Policy Text
POLICY
138.0POLICE VEHICLE CRASH REVIEW BY CHIEF OF POLICE OR
HIS/HER DESIGNEE
REVISED: 11/2011 RELATED POLICIES:
Reviewed by Chief David Magnusson
4/2019
A.POLICY
The El Portal Police Department will review all vehicular crashes involving Police
Department personnel and/or vehicles. The review, conducted by the Chief of Police or
his/her designee will determine the cause, preventability or non-preventability. The
Supervisor may make recommendations for policy modifications, safety improvements
and training.
B.PROCEDURE
1.When a Department employee is involved in a crash while operating a Village-
owned vehicle, that employee’s supervisor will forward within 15 working days
all documentation (reports, photos, etc.) to the Chief of Police or his/her designee
including the completed El Portal Police Department Police Vehicle Crash
Review form.
2.Duties
a.The Chief of Police or his/her designee will review all vehicular crashes
and traffic complaints, from all Bureaus, to determine cause,
preventability and mitigating circumstances.
b.The Chief will review the finding’s as to cause, preventability and
assessment of any mitigating circumstances.
3.Definitions
a.Preventable Crash - Any vehicle related crash damage or injury which was
avoidable through prudent, cautious and defensive driving by the operator
and/or by following Police Department policies, procedures, rules and
regulations.
b.Non-Preventable Crash - Any vehicle related crash damage or injury
which was not avoidable through prudent, cautious and defensive driving
by the operator and/or by following the Police Department policies,
procedures, rules and regulations.
c.Mitigation – Any circumstance that may have been a contributing factor in
the vehicle crash or traffic complaint being investigated. Mitigating
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circumstances will be categorized as extraordinary, substantial, average, or
poor/none.
4.The Chief of Police retains the right to modify and render final recommendations.
C.RECORD KEEPING
Upon final review, the written report shall be distributed as follows:
1.One copy of the written review report will be placed in the employee's
personnel file.
2.The Chief of Police or his/her designee will maintain copies of all
preventable crashes.
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