SOP-37 Collision Investigation and ReportingPolice Services Division
SOP-37
December 6, 2021
SUBJECT: Collision Investigation and Documentation
PURPOSE: To establish guidelines for collision investigation and subsequent documentation.
POLICY: Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Lexipol Policy #501 governs collision
investigations.
Additional guidelines can be found in the California Highway Patrol Collision Investigation
Manual (CIM) as well as the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Report Writing Manual.
PROCEDURE: If a collision investigation is required per Lexipol Policy #501, a Public Safety
Officer will be dispatched to the initial call for service. If available, a Community Services
Officer with P.O.S.T. approved Basic Collision Investigation training may act as the lead
investigator for the following collisions:
1. Any non-injury or minor injury collision that does not involve a city/government vehicle.
2. Any non-injury or minor injury collision that does not involve a misdemeanor or felony
crime.
3. Any collision where one of the involved drivers is unable or unwilling to provide
insurance information.
4. Any Property Damage Only (PDO) collision where at the discretion of the officer or
supervisor, an investigation is warranted.
All other collision investigations pursuant to Lexipol Policy #501 not mentioned above, or at the
direction of a supervisor, will be investigated and documented by a Public Safety Officer or
Sergeant.
This procedure does not prohibit the Community Services Officer from assisting personnel with
investigations when needed or at the direction of a supervisor.