First officer on the scene

(STANDARD ACCIDENT SCENE PROCEDURES)

The police officer on the scene of an accident should proceed as follows:

I. Survey the scene and determine type of aid and assistance required.

2. Call for, or have а responsible person call for, necessary assistance: ambulance to remove the injured; a tow-truck, an accident investigation squad, etc.

3. Locate operator, or operators, involved and obtain licenses, and ignition keys. Prevent driver from leaving the scene or a vehicle from being moved before the driver is authorised to move it.

4. Request capable volunteers to help safeguard the area, prevent fire, secondary accidents, and movement of injured by unskilled individuals, and the eradication of skid marks or the destruction of other physical evidence at the scene. Detour traffic if necessary.

5. Attend to the injured person or persons, make them comfortable physically and mentally, and assure them that aid is on the way-and administer first aid procedures. The treatment of shock and prevention of loss of blood are important first aid procedures in accident cases.

6. Obtain names and addresses of witnesses. Ask them what happened. Let them tell the story without interruption. Only when the story is finished should questions be asked to clarify or supplement the story of the witness. Reduce statements to writing. Question operators in the same manner and also put their statements into writing. Question each individual privately, out of hearing of the other participants or witnesses.

The officer first on the scene should make every effort to secure statements because the tendency for participants and witnesses to tell the truth in these cases varies with the time distance from the impact. The closer the questioning is to the moment of impact, the greater the likelihood of an officer securing a true statement of the events leading up to the accident and the facts of the accident.

7. If possible, obtain from the person or persons injured the following information: name; address, age; nearest relative's name, relationship, address, and telephone number; statement of what occurred; and if language barrier or unconscious, take full description of the person and clothing.

8. On arrival of other officers, take charge until arrival of superior officer or member of the Accident Investigation Squad, and then report on what has been done and the information obtained, and relinquish command at scene.

9. Police action is required, either assisting the assigned accident investigator or assisted by such officer.