OREGON ELAW

  • 4.07 REPORTING ACCIDENTS/CITIZEN INJURIES FOR INSURANCE
    4.7.1 PURPOSE

    A. To establish a procedure that will result in a complete information system addressing losses or accidents.

    4.7.2 SCOPE

    • This procedure is to be used to report losses, incidents or accidents.
    Such losses or accidents include, but are not limited to, the following examples:

    • Theft of Department equipment (i.e., portable set);
    2. Fire;
    • Damage to Department owned vehicles as well as damage to a privately owned vehicle being used for City business;
    4. Damage to any citizen’s vehicle which is the result of police action;
    • Property damage incurred by a citizen as the result of action by a police officer without malicious intent;
    6. Damage to City or Department property;
    • Injuries to private citizens while in contact with the Department or any of its members.

    B. The City’s Risk Manager is to be promptly notified of any occurrences as outlined in A. 1. through 7. above. Additionally, the Risk Manager is to be promptly notified if a citizen participating in the Citizen Observer Program is injured, even though the citizen has been required to sign the Release and
    Indemnity Agreement prior to participation in the program.

    C. The “Accident/Incident and Damaged or Stolen Property Report”, hereafter referred to as the “Accident/Incident Report” is NOT to be used for reporting personal injury to Department members when there is no other related damage, loss, or injury to a private citizen. Refer to General Order 5.6 for reporting employee injuries.


    4.7.3 LOSS REPORTING

    A. The reporting of a loss to the City’s Risk Manager is the responsibility of the Chief of Police or his designee. To facilitate such reporting, it is the responsibility of each individual Department member to report such loss to their immediate supervisor and to complete the Accident/Incident Report.

    • The written report of loss will contain information as requested on the
    Accident/Incident Report. This report shall be used to report any incident as outlined in sections 4.7.2.A and B above.

    • Section II of the Accident/Incident Report shall be completed when there is a vehicle damaged. The form will be completed by the most appropriate Department member involved in the accident. In addition, a copy of the police report shall be attached to the report when forwarded. All losses, regardless of their significance are to be reported.

    • All vehicular accidents with an estimated damage of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1500.00) or more also requires the member to complete a Department of Motor Vehicles State Accident Form.
    • All vehicular accidents resulting in injury, regardless of the amount of property damage, also require completion of a Department of Motor Vehicles State Accident Form.
    3. Insurance information to include on the State Form may be obtained from the insurance card located in each vehicle.

    • Section I. of the “Accident/Incident Report” is to be utilized for reporting losses to citizen property, i.e., damage to homes due to method of entry by officers or damage to other citizen’s property. This section of the form shall also be used in any instance where a citizen is physically injured on City property or if, during an arrest, there is apparent physical injury to the subject, either self-inflicted or due to the actions of a member of this Department.

    1. If there is no apparent sign of physical injury to an arrested subject, no Accident/Incident Report is necessary at the time; however, this should be noted on the Custody form for possible future reference.
    • If the subject reports back to the Department at a later date that there was an injury due to actions by a member of this Department, a report shall be filed at that time. Photographs of all alleged physical injuries should be taken at the time the complaint is made.

    4.7.4 INVESTIGATION PROCESS

    • Traffic collisions which involve more than $1500.00 property damage, injuries, or requires the completion of a State Accident Form, will require the on duty shift supervisor to notify the Traffic Unit supervisor. The Traffic Unit supervisor shall designate, as Lead Investigator, a VCT member of an agency not involved in the incident.

    • Traffic collisions which involve less than $1500.00 damage, no injuries or does not require completion of a State Accident form, will be investigated by the on-duty patrol supervisor or a traffic officer.

    C. Traffic collisions that occur outside the City Limits of Gresham should be investigated by the jurisdiction in which the collisions occur. Members shall notify an on-duty Gresham supervisor as soon as practical. If the agency in which the collision occurred is not able to investigate the collision, the on-duty supervisor shall determine the most appropriate course of action given the circumstances.

    D. In high liability or high profile collisions, the on duty shift supervisor shall notify the Traffic Unit supervisor who shall designate, as Lead Investigator, a VCT member of an agency not involved in the incident.

    E. Members involved in traffic collisions while driving rental vehicles while away on training shall adhere to 4.7.4.C above.

    4.7.5 MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

    A. Members who have been involved in an accident or who witness a citizen injured on City property, etc. shall:

    1. Render assistance first. In the event of a minor injury, offer help and first aid.
    2. If the injured person shows signs of needing medical attention, request medical assistance.
    3. Stay on the scene to render whatever help possible. Start gathering information. DO NOT DISCUSS WHO IS TO BLAME OR WHO IS LIABLE.
    4. If at all possible, request a supervisor respond to the accident to ensure procedure is followed, or if a police supervisor is unavailable, notify Risk Management.
    5. Complete the required form(s) as outlined above and submit through the chain-of-command.

    4.7.6 DOCUMENT TRANSMITTAL

    • Submit all copies of the Accident/Incident Report through the chain-of-command to Risk Management. Note: Administration maintains a supply of the Accident/Incident Report. Additionally, Accident/Incident Reports may be obtained through “Outlook” then go to “All Public Folders” then “Risk & Safety.”

    • Submit one copy of all police reports related to the incident through the chain-of-command to Risk Management with the Accident/Incident Report.

    • Submit the original DMV State Accident form through the chain-of-command.



    Carla C. Piluso
    Chief of Police







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