G.O. 5.08 - Traffic Accident Investigations

Overview

  • General Order (G.O.) 5.08 – “Traffic Accident Investigations”
  • Issuing agency: Norwich Police Department (NPD), Section 5 – Patrol Functions
  • Original date: 08/10/20; re-issued/effective: 04/28/23
  • Applies to: ALL PERSONNEL; establishes departmental-only standards (administrative, not civil liability)
  • Accreditation/Legal anchors: POSTC 1.2.7;1.7.14;3.5.101.2.7; 1.7.14; 3.5.10, Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) §§14-227c, 14-227a, 53a-3, Public Act 20-1, Cannabis Act Bill No. 1201

I. Purpose

  • Create written guidance for members on responding to, reporting, and investigating traffic accidents (public & private property)
  • Provide step-by-step direction for on-scene, follow-up, and administrative duties, including serious/complex crashes

II. Policy Statement

  • NPD will attempt to respond to and investigate ALL reported crashes when manpower allows
  • High-priority calls; delay only with Shift Supervisor approval & documented “unusual circumstances”
  • Goal: Thorough, professional investigations leading to proper documentation, enforcement, and safety management

III. Core Procedures & Decision Matrix

A. General Reporting & Investigation Rules

  • Investigate all crashes at time of occurrence when possible
  • Immediate response priority except under dispatcher/shift-commander-approved exceptions
  • Key categories that dictate investigative depth:
    1. Death or Injury (fatal, life-threatening, disabling, police-vehicle injury, Patrol Captain override)
    2. Property-damage < $1,000.00\$1,000.00 and no injuries
    3. Hit-and-Run / Evading
    4. Suspected Impairment (alcohol/drug)
    5. Hazardous Materials
    6. Private-Property collisions
    7. Delayed-reported collisions (>1 hour after occurrence)

B. Dispatching Levels for Serious / Complex Crashes

  • Normally 1 officer; escalate to ≥2 officers + supervisor when factors present:
    • Fatal/serious injury, hit-and-run, impairment, public-property damage, haz-mat, disturbances, major congestion, towing needed, vehicular assaults, departmental vehicles, pursuit crashes
  • Core services expected: investigate, request EMS/Fire, collect evidence, restore traffic flow

IV. Specific Investigative Protocols

1. Death or Life-Threatening Injury

  • Accident Investigation Reconstruction Team (AIRT) summoned by Shift Supervisor
  • Mandatory notifications: command staff, PIO, State’s Attorney, Medical Examiner
  • Body handling: prioritize documentation & rapid transfer to ME custody; place investigative hold on vehicles
  • Statutory blood/breath draw mandate per CGS §14-227c (no consent language; officer must inform operator sample “will be taken” by law)
  • AIRT duties: scale diagram, DMV records, full reconstruction, evidence retrieval pre-tow, officer supplements, outside-agency assistance (CSP Truck Squad, City Engineering), search warrants (vehicle mechanicals, blood-test results)

2. No-Injury, <$1k Damage

  • Standard incident report—not full MMUCC
  • Required data: IDs, plates, DL #s, insurance, date/time/location, vehicle positions, operator narratives, witnesses, officer fault assessment, enforcement action
  • Inoperable vehicles towed per Tow Policy

3. Hit-and-Run / Evading

  • Immediate dispatcher broadcast with best description & direction of travel; possible area search coordination by Supervisor
  • Evidence collection: paint chips, parts, blood, fabric, soil, hair, etc.
  • Witness canvass (door-to-door, businesses, garages, parking lots)
  • Information disseminated via COLLECT, other agencies, media when needed
  • Upon locating suspect vehicle: confirm via physical evidence/possible warrant; interview owner; pursue enforcement

4. Impairment Investigations

  • Officers vigilant for DUI cues; prefer same officer handles crash + DUI unless time constraints
  • Statutory MUSTs for serious-injury/fatal crashes (per PA 20-1 & CGS §14-227c):
    • Obtain blood/breath/urine sample
    • Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) evaluation (post-04/01/22) if operator medically able

5. Hazardous-Material Crashes

  • Investigated under this order plus Haz-Mat safety considerations
  • Officers verify cargo, consult USDOT ERG; fire dept assumes command if haz-mat confirmed
  • Incident Command System to be established; officers with exposure seek immediate medical care + documentation

6. Private-Property Collisions

  • Default response & credential checks; direct info exchange
  • On-scene investigation ONLY when: fatal/injury, hit-and-run, impairment, reckless op, town vehicle, supervisor-determined extenuating circumstances
  • During widespread events (snowstorms, etc.) supervisor may suspend responses; CAD entry still required
  • Report coding: RMS “no crime” + “private lot accident,” attach photos & Preliminary Accident Report Summary (PARS)
  • Title 14 violations enforceable in lots ≥10 spaces or fatal crashes

7. Delayed-Reported Crashes

  • Defined: >1 hr after occurrence (>1 hr after discovery for evading)
  • CAD entry + diagram marked “POLICE NOT AT SCENE”; no fault determination, no enforcement

V. Scene-Management Doctrine

A. On-Scene Responsibilities (Primary Officer)

  • Stabilize situation, summon aid, protect evidence, establish safe traffic pattern, locate witnesses, expedite clearance
  • Separate participants & witnesses to avoid collusion
  • Injury management supersedes investigation; first-aid priority
  • Hazardous materials/fire: cautious approach, identify placards/shipping docs, request FD, release perimeter control to FD until safe
  • Evidence tasks: written statements, photos (fatalities, serious injury, police/town vehicles, extensive damage, or supervisor discretion), measurements, physical evidence collection
  • Traffic control measures: cruiser positioning, lights, flares, cones, tape; coordinate additional units; expedite tow; remove bystanders
  • Property security: tag & store valuables; found/unknown property → Evidence Room
  • “No Investigation Required” criteria checklist (info exchanged, no injury, minor damage, valid documents, no impairment)

B. Secondary Units

  • Aid injured, take statements, preserve evidence, traffic/crowd control, measurements, follow IA officer’s or supervisor’s direction

C. Supervisory Roles

  • Respond when City vehicle involved, fatal/serious crash, or complexity dictates
  • Duties: advise officer, coordinate EMS/Fire, detours, evaluate for AIRT activation, notify command, manage Incident Command
  • Police-vehicle accidents: supervisor conducts investigation; summary to Chief with ordinance/directive violations; dispositions range from “No Fault” to “Termination”

VI. Special Administrative Scenarios

A. Department Personnel Crashes (Inside City)

  • Immediate dispatch & supervisor response; MMUCC + case incident + detailed summary
  • If supervisor is involved, alternate supervisor investigates
  • Fault findings documented with specific violated statute/directive; evidence → Chief for disposition

B. Visiting-Agency Police Vehicles (Inside City)

  • NPD scene authority > any outside administrative probe
  • Steps: secure scene, notify out-of-town agency command, seize weapons if officer incapacitated, full NPD investigation (reports, photos, evidence, enforcement)
  • Impound decisions per NPD towing policy; outside-agency wrecker honored when practical

C. Norwich-Vehicle Crashes (Outside Jurisdiction)

  • NPD member must notify HQ or request host agency to do so immediately
  • Shift Commander contacts host PD & dispatches NPD supervisor/officer to scene (unless impractical/out-of-state)
  • Purpose: parallel administrative review, evidence security, medical coordination, HQ updates
  • NPD personnel must not obstruct host agency investigation; removal of personnel/vehicle only post-authorization

VII. Follow-Up Investigations

  • Lead officer/AIRT responsible for:
    • Collecting driver/pedestrian/road condition data, insurance exchange
    • Formal witness statements (on-scene & off-scene)
    • Evidence preservation, lab submissions
    • Off-scene tasks: hospital interviews, vehicle/property inspections, personal history/DMV pulls, mechanical inspections
    • Collision reconstruction; use experts (mechanics, engineers, physicians) with Chief’s pre-approval for cost
    • Preparing/filing final reports, citations, prosecutor packet, court follow-ups
  • Vehicle impound for mechanical inspection when fatality, serious liability, or City vehicle/mechanical failure suspected; secure at PD facility; Police vehicles placed OOS until cleared
  • If internal skills insufficient/conflict of interest → request CSP crash team with Chief approval

VIII. Documentation & Report Writing

  • ALL crashes entered in RMS Traffic Module (Accident Entry)
  • Backup: complete state MMUCC paper form if RMS unavailable
  • Required RMS Tabs: Control, People, Collision completed before end of shift
  • Full report & case tracking within 33 working days; more time with supervisor pre-approval for complex cases
  • Diagram mandatory for all on-scene public roadway crashes
  • If criminal arrest associated: narrative references separate AR report with causal acts detailed

IX. Required Equipment & Forms

  • Officers to carry MMUCC pads
  • Accident diagram templates (plastic stencils) preferred; computer templates acceptable

X. Ethical, Legal & Practical Highlights

  • Administrative standards exceed legal minimum for internal discipline but do NOT create 3rd-party civil liability standard
  • Mandatory draws under CGS & DUI laws underscore constitutional necessity to AVOID “consent” language
  • Drug Recognition Expert integration reflects modern cannabis & poly-drug enforcement (Bill 1201)
  • Haz-Mat ISC aligns with NFPA & USDOT; prioritizes life/environment over evidence
  • Early notification & parallel administrative reviews maintain public trust, reduce liability, and ensure officer accountability

XI. POSTC & Accreditation Connections

  • Scene security, evidence preservation, and property control emphasize POSTC 1.2.71.2.7 (search & seizure), 1.7.141.7.14 (agency-involved crashes), 3.5.103.5.10 (traffic procedures)

XII. Real-World Relevance & Implications

  • Consistent, timely crash investigation enhances prosecution success, civil defense, data accuracy for engineering fixes
  • Use of AIRT & recon diagrams aids in court testimony, insurance claims, and municipal risk management
  • Immediate DUI sample collection prevents evidentiary loopholes; supports impaired-driving deterrence initiatives
  • Policy flexibility (storm protocols, workload triage) balances public service with resource limitations

XIII. Quick-Reference Timelines & Thresholds

  • Fatal/serious injury → AIRT, blood draw, supervisor & command notifications IMMEDIATELY
  • Delayed report threshold: >1 hr from crash / discovery (evading)
  • Report completion: ≤3\le 3 working days (standard); supervisor-approved extension for complex cases
  • DRE evaluation mandatory beginning 04/01/202204/01/2022 when medically feasible

XIV. Key Statutes & Legal Citations

  • CGS §14-227c – Mandatory chemical test post-serious-injury/fatal crash
  • CGS §14-227a – Blood-test result warrant
  • CGS §53a-3 – Definition of “serious physical injury”
  • Public Act 20-1 – Impaired driving reforms
  • Bill No. 1201 – Adult-Use Cannabis regulation (reasonable & equitable)

XV. Summary Checklist for Responding Officers

  1. Arrive safely; position cruiser for scene protection
  2. Request EMS/Fire/AIRT as dictated
  3. Triage injuries → first aid/EMS
  4. Secure hazards (fire, haz-mat)
  5. Preserve & document evidence (photos, measurements, statements)
  6. Separate parties; ID/witness info
  7. Restore traffic flow; arrange tow
  8. DUI/impairment screening & mandated testing
  9. Property safeguarding & documentation
  10. Complete RMS tabs, diagram, preliminary report before EOT (or paper MMUCC backup)
  11. Submit full crash report within 33 working days; attach photos & supplements
  12. Notify/brief supervisor when criteria met (fatal, city vehicle, haz-mat, etc.)