07-05 Service Vehicle Collisions

Question 1

What is the Rationale?

Answer 1

The Highway Traffic Act (HTA) defines circumstances where collisions are reportable and when provincial forms are to be submitted. This Procedure outlines the responsibilities and process when a Toronto Police Service (Service) vehicle is involved in a collision or when a member is investigating a collision involving a Service vehicle, in accordance with Ontario Regulation 3/99 Adequacy and Effectiveness of Police Services made under the Police Services Act, the HTA, and Service Governance.

Question 2

Supervision

Answer 2

 Supervisory Officer and Traffic Services Officer attendance mandatory for collisions involving a Service Vehicle
 Supervisory Officer notification mandatory for collisions involving a Service vehicle

Question 3

Procedure - When a member is involved in a service vehicle collision (SVC) and they are determined to be at fault, the member may be subject to the following

Answer 3

 criminal/provincial charges
 disciplinary action
 driving assessments/driver development training
 revocation of their Blue Card.

Question 4

Reporting - All SVCs deemed reportable collisions under HTA criteria, including collisions resulting from intentional contact, SHALL be recorded on a

Answer 4

SRLD401, completed in full (including diagram and synopsis), and submitted electronically to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO).

Question 5

Reporting - All SVCs deemed non-reportable collisions under HTA criteria SHALL be recorded on an

Answer 5

eReport and do not require a SRLD401.

Question 6

Service Vehicle Collision – Responsibility for Investigation -
Members SHALL comply with ______ which outlines the responsibility for collision investigations.

A supervisory officer and a TSV officer SHALL attend the scene and assume the responsibility for all SVC investigations. Subject to availability, the attending supervisory officer SHALL be from ___
Where the collision involves a vessel from Specialized Emergency Response – Marine (Marine), a _____ SHALL conduct the investigation and comply with unit specific policies.

Answer 6

Procedure 07–01

TSV.

Marine officer

Question 7

Member - When the nature of their duties requires or authorizes them to operate a Service vehicle shall

Answer 7

 meet and maintain the driving standards as set by the HTA and Toronto Police College
 comply with Procedure 15–11

Question 8

Member - When a Service vehicle operated by a member is damaged by other than a motor vehicle collision SHALL comply with

Answer 8

Procedure 15–12.

Question 9

Member - When involved in a SVC in the City of Toronto SHALL

Answer 9

 immediately determine if medical assistance is required
 immediately notify the communications operator
 notify a supervisor as soon as practicable
 record the details outlining the circumstances of the SVC
 in the memorandum book, or
 on a TPS 649 if exempt from maintaining a memorandum book
 comply with applicable sections of Procedure 07–01
 request a supervisory officer and a TSV officer to attend at the scene

Question 10

Member - Prior to reporting off duty SHALL

Answer 10

 scan copy of their memorandum book into the eReport
 record the damage on the appropriate Vehicle Damage Report in the unit file

Question 11

Member - When involved in a SVC while outside of the City of Toronto SHALL

Answer 11

 comply with item 3
 request the provincial or local municipal police agency to attend and investigate the matter

Question 12

Traffic Services Officer - When investigating a reportable SVC SHALL

Answer 12

 conduct the investigation in compliance with Procedure 07–01
 consult with the attending supervisory officer
 complete the officer information on the SRLD401 as follows
 the member’s address 40 College Street, Toronto Ontario M5G 2J3
 the member’s telephone number 416-808-2222
 the vehicle registration and insurance information as contained on the respective documents
 The SRLD401 SHALL be completed using the Versadex built-in electronic eMVA xForm and Quickscene diagramming applications.
 complete the eReport including all scanned notes and submit to the supervisory officer prior to reporting off duty, unless authorized by the Officer in Charge

Question 13

Traffic Services Officer - When investigating a non-reportable SVC SHALL

Answer 13

 comply with item 6 with the exception that no SRLD401 is required
 complete field notes with diagram or memorandum book notes with same attention to detail as any other reportable collision investigation
 complete an eReport and include the following information
 date, time and location of incident
 brief synopsis of circumstances
 description and estimated value of damage
 scan all notes into eReport

Question 14

Traffic Services Officer - When investigating a SVC involving an unmarked Service vehicle and presented with covert identification for the vehicle and/or member SHALL______. In the event the collision location is at or near a covert police facility, officers should consult with a _____ prior to entering the location on reports

Answer 14

record the particulars as described on the documents

supervisory officer

Question 15

Supervisory Officer - When notified that a reportable or non-reportable SVC has occurred in the City of Toronto SHALL

Answer 15

 promptly attend the scene to provide assistance and conduct an internal investigation
 notify the respective Officer in Charge
 ensure the collision is investigated in compliance with this Procedure and Procedures 04–21, 07–01, 13–16 and
15–17, as applicable
 ensure all witness statements and other evidence is gathered prior to reporting off duty, or make arrangements for this to be completed as soon as possible
 if the Service vehicle is equipped with an in–car camera system (ICCS) video, review the video and
 if the SIU mandate has been or may be invoked, comply with Procedures 13–16 and 15–17, if applicable
 if required for court or training purposes, request a copy of the ICCS video evidence from the Property and Video Evidence Management Unit (PVEMU) by e–mail; indicating date, time and fleet number, as soon as practicable
 conduct an internal investigation to determine if any of the following apply in relation to the involved member
 criminal offence
 provincial offence
 conduct issue
 training requirement
 no further action required
 complete a TPS 559 for each Service vehicle involved, include the circumstances of the SVC and complete the Supervisor’s Determination section
 ensure the damage is recorded on the appropriate Vehicle Damage Report in the unit file
 send a copy of the SRLD401 or eReport to the Unit Commander – Fleet & Materials Management (FLT) forthwith

Question 16

Supervisory Officer - When in receipt of a SVCR SHALL review for

Answer 16

completeness, accuracy and investigative integrity and submit to the Officer in Charge prior to reporting off duty.

Question 17

Supervisory Officer - When detailed to attend a reportable or non-reportable SVC that has occurred outside the City of Toronto SHALL

Answer 17

 promptly attend the scene to provide assistance and conduct an internal investigation
 notify the involved member’s Officer in Charge of any recent updates to the SVC
 liaise with the investigating officer and/or supervisory officer on scene
 obtain a copy of the collision report from the investigating officer
 complete a TPS 559 for each Service vehicle involved, include the circumstances of the SVC and complete the Supervisor’s Determination section
 ensure the damage is recorded on the appropriate Vehicle Damage Report in the unit file
 send a copy of the SRLD401 or eReport to the Unit Commander – Fleet & Materials Management (FLT) forthwith
 comply with Procedures 13–16 and 15–17, if applicable

Question 18

Supervisory Officer - When criminal or provincial charges are warranted against the involved member SHALL

Answer 18

 if immediate action is not required, consult with the involved member’s Unit Commander prior to laying a charge
 if immediate action is required, take appropriate action, then advise the involved member’s Unit Commander as soon as practicable
 initiate the applicable charge
 when a conduct issue is identified SHALL comply with the applicable procedures contained in Chapter 13

Question 19

Supervisory Officer - Upon receipt of a Provincial Offences – Notice of Trial SHALL

Answer 19

 assume the role of case manager, as appropriate
 comply with Procedures 12–01 and 12–08

Question 20

Supervisory Officer - SHALL consider all other factors involved in a collision and identify the appropriate measures to address them, such as

Answer 20

training, equipment placement in car, etc.

Question 21

Officer in Charge - When notified of a SVC which has occurred

Answer 21

 within the divisional boundaries, or
 outside the boundary of the members’ division and inside the City of Toronto, or
 when detailed by the Officer in Charge – Toronto Police Operations Centre (TPOC)
SHALL ensure that a supervisory officer is assigned to attend the scene and conduct an internal investigation, if applicable.

Question 22

Officer in Charge - When notified of a SVC which has occurred outside of the City of Toronto SHALL notify the

Answer 22

Officer in Charge – TPOC.

Question 23

Officer in Charge - When in receipt of a SVCR SHALL review for completeness, accuracy and systemic integrity and ensure

Answer 23

 the collision is investigated in compliance with this Procedure and Procedures 04–21, 07–01, 13–16 and 15–17, as
applicable
 if the Service vehicle is equipped with an ICCS video, the ICCS video has been reviewed and
 if the SIU mandate has been or may be invoked, comply with Procedures 13–16 and 15–17, if applicable
 a copy of the ICCS video evidence is requested from PVEMU by e–mail; indicating date, time and fleet number, as soon as practicable
 a copy of the SRLD401 or eReport has been sent to FLT
 if concurring with the report submit
 the original to TSV Unit Commander (Designate) – SVC Review
 The Service has a legal requirement to forward all SLRD401s to the Ministry of Transportation within ten (10) days of the vehicle collision.

Question 24

Officer in Charge – Toronto Police Operations Centre -
When notified of a SVC which has occurred outside the City of Toronto SHALL notify the

Answer 24

Duty Senior Officer – TPOC (Duty Senior Officer).

Question 25

Officer in Charge – Toronto Police Operations Centre - Upon notification by the Duty Senior Officer that a supervisory officer is required to attend a SVC outside the City of Toronto SHALL

Answer 25

 request the attendance of a supervisory officer from
 the involved member’s unit, or
 the division nearest to the SVC
 notify the applicable police service that a Toronto Police Service supervisor officer is attending/not attending

Question 26

Definitions - Blue Card

Answer 26

means a motor vehicle certificate issued by the Unit Commander – Toronto Police College to members who have a valid driver’s licence under the Highway Traffic Act and meet Service standards authorizing them to drive specific classes of Service vehicles.

Question 27

Definitions - Driving Assessment

Answer 27

means a practical, on–the–road driving assessment conducted by the divisional Traffic sergeant, or Traffic Services sergeant, as applicable.

Question 28

Definitions - Intentional Contact

Answer 28

means when a Toronto Police Service vehicle operated by a member intentionally comes into contact with another vehicle, person or object thus using the vehicle as a tool to stop a threat.

Question 29

Definitions - Marked Vehicle

Answer 29

means a Service vehicle used primarily by uniformed officers that:
 is clearly marked with Toronto Police Service decals along with the word “police” and is equipped with “overhead” emergency lighting visible from 360 degrees and has a forward-facing electronic siren
 meets the minimum requirements as set out in the Highway Traffic Act for an emergency vehicle, as well as Ontario Regulation 926 and Policing Standards Manual (Adequacy Standards) AI–008 for general patrol vehicles..

Question 30

Definitions - Reportable Collision

Answer 30

means every person operating a motor vehicle or streetcar involved directly or indirectly in a collision that results in personal injury, death, or property damage exceeding $2000, is required to report and furnish information forthwith to the nearest police officer in accordance with the Highway Traffic Act.

Question 31

Definitions -Service Vehicle

Answer 31

means any vehicle, vessel, aircraft or bicycle owned or operated by the Service and used to perform duties on behalf of the Service. This includes vehicles leased, owned, or rented by or loaned to the Service, or a Service trailer which is towed by a Service vehicle.

Question 32

Definitions - Service Vehicle Collision (SVC)

Answer 32

means a vehicle collision involving a Toronto Police Service vehicle where involvement is direct or indirect.

Question 33

Definitions - Service Vehicle Collision Reduction Committee (SVCRC)

Answer 33

means a panel consisting of, but not limited to, the Unit Commander and/or Designate from:
 Professional Standards Support
 Traffic Services
 T oronto Police College
with the mandate to monitor Toronto Police Service vehicle collisions for trend analysis, problem identification, quality assurance and training issues, and report its findings to the Chief of Police.

Question 34

Definitions - Service Vehicle Collision Reduction Program (SVCR Program)

Answer 34

means a program managed by Professional Standards Support which monitors Toronto Police Service vehicle collisions for trend analysis, problem identification, quality assurance and training issues.

Question 35

Definitions - Service Vehicle Collision Report (SVCR)

Answer 35

means a report consisting of:
 a SRLD401
 a copy of the traffic officer’s memorandum book notes and/or field notes
 witness statements, if applicable
 a copy of the involved member’s memorandum book notes or TPS 649
 a TPS 559.

Question 36

Definitions - Unmarked Vehicle

Answer 36

means any vehicle owned or operated by the Toronto Police Service (Service) without the identifying decals of the Service or emergency lighting system. It includes motor vehicles leased, owned or rented by or loaned to the Service. Most unmarked vehicles are equipped with a hand operated identification lamp bearing the words “POLICE- STOP”.