Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
2 01/24/2011 09/01/20 20
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
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502 - Traffic Collision Reporting 1 POLICY 502 TRAFFIC COLLISION REPORTING
502.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Tustin 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.
502.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This section pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 61.2.1 , 61.2.2 , 61.2.3, 82.2.1 , 83.1.1,
83.2.6
This section pertains to the following Standard Opera ting Procedures: CP502
502.2 DEFINITIONS
Traffic Collision – An unintended event that produces damage or injury involving a vehicle in
transport.
502.3 RESPONSIBILITY
The Traffic Sergeant will be responsible for distribution of the Collision Investiga tion Manual. The
Traffic Sergeant will receive all changes in the state manual and ensure conformity with this
policy.
502.4 TRAFFIC COLLISION REPORTING
All traffic collision reports taken by members of the Tustin Police Department will be taken on the
CHP 555 form via the electronic traffic collision reporting system, and approved either by the
Traffic Sergeant or his/her designee, or the Watch Commander. The Traffic Sergeant will be
responsible for monthly reports on traffic collision statistics to be forwarded to the Patrol Area
Commander, or other persons as required.
502.5 REPORTING SITUATIONS
502.5.1 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS ON THE ROADWAYS
A traffic collision investigation shall be taken when the collision occurs on a roadway within the
City of Tusti n, which results in a fatal or severe injury to any person involved in the collision.
A traffic collision report should be taken when the collision occurs on a roadway within the City of
Tustin, for any of the following reasons:
a) There is a visible injury observed or a complaint of pain made by any person involved in
the collision ;
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
2 01/24/2011 09/01/20 20
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
_______________ _______
502 - Traffic Collision Reporting 2 b) There is a violation of the Vehicle Code which resulted in the collision;
c) There is a request by any involved party that the collision be documented.
A visible injury includes: bruises (discolored or swollen) , places where the body has received a
blow (black eyes and bloody noses), and abrasions (areas of skin where the surface is
roughened or broken by scratching or rubbing which includes skinned shins, knuckles, knees,
and elb ows.)
502.5.2 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 Tustin Police Department resulting in a serious injury or fatality, the
Traffic Sergeant or the Watch Commander, may notify the California Highway Patrol or other
outside agency deemed appropriate by the Traffic Sergeant or Watch Commander for assistance.
The term serious injury is defined as any injury that m ay result in a fatality.
502.5.3 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS WITH OTHER CITY EMPLOYEES OR OFFICIALS
The Traffic Sergeant or on -duty Watch Commander may request assistance from the California
Highway Patrol or other outside agency deemed appropriate by the Traffic Sergeant or Watch
Commander for the investigation of any traffic collision involving any City official or employee ,
where a serious injury or fatality has occurred.
502.5.4 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
In compliance with the Collision Investig ation Manual, traffic collision reports should not be taken
for traffic collisions occurring on private property:
a) Unless there is a death or injury ;
b) Unless there is a Hit & Run collision with suspect information ( i.e. license plate and the
ability to iden tify the driver of the suspect vehicle) ;
c) Unless there is a DUI -related collision with an ongoing DUI investigation ;
d) Unless a supervisor requires a report be taken .
502.5.5 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS CITY OWNED VEHICLES ON THE ROADWAY OR ON
PRIVATE PROPERTY
a) A traffic collision investigation shall be taken when a city -owned vehicle is involved in a
traffic collision which results in any injury or complaint of pain ;
b) A multi -vehicle traffic collision involving a city -owned vehicle, on the roadway, will require
a traffic collision investigation, when the collision results in damage to either vehicle ;
c) When a city -owned vehicle is involved in a non -injury, solo collision, on the roadway, a
traffic collision report shall be taken. At the discretion of a supervisor, the incident may be
upgraded to an investigation ;
d) A multi -vehicle traffic collision involving a city -owned vehicle, on private property, will
require a traffic collision report, when the collision results in damage to either vehicle and
does not involve any in juries to the involved parties ;
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW