Policy Text
1 (11/20/2025 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH REVIEW PROCESS
Index as: Accident Review Process
Crash Review Process
Motor Vehicle Crash Review Process
Non-Preventable Crash
Preventable Crash Preventable/Excusable Crash
Remedial Training
Review Board, Crash
Vehicular Intervention
Vehicles, Involved in Crashes
Accreditation Standards: 4.1.5, 22.4.1, 35.1.9 and CFA 10.04
Cross Reference: G.O. II -06, Take -home Vehicle Program
G.O. II -12, Negligent Damage Loss or Theft of Department Property
G.O. II -42, Use of Force
G.O. III -12, Police Vehicle Operation
G.O. III -17, Pursuits
Rules and Regulations of the Personnel Management System
§ 316.065, Florida Statutes , Crashes; reports; penalties
Replaces : G.O. II -02, Motor Vehicle Crash Review Process ( December 18, 2024 )
This Order consists of the following sections:
I. Policy
II. Definitions
III. Crash Investigations and Notifications
IV. Crash Review
V. Crash Review Board Procedures
VI. Corrective Acti on Guidelines
VII. Remedial Training
I. POLICY
A. All employees are expected to operate Department vehicles with due care to prevent motor vehicle crashes and
will avoid practices which are detrimental to safe vehicle operat ion. See GO III -12, Police Vehicle Operation .
B. Supervisory personnel will continuously work to improve the safe driving pra ctices of personnel and will take action
to correct acts of indifference, misconduct, carelessness or negligence which may result in vehicle crashes.
C. All crashes involving City/Department vehicles with an on -duty operator, take -home vehicles with an off -duty
operator, and/or vehicles rented or leased by the City/Department for official use will be thoroughly investigated and
an attempt made to determine the cause of the crash.
D. All employees involved in a motor vehicle crash will receive the same treatment and consideration as any citizen
with regard to the issuance of a traffic citation, except in the case of the vehicle being operated under emergency
conditions, then no citation will be issued.
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
April 2016 Immediately II-02
Distribution: All Employees
General Order II -02
2 (11/20/2025 ) E. Vehicular intervention is not considered a motor vehicle crash.
Vehicular Intervention is ONLY permitted in situations where deadly force would be authorized. The use of
Vehicular Intervention will be investigat ed in accordance with the procedures outlined in GO III -17, Pursuit of a
Vehicle or Boat .
II. DEFINITIONS
A. Department Vehicle – Any vehicle operated by an on -duty or off -duty employee which is owned, leased or rented
by the City or Police Department, or any other vehicle o perated by an employee while on duty.
B. Non-preventable – The driver of the vehicle did eve rything they reasonably could have done to prevent the crash.
C. Preventable – The driver of the vehicle did not do everything they reasonably could have done to prevent the crash.
D. Preventable/Excusable – A crash which results in unintentional damage may be classified as preventa ble/excusable
only if all of the following criteria are met:
1. The officer must be taking a reasonable, deliberate action in response to an incident or situa tion which they
have personally observed;
2. Immediate police action is required;
3. The action must be for the purpose of preventing the commission of a felony crime or to prevent the escape of
a felony suspect.
E. Vehicular Intervention – An intentional act of forcing a moving vehicle to a stop with or without the intent to strike
the vehicle. Examples of Vehicular Intervention include, but are not limited to, use of ramming, a roadblock, or the
Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver. Vehicular inter vention is considered deadly force.
III. CRASH INVESTIGATIONS AND NOTIFICATIONS
A. All crashes involving a Department vehicle will be reported to the Emergency Communications Center immediately.
B. Any time an employee is involved in an on -duty or off -duty crash with a Department vehicle, they will:
1. Remain at the scene, unless an explainable emergency prohibits remaining;
2. Render first aid to any person;
3. Attempt to protect and preserve the crash scene ; and
4. Prepare a Crash Memorandum (located on the J drive) as soon as practical . G.O. II -02 Motor Vehicle Crash
Review Process_Attachment A provides details on completing the report by a supervisor.
C. The crash will be investigated at the scene whenever practical.
1. The employee's immediate supervisor will be sent to the crash scene to make personal observations and ensure
a thorough investigation is conducted.
a. If the immediate supervisor is not available, or is off duty, a supervisor from the involved employee's bureau
will be sent to the scene .
b. If a supervisor from the involved employee's bureau is not available, or is off duty, a supervisor from the
Uniform Services Bureau will be sent to the s cene.
2. If it is not practical for a supervisor to respon d to the scene (e.g. crash occurs while on Department -approved
travel) , the Watch Commander will be notified. With approval, the