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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Traffic Collision Reporting - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Traffic Collision Reporting 501.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The Santa Monica 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. 501.2 RESPONSIBILITY The Traffic Lieutenant will be responsible for distribution of the Collision Investigation Manual. The Traffic Lieutenant will receive all changes in the state manual and ensure conformity with this policy. 501.3 TRAFFIC COLLISION REPORTING All traffic collision reports taken by memb ers of this Department shall be forwarded to the Traffic Bureau for approval and data entry into the Records Management System. The Traffic Lieutenant will be responsible for monthly and quarterly reports on traffic collision statistics to be forwarded to the Operations Division Commander, or other persons as required. 501.4 REPORTING SITUATIONS 501.4.1 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS INVOLVING CITY VEHICLES Traffic collision investigation reports shall be taken when a City -owned vehicle is involved in a traffic collision upo n a roadway or highway wherein any damage or injury results. A Traffic Miscellaneous 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 Commander. Photographs of the collision scene and vehicle damage shall be taken at the discretion of the traffic investigator or any supervisor. 501.4.2 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS WITH POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES The California Highway Patrol shall be the investigating agency whenever an on -duty or off - duty Santa Monica Police Department employee, volunteer, City Official (in dividual appointed or elected by the City Council) is a party to a traffic collision within the City of Santa Monica, and the incident involves great bodily injury or death, or driving under the influence of alcohol or a combination of alcohol and/or drugs . Santa Monica Police personnel shall assume an assisting role. If the traffic collision does not involve serious bodily injury or death, or driving under the influence of alcohol or a combination of alcohol and/or drugs, the California Highway Patrol may be called, at the discretion of the Traffic Section Lieutenant or Watch Commander, to handle the investigation.Policy 501 Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/11/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Traffic Collision Reporting - 2 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Traffic Collision Reporting 501.4.3 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. 501.4.4 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS ON ROADWAYS OR HIGHWAYS Traffic collision reports shall be taken when they occur on a roadway or highway with in 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 there is an identifiable violation of the Vehicle Code (c) When a report is requested by any involved driver 501.5 NOTIFICATION OF TRAFFIC BUREAU SUPERVISION In the event of a serious injury or death -related traffic collision, the Watch Commander shall notify the Traffic Section lieutenant to relate the circumstances of the traffic collision and seek assistance from the Traffic Section. In the absence of a Traffic Section lieutenant, the Traffic Section sergeant, Watch Commander or any sworn supervisor may assign a Traffic Investigator to investigate the traffic collision. This policy will also apply when notification is received regarding a serious injury or death -related collision involving City-owned or -operated vehicles outside City limits. For collisions occurring outside the City, the Traffic Investigator may be assigned to assist City staff for purposes of evaluating City liability.