GO 537.0520 - Major Collision Investigation and Follow Up

SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS GO 537.05 Page 1 of 2 537.05 Major Collision Investigation and Follow -Up 01-14-16 PURPOSE The purpose of this order is to ensure that a complete and thorough investigation is conducted for all serious and fatal collision s that occur in the City of Sacramento . POLICY It shall be the policy of the Sacramento Police Department that traffic i nvestigator s investigate fatal collision s and other appropriate collisions, as completely and thorough ly as available ev idence, resources, and legal requirements allow . PROCEDURE A. TRAFFIC CALL -OUT 1. Traffic call -outs shall be initiated by the Watch C ommander or Incident Commander (IC) . Traffic call- outs shall be initiated via the Communications Division. 2. A traffic call -out shall be initiated under the following circumstances : a) Fatality b) Pending fatality A pending fatality is when an injured person is being kept alive through medical intervention and will immediately expire if intervention is stopped. c) City equip ment collisions involving serious injury (ref er to G.O. 537.04 ). 3. Traffic call -outs may be initiated when collisions require advanced investigative methods (e.g., high liability c ity equipment collisions, in -depth speed analysis, advanced diagramming needs, etc.). 4. If the c riteria for a traffic call -out are not me t, field supervisors may call the on -call traffic supervisor for direction and assistance. 5. The Major Collision Investigation Unit (MCIU) supervisor shall be responsible for updating on-call information in the Versadex System Notepad. 6. A minimum of one (1) traffic supervisor and three (3) traffic inve stigators shall be placed on on-call status at all times . On-call investigators shall consist of traffic detectives, traffic officers, or any oth er officer who has completed the intermediate collision investigation training . At least one of the three on - call investigators shall be assigned to the MCIU. B. ON-SCENE RESPONSIBLITIES 1. On scene traffic and patrol officers shall assist the investigator(s) by protecting the scene, obtaining preliminary statements, identifying parties, and canvassing for witnesses. All supplements shall be completed and made available to traffic investigators prior to end of watch. 2. The Traffic Section Lieutenant shall determine if assistance from the CHP Major Accident Incident Team (MAIT) is necessary after consulting with the MCIU supervisor. 3. The MCIU shall be responsible for notifying the Public Information Officer (PIO) . C. TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATIVE FOLLOW -UP CRITERIA 1. Fatal collisions – All fatal collisions shall be assigned for follow-up. 2. Injury collisions a) Injury collisions shall be assigned for follow -up if of the victim's condition is critical/ potentially life threatening or at the discretion of the MCIU supervisor . b) Felony hit & run collisions shall be assigned for follow -up in cases involving serious injury. For purposes of assignment, serious injuries shall be defined as the loss or permanent impairment of funct ion of a bodily member or organ (See, California Vehic le Code section 20001(b)(2) ). c) Felony hit & run cases involving minor injury shall be evaluated for follow -up based on the criteria for assigning misdemeanor hit & run collisions. 3. Property damage (non -injury) collisions a) Property damage only collisions shall be assigned for follow -up at the discretion of the MCIU supervisor . SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS GO 537.05 Page 2 of 2 b) Misdemeanor hit & run collisions shall be evaluated for follow -up if a full vehicle license number is obtained and the driver can be positively identified by a victim or witness . 4. Public Counter , Online , and Mail -out reports Public co unter , online , and mail -out collision reports will not be investigated and are for documentation / insurance purposes only. 5. DUI Felony DUI reports shall be assigned when DUI drivers are unable to be booked into jail and a felony warrant is requested. 6. Felony E vading Felony evading reports shall be assigned for follow -up in cases where the pursuing officer (s) obtain ed a license plate, identif ied the driver, and request ed a warrant be issued for the driv er’s arrest. Felony evading investigations occurring in conjunction with another felony (e.g. stolen vehicle, robbery, etc…) shall be handled by the investigative u nit responsible for the additional offens e. 7. Other traffic offenses Cases will be evaluated for follow -up based on the unit caseload and the likelihood of successful prosecution.