HCSD — Standard Operating Procedures

501.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The Hartwell County Sheriff’s 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 Patrol Lieutenant will be responsible for distribution of the Collision Investigation Manual. The Patrol 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 members of this department shall be forwarded to the Traffic Bureau for approval and data entry into the Records Management System. The Patrol Lieutenant will be responsible for monthly and quarterly reports on traffic collision statistics to be forwarded to the Patrol Operations Division Commander, or other persons as required.

501.4 REPORTING SITUATIONS

501.4.1 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS INVOLVING COUNTY VEHICLES

Traffic collision investigation reports shall be taken when a County-owned vehicle is involved in a traffic collision upon a roadway or highway wherein any damage or injury results. A general information 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 County 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 SHERIFF'S 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 Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department resulting in a serious injury or fatality, the Patrol Lieutenant or the Administrative Bureau, may notify the California Highway Patrol for assistance.

The term serious injury is defined as any injury that may result in a fatality.

501.4.3 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS WITH OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES OR OFFICIALS

The Patrol Lieutenant or on-duty Administrative Bureau may request assistance from the California Highway Patrol, if they’re available, for the investigation of any traffic collision involving any County official or employee where a serious injury or fatality has occurred.

501.4.4 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. An Incident Report may be taken at the discretion of any supervisor.

501.4.5 TRAFFIC COLLISIONS ON ROADWAYS OR HIGHWAYS

Traffic collision reports shall be taken when they occur on a roadway or highway within the jurisdiction of this department under any of the following circumstances:

• When there is a death or injury to any persons involved in the collision
• When there is an identifiable violation of the Vehicle Code
• 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 Patrol Bureau shall notify the on-duty Lieutenant or the on-call Duty Officer to relate the circumstances of the traffic collision and seek assistance from the Agency of jurisdiction to investigate the traffic collision.

501.6 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING SHERIFF'S VEHICLES

All Sheriff’s Department employees who operate County vehicles and are involved in traffic accidents where there is damage to property (including the County vehicle they are operating) or another vehicle, or injury to a person, shall immediately report such accident to a Supervisor. The Supervisor shall immediately initiate an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

501.6.1 PROCEDURE

A Sheriff’s Department employee who is involved in a traffic accident while operating a County vehicle shall immediately notify the Supervisor. The Supervisor shall proceed to the scene and initiate an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

If the traffic accident involves injury or property damage involving other than this Sheriff’s Department vehicle, the Supervisor shall notify the law enforcement agency which has jurisdiction for the investigation of accidents at that location. That agency will be requested to make an investigation into the circumstances. At no time will this Office make the only investigation of a traffic accident which involves property damage or personal injury to another.

501.6.2 INVESTIGATION

The accident will be investigated as completely as possible and shall include, at a minimum, the following information:

• All necessary diagrams, sketches and photographs
• Statements from all involved parties and witnesses to the accident
• The Supervisor/Deputy's statement of facts based on his/her investigation at the scene (d) The Supervisor/Deputy's opinion and conclusions as to the facts obtained at the scene.

The Sheriff’s Department employee involved in the accident will fill out a County of Hartwell, Vehicle Accident Report form (RM 04 March 1992), and will complete and attach, to the accident report form, a memorandum stating the circumstances of the traffic accident. This memorandum will be completed prior to the end of the employee's shift, unless there are extenuating circumstances preventing completion. The memorandum and form will be routed through the employee's supervisor via the chain of command to the Sheriff.

The Supervisor shall, as soon as possible, complete his/her report and obtain copies of the investigating agency's reports, and forward them to the operator's Division Commander. The Division Commander will review the investigative report(s) and forward them to the Sheriff via chain of command with his/her comments and recommendations.

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