Policy Text
Policy
501Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/06/09, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentTraffic Collision Reporting - 1Traffic Collision Reporting
501.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Santa Ana Police Department takes 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.
501.2 RESPONSIBILITY
The Traffic Commander will be responsible for distribution or posting the Collision Investigation
Manual on the Intranet. The Traffic Commander will receive all changes in the state manual and
ensure conformity with this policy.
501.3 TRAFFIC COLLISION REPORTING
All traffic collision reports prepared by members of this department shall be completed and
submitted utilizing the department approved collision report program (Currently Crossroads
Collision Software) and forwarded to the Traffic Division for approval and data entry into the
Records Management System. The Traffic Commander will be responsible for monthly and
quarterly reports on traffic collision statistics to be forwarded to the Field Operations Bureau
Bureau Commander, or other persons as required. For further details refer to Procedure 5011.
501.4 REPORTING SITUATIONS
501.4.1 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS INVOLVING CITY VEHICLES
Traffic collision investigation reports shall be prepared 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 prepared 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.
When a City-owned vehicle, driven by a City employee, is involved in a traffic collision within
the jurisdiction of the Santa Ana Police Department resulting in serious injury or fatality, the
investigating officer(s) shall, to the extent available in the vehicle, download the Event Date
Recorder (“EDR” or Black Box) and take photographs of the collision scene and vehicle damage.
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 Santa Ana Police Department resulting in a serious injury or fatality,
the Traffic Commander or the Watch Commander, may notify the California Highway Patrol or
other allied agency for assistance.
Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Policy Manual
Traffic Collision Reporting
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/06/09, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentTraffic Collision Reporting - 2When a collision involving an on-duty Santa Ana Police Department employee occurs, the
supervisor assigned the administrative investigation shall make notification to a supervisor
assigned to the Collision Investigation Unit within 24 hours of the incident.
When an employee of this department, either on-duty or off-duty, is involved in a traffic collision
within the jurisdiction of the Santa Ana Police Department resulting in a serious injury or fatality,
the investigating officer(s) shall, to the extent available in the vehicle, download the Event Date
Recorder (“EDR” or Black Box) and take photographs of the collision scene and vehicle damage.
This requirement only applies when the employee is driving a City-owned/leased vehicle at the
time of the collision.
Serious injury is defined as significant, permanent, and/or prolonged injury that results in any of
the following: in-patient hospitalization, broken bones, substantial lacerations requiring suturing,
disfigurement, organ impairment, but not dislocation of a body part or that which may result or
does result in a fatality.
501.4.3 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS WITH OTHER CITY EMPLOYEES OR OFFICIALS
The Traffic Commander or on-duty Watch Commander may request assistance from the California
Highway Patrol or other allied agency 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 prepared
for traffic collisions occurring on private property unless the following circumstances exist:
(a)There is a death or injury to any person involved in the collision
(b)A hit-and-run violation, or other criminal activity including but not limited to a DUI or
violations of CVC 2800.1, CVC 2800.2
(c)If there is, or appears to be a potential for City Liability
(d)If CHP is unable to respond - Collision involving an Occupied School Bus (CVC 545)
(e)City, County, State, Federal Government property or on duty personnel are involved
(f)Property damage collision and the owner of the damaged property cannot be located
(g)One or more parties involved are found to be unlicensed or unable to provide proof of
insurance - Officers should cite the party found to be unlicensed and/or uninsured
A Collision Report may be prepared at the discretion of any supervisor.
501.4.5 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS ON ROADWAYS OR HIGHWAYS
Traffic collision reports shall be prepared 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)A hit-and-run violation, or other criminal activity such as DUI, violations of CVC 2800.1,
CVC 2800.