Valparaiso Police Department - Collisions Involving Department Vehicles

Flashcards about Valparaiso Police Department General Order 61.2.5

General Order 61.2.5

Establishes guidelines and procedures for crashes that involve Valparaiso Police Department vehicles.

Crash Review Process

Designed to ensure that all Department vehicle related crashes are investigated fairly and consistently.

Supervisor Responsibility after Department Vehicle Crash

Make a report of the crash. The Captain of Patrol, Assistant Chief, or Chief of Police may request any Department or officer to investigate.

Officer Responsibility after Department Vehicle Crash

Briefly evaluate the scene, check for injuries, hazard, etc. Notify the on-duty Supervisor, or officer in charge, of the crash, type, location, injuries, etc.

Portable Breath Test (PBT)

The operator of the department vehicle shall submit to a Portable Breath Test (PBT) while on scene of the crash.

Notification Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the Supervisor or OIC to notify the Captain of Patrol immediately after a department vehicle crash.

Crash Report Submission

The investigating officer is responsible for submitting the completed report to the Captain of Patrol immediately upon completion of the investigation.

Valparaiso Police Department Crash Review Board

Consists of: Assistant Chief, the Captain of the division in which the involved officer is assigned, Accident Reconstructionist, an E.V.O.C. Instructor, and an Officer chosen by the affected Officer of the same rank.

Crash Review Board Notification to Involved Officer(s)

The officer(s) involved in the crash shall be notified, in writing, no less than ten (10) days prior to the crash review date.

Crash Review Board Meeting Timeline

The Crash Review Board shall meet within thirty (30) days after the crash to conduct a review.

Crash Review Board Determination

Determine whether the crash was non-preventable or preventable based on the concept of defensive driving.

Action after Non-Preventable Crash Determination

When a crash is determined to be non-preventable, no further action will be taken.

Crash Review Board Reporting

Report all of the findings to the Chief of Police within three (3) days upon completion of the review of the crash.

Notification of Findings

The officer(s) involved shall be notified of the findings of the Board and Chief of Police's recommendations in writing within seven (7) days upon the completion of the review.

Crash Review Board Appeal

The officer may appeal the decision of the Board and/or Chief of Police's decision(s) by requesting, in writing, that the Board reconsider its findings.

Crash Review Board File Insertion

The final findings, recommendations, and final action(s) of the Crash Review Board will be inserted into the officer's file for one (1) year from the date of review.

Preventable Crashes Threshold

If three (3) or more preventable crashes occur involving a specific officer within a twelve (12) month period, he/she may be referred to the Chief of Police for a possible hearing before the City Board of Works for possible suspension, demotion, or dismissal.

Crash Review Board Discussions

The discussions and findings of the Crash Review Board are without regard to any criminal or civil liability and are not an admission of liability by the Valparaiso Police Department.

Crash Review Point Scale

Sets a standard formula for assigning points for occurrence, contributing circumstances, and disciplinary action(s).

Points for Preventable Crash

For every preventable crash that occurs, the officer shall be assessed two (2) points. For every preventable crash that the officer has had within the proceeding twelve (12) months, one (1) point will be assessed for each crash.

Contributing Circumstance Assessment

A minimum of at least one (1) contributing circumstance must be assessed for each preventable crash.

Contributing circumstances points related to drugs

Alcoholic Beverages - 20 points, Illegal Drugs - 20 points, Prescription Drugs - 5 to 20 points

Contributing circumstances points related to driver condition

Driver Asleep or Fatigued - 1 to 2 points, Driver Illness - 1 point

Contributing circumstances points related to driving errors

Unsafe Speed - 2 points, Failure to Yield Right of Way - 2 points, Disregard Signal/Regulatory Sign - 2 points, Left of Center - 2 points, Improper Passing - 2 points, Improper Turning - 2 points, Improper Lane Usage - 2 points, Following Too Closely - 2 points, Unsafe Backing - 2 points, Overcorrection/Over steering - 2 points, Ran off Road - 2 points, Wrong Way on One Way - 2 points

Contributing circumstances points related to distractions

Passenger Distraction - 2 points, Driver Distraction- 2 points, Cell Phone Usage - 5 points, Other Telematics in Use - 2 points

Contributing circumstances points related to specific conditions

Speed too Fast for Weather Conditions - 2 points, Emergency Driving without Due Regard - 2 points, Failure to Maintain Vehicle as Directed- 2 points

Disciplinary Action Point Guidelines

Up to 7 Points: Written Warning or Written Reprimand. 8 to 12 Points: Written Reprimand and Restricted Use of Vehicle and/or EVOC training (Optional). 13 to 15 Points: One (1) Day Suspension and Restricted Use of Vehicle and/or EVOC training (Optional). 16 to 20 Points: Three (3) Day Suspension and Restricted Use of Vehicle and EVOC training. 21 and Above: Three (3) Day Suspension and Restricted Use of Vehicle and EVOC training, (Optional) Additional Disciplinary Action(s) up to and including termination.