53729

General Order B -27 Page 1 of 10 Traffic Crash Investigations TEMPLE TERRACE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER EFFECTIVE DATE 10/19/2010 FILE INDEX NO. B-27 SUBJECT: TRAFFIC CRASH INVESTIGATIONS INDEX AS: SAME AS ABOVE RESCINDS: REVISES: B-27 DATE REVISED: 01/06/2022 DISTRIBUTION : ALL MEMBERS I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this direc tive is to outline when a traffic crash is to be investi gated by members of the Temple Terrace Police Department, when a specific traffic crash report form is to be completed and filed , and other factors re lating to traf fic crash investigations. II. SCOPE: All Sworn and Communications Members III. DISCUSSION: It is the respon sibility of the Temple Terrace Police Department to respond to the scenes of traffic crash es with in our jurisdic tional boundaries to i nclude any public street, road, highway, and right-of-way that is open to the public by invitation or infer ence which meets the specific criteria as outlined in this General Order. IV. DEFINITIONS: A. Serious Injur y - Any injury which creates a substantial risk of death , serious personal disfigurement, or the loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ. B. Traffic Fatality - A traffic crash where a death occurs as a direct result of the crash , within thirty (30) days from the date of the crash . C. Traffic Fatality Unit (TFU) - The Traffic Fatality Unit consists of the Traffic Fatality Unit Supervisor, Traffic Crash Reconstructionist (TCR), and Traffic Fatality Investigators (TFI). V. PROCEDURE: A. Response and Investigation of Traffic Crashes: 1. Upon receip t of a report of a traffic crash within the City of Temple Terrace, Communications will dispatch officers to the scene. a. Communication s will attempt to obtain the following information: a) The presence of injuries b) If there is any road obstruction c) The number o f vehicles involved , including their description(s) d) The caller’s name and phone number along with their involvement in the crash General Order B -27 Page 2 of 10 Traffic Crash Investigations b. If there is any indication of injury or fire, Communications will also immediately dispatch the Temple Terrace Fire Rescue and other fire units as applicable. 2. Members who drive up on , or are advised of , an unreported traffic crash will notify Communications of the crash location, possible injuries, and any other pertinent information so that appropriate assistance can be dis patched. 3. Responsibilities of the primary assigned and/or first responding officer: a. The primary assigned and/or first responding officer to arrive on scene of a traffic crash will: a) Administer emergency medical care including basic life support b) Summon addi tional assistance as needed (e.g. Fire Department, ambulance, additional officers , tow trucks, etc). c) Notify his/her supervisor if there is a fatality or serious bodily injury . (Refer to General Order B -21 Traffic Fatality Crash Investigations) d) Locate/id entify drivers, passengers and/or pedestrians involved in the crash. a) If a driver exhibits signs of impairment due to alcohol or drugs, visual observation must be maintained to ensure nothing is ingested. Chemical tests will be conducted in accordance with current state law. (1) If the crash involves a t raffic fatality, the initiating officer should consult with the responding TFI or shift supervisor on how he /she should proceed. e) Protect the scene and all associated evidence by proper positioning of police an d rescue vehicles , and by preventing access of unauthorized persons. f) Locate and preserve any short -lived evidence. g) Be alert to actual and poten tial dangers at the crash scene, including but not limited to, fire haz ards (i.e., gasoline spills or other flammable substances) and other hazardous materials. a) Members will take appropriate precautions to protect themselves, the parties involved in the crash , and any bystanders from any such actual or potential dangers that are observed. h) Establish a safe tr affic pattern around the scene as soon as possible . i) Locate and collect witness information and interview them . j) Accurately record available crash information within the appropriate crash report . 4. Protecting the scene and clearing the roadway: a. Members w ill use the patrol vehicle's overhead lights, flares, cones , and other appropriate warning devices when necessary to protect the scene, to alert approaching traffic , and to create a safe traffic pattern around the scene. a) If it is necessary to completely close all lanes of traffic in one or both directions on a roadway, officers shall be positioned to stop approaching traffic from entering the roadway and direct traffic around the scene. b) Temporary traffic control equipment such as traffic cones, flares , and signs may be utilized to protect the scene and to temporarily detour traffic. a) These devices shall be placed at strategic locations, far enough ahead of the scene to provide drivers a clear direction on how to safely circumvent the scene. b) The temporary traffic control equipment should be removed as soon as the roadway is cleared , and it is safe to do so. General Order B -27 Page 3 of 10 Traffic Crash Investigations c) Preferably, detour routes should utiliz e other City streets to avoid routing a large