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Careers: Police/Off Topic accident procedure question

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Expert: - 3/31/2008


Question
Good Evening, Commander Wagoner!
I am working on a novel and have a question about police procedure with regards to a traffic accident situation.
I have a character that is involved with an accident that involves several vehicles.  There are injuries involved and the character we are following is in the car that is thought to have been responsible for the incident.

Wat would be the procedure for questioning the individuals involved?  Would everyone not taken to the hospital be questioned on-site or would everyone be taken to the station?  Would individuals be released on their own recognisance with the instruction to come in to give a statement within a certain time frame?  What about injured individuals, would they be questioned at the hospital (depending on the severity of their injuries, obviously) or would they be asked to come in and give a statement?

I am asking these questions to try and sort out a timeline, who has to be where when, how long after the incident would it take to collect all the statements, would anyone be able to "roam free" during this time, etc...

Any help would be appreciated :)

Thank you for your time!

Answer
Hello Kimberly!

Accidents are one of my favorite topics, I teach Accident Investigation and even am published on this topic. :)

Lets address your questions one at a time, makes it easier:

What would be the procedure for questioning the individuals involved?  Would everyone not taken to the hospital be questioned on-site or would everyone be taken to the station?  Would individuals be released on their own recognisance with the instruction to come in to give a statement within a certain time frame?

These are all related to each other. If there were just injuries and no deaths, all of the people involved would be questioned on scene and then released. Since they are not involved in a crime and not suspects there is no holding anyone. In fact if someone wanted to leave and did not want to stick around, as long as they were not a driver they do not have to hang around.

What about injured individuals, would they be questioned at the hospital (depending on the severity of their injuries, obviously) or would they be asked to come in and give a statement? If they are able to speak they would be questioned at the hospital. If they were not and later were able to they would be questioned once they were able (a few days later?) or if it was all they could get, when they got out the officer investigating would either go to them or the people would come in to the station to give a statement. Like you said it all depends on the injuries.

At a crash scene (according to my State Law, FL) only the drivers need remain at the scene and give information. Anyone else has the right to leave, but almost everyone is willing to give a statement. Many think they have to.

Hope this answers your question.

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Chris Wagoner

Expertise

I have been a police officer for 30+ years! I am the Police Academy Commander at the Santa Fe College, Institute of Public Safety in Gainesville Florida It is a full service Law Enforcement and Corrections training facility. I can answer most questions concerning law enforcement procedures, law enforcement training and general questions about law enforcment. I can also answer questions about becoming a law enfocement officer. I have a booklet and web page I have written that answers many questions about how to become a police officer called "So you want to be a cop (police Officer) in Florida?", which is free, Google it.. All you have to do is ask. I teach the following subjects: RADAR/LASER, Law Enforcement Driving, Law Enforcement Firearms and Patrol Techniques, Officer Safety, WMD's for Patrol Officers, Application of Law, Communications skills, Dealing with the Mentally and physically handicapped, and many more subjects. I have worked as a subject matter expert for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and helped to write the police curriculum for the State of Florida. I like answering questions about how to become a police officer, and questions about why did an officer do this or that type questions. I also like answering any questions you may have about police work in general. I do not mind helping with homework questions or trying to answer your questions about legal subjects that I have knowledge of. You will never know the answer until you ask! If you do ask a question, PLEASE take the time to at least rate the answer. I do not get paid to answer these questions and do it on my own time. If you ask, please rate it when I answer. Thanks!!! If its a question about becoming a police officer, it may be answered here: http://sites.google.com/site/flaleohelp/ My "hobby" website - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487 Military Videos on YouTube and Facebook!!

Experience

I am a 30+ year veteran police officer, I am currently the Police Academy Commander of an Academy in North FLorida. I have been training police officers since 1993 and have trained them in all aspects of law enforcement, including firearms, Driving and legal subjects including patrol techniques and others and training all over the world. I have trained over 5000 officers worldwide in the last 16 years of training.

Publications
I am a published author in Accident Investigation from the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management. Also have written and published on the Internet, "So You Want to be a Cop (Police Officer) in Florida?" you can Google it..

Education/Credentials
I have 2 degrees, in Criminal Justice.

Awards and Honors
Phi Theta Kappa, plus 50+ Departmental Awards over the years. FBI Directors award for assisting in a Nationwide investigation into Child pornography.

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