62A - Crash Investigations - 2019

Browse Search

Policy & Procedure Page 1 of 10 Lexington Police Department Subject: Motor Vehicle Crash Investigations Policy Number: 62A Accreditation Standards: Reference: 61.2.1(a-f); 61.2.2(a-h); 61.2.3(a-f); 61.2.4; 83.2.6 Effective Date: 1/1/12  New  Revised Revision Dates: 1/24/19 By Order of: Mark J. Corr, Chief of Police The Municipal Police Institute, Inc. (MPI) is a private, nonprofit charitable affiliate of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association. MPI provides training and model policies and procedures for police agencies. This policy is an edited version of MPI Policy 5.02 “Traffic Collisions.” GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES The police function in relation to traffic collisions is varied. Aid to the injured, traffic control, investigation, enforcement, and collision prevention are some of the areas upon which the police will have an impact. An adequate response, knowledgeable performance and preventive efforts can go a long way in minimizing increased damage to property and bodily injury. Police responsibility will continue until the injured have been cared for, the collision vehicles have been removed, the roadway is clear of debris, and the traffic flow is normalized. The objective of a hit and run investigation is to determine responsibility for the collision and to identify both the offender and the vehicle involved. This is often a difficult task because the very elements of the crime include flight from the scene. Hit and run collisions may involve property, persons or both. As the circumstances are more serious when a human life is involved, these procedures are primarily directed at hit and run investigations involving persons It is the policy of The Lexington Police Department to respond to and investigate all traffic collisions requiring police response, and to render assistance to the extent possible with other crashes (such as information swaps, contacting road service).