7-506 - Investigating Hit and Run Incidents

Policy

Responding officers will investigate misdemeanor hit and run accidents at the scene. Reports shall be completed as directed in P&P 7-505. The Traffic Unit will conduct follow-up investigations on personal injury hit and run accidents. Car 710 is responsible for investigating all fatal hit and run accidents with the assistance of the Traffic Unit. Traffic Accident Investigations will be responsible for follow-up investigations of property damage hit and runs.

Officers responding to a reported hit and run should attempt to broadcast a description of the hit and run vehicle and driver as soon as possible. Hit and run vehicles located during the investigation, in plain view, shall be towed to the city Impound Lot. Vehicles located in secured areas may not be towed or searched without a search warrant. Examples of secured areas are garages, warehouses or pole barns. Assistance for writing search warrants may be obtained from Precinct Investigation Investigators, Community Response Team members, or other officers knowledgeable in search warrants.

Officers impounding a vehicle involved in a property damage hit and run shall mark the impound sheet “Hit and Run - Hold for Traffic Accident Investigations.” For example, “Hit and Run - Hold for Traffic Accident Investigations.” Officers who tow a Hit and Run Property Damage suspect vehicle shall also complete the MPD Hit and Run Insurance Follow Up form (MP-8879), and send it with the tow sheet to the Impound Lot. This form is located on the MPDNet under “Forms.”

Officers who apprehend a suspect involved in a property damage hit and run shall interview them, and if probable cause exists, issue an appropriate citation for the offense. Officers are required to make a CAPRS report, and when citations are issued, shall close the case by arrest/complaint. Officers who apprehend a suspect in a personal injury hit and run shall interview suspect when possible, gather evidence, and book if probable cause exists. Officers may consult with a Traffic Unit officer when handling a personal injury hit and run, or Car 710 when handling a fatal hit and run. Officers impounding a vehicle involved in a personal injury hit and run shall mark the tow sheet, “Hit and Run - Hold for Traffic Accident Investigations.” Officers impounding a vehicle involved in a fatal hit and run shall mark the tow sheet “Hit and Run Hold for Car 710.

Vehicles involved in pedestrian hit and runs shall be towed to the Forensic Garage for processing and protection from the elements. Pedestrian victims shall have their clothes property inventoried as evidence as soon as possible. Reports shall note from whom the clothing was obtained.

Investigators who amend hit and run state accident reports on the State of Minnesota Online Accident Reporting System, involving city or government property, shall notify the Accident/Records Unit about the amendment.

• Investigation: A structured process of gathering, examining, and evaluating facts and evidence to determine what occurred, assess compliance with laws and policies, and support appropriate actions or decisions.
• Investigators: All persons from the MPD Homicide unit and Internal Affairs unit who are conducting an investigation of the Critical Incident, unless other Criminal Investigating and Administrative Investigating Entities have been designated by the Chief of Police or their designee.
• Probable Cause: Having reasonable grounds for supporting the requested Court order, to include: search warrants, arrests or other legal process. Probable cause is required by the Fourth Amendment. Officers must have an objectively reasonable basis for believing that a crime may have been committed or that there is evidence of the crime present in the place to be searched.
• Search Warrant: A document issued by the Court authorizing the police to enter and search a person, premises, location or vehicle for purposes of evidence recovery.