NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

2.2.1 Policies and Procedures
NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Directive 2.2 - Traffic Crashes
An officer dispatched to a traffic crash will investigate the crash in a thorough and professional
manner and will report the findings of the crash on the prescribed State of Ohio Accident Report
(OH-1) and/or its supplements. Minor, non-injury crashes occurring on private or public property
generally require the reporting of basic information. Officers should consult the Ohio Traffic Crash
Procedure Manual to determine what criteria determines a traffic crash requiring the use of the
OH-1. Officers are required to submit a detailed report/investigation for the following types of
crashes:
Fatality
Serious injury
Serious property damage
Hit and run
Impairment due to alcohol or drugs
Hazardous materials
Damage to City vehicles and/or City property
2.2.2 Traffic Crash Scene Responses
It is the policy of the Police Department to respond to all reports of serious traffic crashes.
Officers will provide emergency services while investigating the accident, recording any
evidence, and restoring the normal flow of traffic as soon as possible. In cases of less serious
crashes, it is the policy of the Police Department to place significant priority on the crash
investigation.
The responding officer(s) and/or closest cruiser (whichever is dispatched) will respond on an
emergency basis to traffic crashes involving known injury(ies) or fatality(ies). The on duty
supervisor will respond to all serious injury and/or fatal traffic crashes and may respond, as
needed, to minor injury traffic crashes.
An officer will respond as quickly as possible to crashes that involve: impairment due to alcohol
or drugs, disturbances between motorists, hit and run (having just occurred) and major traffic
congestion as a result of a crash. Officers will usually not utilize lights and sirens but may do so
with supervisory approval. The above listed crashes will usually call for a two officer response.
All other types of traffic crashes will require that one officer respond, normally proceeding to the
scene with no lights and siren. The officer may conduct other police business of a higher priority
while enroute to the crash.
A. In cases of death or serious injury at least two police units and a supervisor will respond.
Once the responding police units are safely positioned, officers should provide
emergency first aid until paramedics arrive. Once the paramedics have taken charge of
the victims, officers should survey the scene, recording and collecting any evidence,
before summoning towing authorities. Final priority should be given to restoring the
normal flow of traffic. In most instances the vehicles involved will be impounded and
may be stored for safekeeping.
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