Policy Text
Policy
502San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentTraffic Collision Reporting - 1Traffic Collision Reporting
502.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The San Luis Obispo 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 this department shall be forwarded to the Watch
Commander for approval
502.4 REPORTING SITUATIONS
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. 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 Division Chief.
Photographs of the collision scene and vehicle damage shall be taken at the discretion of the
traffic investigator or any supervisor.
502.4.2 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 San Luis Obispo Police Department resulting in a serious injury or
fatality, the Traffic Sergeant or the Watch Commander, may notify 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 Sergeant or on-duty Watch Commander 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.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Traffic Collision Reporting
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentTraffic Collision Reporting - 2502.4.4 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 certain Vehicle Code violations. A report may be taken at the
discretion of any supervisor.
502.4.5 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)When there is a death or injury to any persons involved in the collision
(b)When a report is requested by any involved driver
502.5 NOTIFICATION OF TRAFFIC BUREAU SUPERVISION
In the event of a serious injury or death related traffic collision, the Watch Commander shall notify
the Traffic Sergeant to relate the circumstances of the traffic collision and seek assistance from
the Traffic Bureau. In the absence of a Traffic Sergeant, the Watch Commander or any supervisor
may assign an accident investigator or motor officer to investigate the traffic collision.