate collisions in which they are involved. To the extent that they are physically able to do so, however, they shall obtain the
following information:
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT J-5 24 Dec 99
a) Name, address, and license number of the driver of the
other vehicle.
b) License plate number and description of the other vehicle.
c) Names and addresses of all passengers in both
vehicles.
d) Names and addresses of all witnesses.
3. Members and employees shall not argue with the other party
involved in the collision.
4. If the other party refuses to wait for an investigating officer, the member or employee shall attempt to obtain as much of the above information as possible before the party leaves.
5. The member or employee shall discuss the collision only with authorized City officials.
6. If the collision occurred outside Oakland, the member or employee shall request the law enforcement agency which investigates to forward a copy of its report to the Traffic Investigations Unit.
7. To the extent that the member or employee is physically able to do so, he/she shall complete procedures in Part I, D, below.
D. Responsibility Regarding Damaged Vehicle
1. Departmental General Order I-2, ASSIGNMENT, SERVICING, AND REPAIR OF POLICE VEHICLES, governs the driving and towing of damaged vehicles and damage reports.
2. Damaged vehicles shall not be driven from the scene if
continued operation will cause further damage.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT J-5 24 Dec 99
3. Damage shall be reported to the Transportation Section on the following forms: a) Two copies of the Report of Damage to City Vehicle (600-16).
b) One copy of the Equipment Department Work Order
(384-21) [Vehicle Repair/Discrepancy Form].
4. If the collision occurs outside Oakland and the vehicle cannot
be driven without causing further damage, the driver shall
secure the vehicle and telephone the Communications
Division. The Communications Division shall notify the
Transportation Section, the Bureau of Services, and the
driver's commander/supervisor at the earliest practical opportunity.
E. Traffic Investigations Unit
1. The Traffic Investigations Unit shall forward copies of all collision reports concerning Departmental vehicles to the City Attorney's Office and the Equipment Department.
II. CRIMES AGAINST DEPARTMENTAL VEHICLES A. Incidents defined as crimes against Departmental vehicles shall include but not be limited to: 1. Vehicle theft.
2. Theft of vehicle parts or equipment.
3. Damage caused by prisoners.
B. Vehicles which have sustained damage or loss and which can be driven without increasing the damage shall be taken to the Transportation Section, where the following forms shall be completed and submitted:
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
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